The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-02

NoINin' that the United states was not bound TO
pay interest. Ii record in the Attorney Gene
rails office, and has been published in the Congress
sional documents. Mr.. Conrad, while a member of
Congress, was on the Galphin investigating COM
mittee, and he endorsed Mr.. Crittenden's opinion
fully in a report signed by him, made by the mi
norty of the committee. The ma ,rity of the COM
mtee, in its report, also approved of that opinion
Mr.. Conrad expressly agreed to Mr. Crttenden's
views, on the ground that the Florida case was weak
er than the Galphin case, and hadless merits We
procured copies of most of the documents at the
time, and if We can find them will publish them
hereafter, for predict that this case viii be a
fruitful topic of discussion in the newspapers and in
the next Congress. The documents we aude to
a curious collection. There were hosts of agents,
counsel, and attorneys in these Florida claims,
and numerous arguments. \. Z. Tallmadge for
mer Senator from this state, made a voluminous
written argument, and some half a dozen other
lawyers ditto.
We should be glad if Mr. Corwin's organ at
Washington, or any other organ, would inform US
when Congress made appropriation to pay this
claim for interest, and quote the words of the act.
The House Of Representatives, certainly, by its
concurrence in the report Of the Galphn inyesti-
eating committee, repudiated its allowance. The
not yet authorized the department to pay it, and
that Congress i the proper tribunal to decide to
its allowance, and the only tribunal that can al
low it,
But this i not the real question Il is one that is
vastly important and that lies the yitals
Of the government than the abstraction Of a few
hundred thousands Of dollars, more less, to
satisfy these alleged arrears Of interest Who cares
r. a.. f,Is
apart from the manner in which it was takea!
"The cohesive power Of public plumber Gas Mr..
Calhoun styled t) is the great question under
sideraton. Here we have the spectacle Of Senator
Of the United States acting the paid agent-as the
feed counsel-in claim, not from his state, before
the Treasury Department! 1t il said he to have
large contingent fee, dependent on its allowance.
Can there be practice Of more corrupting tenden-
cy than this An act Of Congress ought to be
passed to prevent members Of Congress from hiring
themselves out treasury buzzards stool-pgeons.
We intend to urge this matter to Congress at its
next session, and give good grounds for it. We
hope the House viii send for persons and papers in
sundry cases, and among them some Mexican claim
cases, and some War Department and some Navy
Department, and some General Post Office, and some
Custom House and Treasury Department cases. This
if il bc not a second bottomless pit.
Mr.. Corwns interest in the Florida case it is
said, he ha. assigned, transferred, parted with,
linqUished, Or disposed Of 1t i reported that it
was sold and thereby he has become entirely eds
interested Good Who bought that INTEREST,"
What was paid for it, The terms Of the bargain
are. il viii be seen, important in deciding to the
disnterestedness Of the Secretary Of the Treasury
III. 80 IND. 10
tary to decline deciding this case if he is inte
rested in it, i, because hs former connexon with it
may cause people to talk about it. This is a fair
presumption; and delicacy, or modesty, or honesty,
has not TOO much to 10 with IT, Why should man
Of high character aud tone, conscious Of recttude,
thus actl ii he is in his heart convinced the claim
is just and ought TO be paid, and if he i really not
interested, be would it seems to u, take pleasure
in doing justice. lie would gladly avail himself Of
the opportunity to repair openly the wrong done by
at least three preceding administrations in refusing
to allow and pay this interest.
The truth is, Mr.. Corwn ought not 70 continue
in the cabinet any longer. lie should not cucumber
the President with his presence, if he Is in position
not to be able 10 fulfil all his official duties impair
TALLY. IL i best for the country that highly honora
be gentlemen in such disagreeable positions should
qNN mere l4tntl -. Otucis hot III sutn IA
This would Be a capital course for Mr.. Fillmore to
prescribe, for many reasons. Webeleve in the salu
tary effect Of frequent changes in cabinet officers
Rotation i sublime principle Of cosmogany, astro-
nomy and optics. 1t restores the just equilibrium
70 nature and ar,-to religion or politics. Mr. Cal
houn regarded Il a. important Il i a dsinfecting
agent, as effective the chloride Of lime. No
should stay in a cabinet Office over year, except a
-.
This CoIcrnican system Of cabinet officers will re-
store our politics 70 their ancient purity Mr.. Cor
win, We believe, i really at the bottom Of half the
discomfort and dissension il the whg party. He is
the "an1iou. bench" for the Presidency, and has
been for some years lie cordially hates Webster
and Clay, and hated Taylor. lie f irs esard and
Ewing, who have, by jockeyism and foul riding
got ahead Of him in the race for abolition support
He cares Mt hg FIR Mr. Fillmore, except - far
che can use his power and patronage 70 subserve
hi. own ends lie may be formidable man some
time Or another, but not soon. IL fact, there i
CneEyed Thompson in the museum Of political
curiosites at the federal city, and Mr.. Corwin
knows who be II.
We are beginning to BE- satisfied that the best
and safest course for the President if H. wishes to
avoid trouble, !. q reform and remodel his entire
cabinet il ouce. Mr. Webster should be retained
The head of the administration. provided lie
would oto work IT once and keep at work jealous
y It'll ougres meets and wind a. foreign affairs
forthwith, II proper style. We don't want any rig
maroc Ilattudcs from his or anybody pen. "Ask
ior nothing that j. not right-submit t. nothing
tia; /. wrong i i right that W. should forbid
European mouarcheg from meddling With Amcri.
can afars-this J. the sacred soH of republican
freedom, and within t. halloved precincts their pes
itcrous systems shall not enter. Este. . pr0cui
tv,rm J4tam. Webster should have a spirited
cabinet, tAat would support him, army, navy,
MOI 81 and maids.
II th, President don't take some such step, he
Ill Lard time IN prospect. The politicians may
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