The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-21

CONVENIENT MALrRAcrlcEs AT WAsHISGTos.-
During ths last few years, it has been generally ac-
knowledged that the venality and corruption in
certain intersticcs Of the government at Washing
ten, both executive and legislative have increased
to an mmeasurable extent, and are still increasing
with the growth Of the population and the album
dance of public revenue. Indeed, Satan himself
has been shocked ut this increase. public man
of twenty-five years ago, either in the cabinet or in
Congress il he turned up now, would be considered
a puritan, according to the standard Of the present
day. The increase Of luxury, the growth Of profit
gacy, the shamel Of politicians at Washing
ton, are far ahead of population, revenues,
our resources, physieal deveopement great as
they all are.
One of the truest pictures Of this condition of
things at Washington, both in the Legislative and
executive departments Of the government is traced
with terseness and perspcuity in the following re-
markable passage, taken from interesting edi-
torial article recently published in the PhIaddphl
North Amoicon, a journal known to be the pro-
perty Of ex-Secretary Clayton, and the channel
through which he communicates his notions Off
cial vice. and his ideas on cabinet rascality to the
public
From the Philadelphia North Americana
Practices have become common at Washington, which
if continued must eventually end in prostitution Of
the legislative authority to the most mercenary designs
1t IL secret, there or here that the gigantic schemes
which have been brought forward during the last few
Of which have succeeded and others Of which
still pending-haye been supported and carried
through by persons sitting the floor either counsel
o remunerated by contingent interests. We have
reason to believe II an Investigation had been or
dered during the last Congress, that most astounding
Developments Of this character would have been elected
Another-and, in view, equally reprehensible
practice-has grown up into profession at Washington
We the practice OF members Congress onicating
counsel for claimants before the departments Every
body knows that the official position Of members gives
them access to the public iunctionaries and to the
public archives with other privileges which private cit
enjoy and, therefore il is not only grossly
indicate that they should engage such pursuits but
it involves in snail degree abuse OF trust which
should be condemned These suggestions will explain
partially why it happened that legislation much
neglected at the last session. and the anxiety Of members
to carry particular projects in preference to the git
mate business Of their constituents 1t is high time the
pres should take up these subjects and discuss them
with freedom, before they assume shape which may
require severe remedy
1t is indeed high time that the press should take
up these subjects and discuss them with freedom, in
order to ascertain whether there is moral principle
moral feeling enough in the present generation
to bring about reform of the practices that have
been growing up at Washington for some years past.
The allegations made by Philadelphia cotem-
porary against the members of Congress in lump,
can, with the same preprety, be extended to those
and also to some of those boards to whom
trusted the investigation of claims and the settle
ment of such matters for the benefit of claimants.
When Congress shall meet at Washington there
will be time enough to begin the deyeopement Of
their transgressions, and to indicate the necessity
there exists for change in the conduct and prnci
Piles which have hitherto regulated them. AT the
present time, the members of the cabinet, with the
heads of bureaus well those forming the recent
boards for claimants, ought to be particularly
cd that their conduct in recent transactions has
been watched and recorded and that practices have
been INDUCED in of O nature far more questionable
than those which assisted to break up the Galphin
cabinet of General Taylor. We have already al
luded to the Florida claims to the Mexican claims,
and We now add to them the decisions given by
tain cabinet members in reference to certain con-
tracts for doing public works. authorized by the last
Congress- particularly dry docks all over the
country. President Fillmore, we believe, is COM
paratively an honest and honorable man he is,
however, weak. rather vain, and easily imposed
upon. From facts recently come to our knowledge,
we are perfectly satisfied that the present cabinet,
with some one or two exceptions, are utterly unfit
to be maintained in their positions, If there any
proprety in discountenaneing the Galphin practices
Of General Taylor's cabinet, and Of kicking it out
Of favor and place after his lamen.ed deccase.
We shall enter upon this subject circum-
santally at early day.