The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-05-10
For The Southern Press.
Relies Of Ssraps And musings.

BOARDS OF OFFICERS, ETC.


BOARDS OF OFFICERS, ETC.
never knew much benefit derived from ap-
poin ting several men to do what single man
would in all probability do much better Though
in the multitude Of counsellors there may be
safety, it is not so with multitude of actors,
without head, and each one equally indepen-
dent. The chances are ten to one that the
members differ with each other, and that the
most fluent tslker, or the most obstinate gno-
ramus will have his own way at last. The
greater the number acting in body, the less
the responsibility of each individual member,
and hence we find corporations and legislative
assemblies often acting in such an unscrupu-
lous manner, that they are proverbially said to
have no souls. The old Congress of the con-
federation in the first years of the revolutionary
war fell into this error. They appointed boards
without number: board of war, a board OF
supplies, and board for almost every thing.
Experience gradually taught them better; and
the expiring system was finally knocked on the
head by joke Of Judge PETERS, of Philade-
phia man of great wit, well as talents, and
| learning. member who had not lost his faith
in multitude of counseors, OH one occasion
moved the appointment of number of new
boards, when the judge rose and gravely pro-
posed as an amendment, that the word "shingle"
should be substituted for that of "board." This
ually fell into dsrepute, and was finally aban-
doned.
CANDIDATES.
| There is venerable old saying "that we may
have too much Of good thing" and this is
most especially true of candidates for the Pres
idency, who are becoming so numerous that the
people are worse off than the long cared animal
in the fable, for, instead of being between two
bundles of hay, they are distracted by choice
among dozen. The word candidate, we are
told, is derived from candidus-wh ite-and
originated in republican Rome, where every
candidate for the suti'rages Of the people was
obliged to solicit votes clothed in white gar
ment from head to foot. in order to make him
more conspicuous l am inclined to think that
| if this custom were to be adopted in the United
States, and every candidate be compelled to
make stump speeches in white sheet, as if do
ing penance, it might have n good effect in de-
creasing their number. BY the way-does it
not seem rather odd that the Secretary of State,
and the head of the army should be entering
the lists against the President who appoints
them both? And might not General SCOTT be
court martialed for characterization to the com
mander-in-cbief?
DIVISION OF TIE sPoILs.
| Our party contests are every day becoming
more VIGOROUSLY mere scrambes for the loaves
and fishes, and we see the most bitter oppon-
cnts cordially uniting in their division. I'm Bos-
ton we SEQ coalitions of different parties sacr-
ficing their political principles, for the purpose
of making an amicable distribution of Offices;
) in New York the loaves and fishes have been
equally divided among Freesoilers, Barnburn-
ers, Old Hunkers, Anti Renters, Wings, Demo-
Gratis, andAbolitionists in Missouri among Ben
ton and Anti-Bentonites; and at Washington
an attempt is making to divide the printing
spoils between the organs of the two opposite
parties. The process is as simple and easy as
kiss your hands, and consists merely in agree
ing to say nothing about the great principles
at issue between them. These are of no use
whatever, except in appeals to the people, who
are persuaded that as "silence gives consent"
their own party has gained the victory. What
is, however, Of much more consequence, the
most hungry and noisy dogs cease barking,
each being Quoted by bone. Experienced
trading politicians, commonly called old fogies'
know very well that firebrand smokes most
when out of the chimney, and that the sooner
it is in it's proper place, the better.
EY~ The following letter from the Hon. VIM.
C. DAWSON showing that a certain class of SOL
diers in Georgia, those engaged in removing the
Cherokee Indians in 1897 and '38, are entitled
to bounty lands under the act of March, 1852
will be read with peculiar interest by those in
terested:
WASHINGTON CRY, May l., 1852.
SIR: By the act of Congress passed the 22d
of March, 1852, the soldiers called out by State
authority and subsequent to June, 1919, paid by
the United States, are entitled to bounty lands
The soldiers Tin Georgia. engaged in the re-
mova of the Cherokee Indians in 1887 and '3S
are entitled, and it has been so decided by the
proper authority. You will please give this in
formation, which will serve reply to the nu-
merous letters have received, and oblige many
of your readers.
Very respectfully,
VIM. c.. DAWSON.
LATE AND INTERESTING FROM MExIco.-By |
advices from the city of Mexico to the 18th ult,
we learn that Santa Anna has written letter to
his partisans declaring that he will furnish them
with no moro funds for revolutionary purposes;
that he has already sent them $l5O,0O0, which
they have squandered; that they have basely
and viainously deceived him; and that they
are set of miserable towards, terrified by the
bare mention of Arsta's name.
Letters from Camargo say that Carvajal has
IL A FOR L;,l