American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-03
WATcH-HoUsE RETURNs.-We learn from the
Republic that during the past month there were
received into our City Watch house:

received into our City Watch-house:
1 Colored people, oil
Foreigners, '' %
White Americans, %
Total, los
Foreigners who have been several years in
this country are seldom the subjects of police
care. The bad among them reform their habits
or die off very soon Though our climate is far
from unhealthy, there is something in it and its
vicisstudes under which the European of sloth-
full and dissipated habits soon sinks Could the
number Of those who arrive on our shores in
any one year, and the portion of that number
who survive at the end of five years, be ascer-
tanned, the truth exhibited would be truly ap-
palling
We see these people arriving in tens of thou
sands, and often the thought occurs that so
great an influx must un -Americanise American
society; yet, except when they unwisey con-
tinue to cling together in communities, in the
lapse of the time we have named, death will be
found to have removed fearfully large proper
ton, while they who remain have acquired
practical knowledge of the habits and customs
Of Americans.
The negro, however, is not improving in this
city, but deteriorating. Idleness, sloth i'm
morality, and physical suffering prevail among
them to such an extent, that they who do for
short periods 60 out to service are unpleasant
and dangerous inmates of our houses, while
hundreds and thousands of them are crowded in
novels in several portions of the city, in the
midst of disease and unclcanliness. An inspec
ton Of their houses and knowledge of their
mode of life would. astonish any one who has
not looked into the subject We commend it to
our worthy Mayor and the officers acting under
| him.
1t is proper, however, that we should add
that many honorable exceptions may be found
to this description; but where negro or mu-
atto endeavors to perform his duty and live
respectfully, he has to encounter the prejudices
excited by the miserable habits of the masses.
A Charge OF DIal-Administr
| The following has been handed US for publ
| cation, bya gentleman who assures us its state
ments are accurate. We do not profess to have
any information in regard to it ourselves, but
as the writer is responsible, and the subject of
public interest, we do not hesitate to give place
to his communication
To the Editors Of the american Telegraph.
GENTLEMEN: 1t has been said and often re-
lterated, that the people hare right TO know
how their affairs are administered by their SER
wants. 1t is therefore my purpose to inform
them by the Telegraph, as your paper is the
usual channel through which the people are in
formed of the ,mal- administration of their Gov
vernment
Well, to begin, it will be remembered that
Judge Hail. the late Second Comptroller, hav-
ing received am appointment to settle California
land titles, resigned his post Of Second Comp
troller, on the 10th of September last, and that
James Madison Cults, the chief clerk of that
office, was appointed Comptroller pro tenn, until
the Hon. +. j. Phelps (the present Comptroler)
should arrive and be installed, which happened
on the 1st instant. This, without any other
appointment, would leave the chief clerkship
Udcant pro tenn No appointment was made, and
the salary Of this office was without legal
claimant up to payday, the Both of September ;
but by hocus-pocls ideal promotion, they man
age to appropriate il thus: The clerk standing
next in point of salary to the chief clerk is
promoted to this position, his place being taken
by the clerk Immediately below him; and thus
were all the clerks in this office promoted for
no other purpose than to receive the additional
salary these positions would give them; and to
the honor Of some, be it said, they refused to
receive the additional salary
1t now becomes the people to inquire if it was
1 by authority of law this money was paid. 1t
| has been thought heretofore that it required
| written appointment from the President or Sec
rotary to on office before the peoples money
| could be drawn from the Treasury to pay for
the services of the incumbent; but it would ap-
pear that no such warrant is required for clerks
in the Second Comptroller's Office, and that it is
not necessary to actually fill the Office to entitle
the ideal clerk to the salary; and more espe-
cially that some one in that office has the power
to make appointments and promotions. This is
certainly new discovery, and for which Mr.
Corwin ought to be truly thankful, as it will
transfer applications and applicants for appoint
ments in this office to the party having the
power, as it would appear by this novel pro-
ceeding Another point is established, to wit:
that gentlemen who desire to serve their country
IN office should apply in the proper quarter here
after, and not harass the Secretary with a mar
rative Of their patriotic services to induce their
appointment
Should the First Auditor think proper to
pass these remarkable salary accounts it will
be confirmation strong" that this financial feat
has the authority of law and that some one in the
Compuoller's office can appoint and promote
to office. This will be good news to unsuccess-
full applicants for office, and inspire them with
the courage to apply for preferment in quar-
ter where they may have more hope of success
than some have had heretofore with the Secre-
tary. AN OUTSIDER
WASHINGTON, October 3, 1851.
A number of partridges have lately been seen
in town. Several were killed. We do not
know why they should take refuge in the streets
OF town, at this season.-Ater. Gazette.
Because, having more confidence in your DO
lipo thap