Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-09-30
LOcofocO Corruption at Washing
ten.-Shall it be Rebuked +!

tGn.--Shail it be kebukeG
Both houses of Congress have elected
Robert Armstrong editor of the Washing
ton Union, public printer for Congress and
the Executive Departments. Upon this
we quote the following remarks from the
North Americans correspondent:
"Ever since the formation of the gov
ernment, the printing of the Executive de-
nartments has been under the exclusive di-
rection of the different members of the
Administration for the time being TAX
ing the prices now allowed, the printing
of these Departments alone, from the
natural increase of business, would pro-
vide large fortune for any man in three
years; while the printing of Congress ad-
ded thereto, would furnish fortune an
nually. The Patent Office Report, which
has yet to be ordered, will put $50, 900
clear profit, and more, intOthe pockets 9fthe
Democratic organ. Thus far, little pub
lie printing has been ordered; and the
Committee may accept or reject what has
been executed or is yet to be presented
Of all the schemes and contrivances that
have lately been carried through Congress,
tbs IS the most sagnifcent speculation and
spoliatiOn oi tie Treasury, The parties
Immediately interested could afford to
give 100000 for the operation, and con-
slider themselves very lucky individuals
This is legislative "Galphinism" with
vengence-a restoration OF the old Van
Buren, regime, by which Blair and the
kitchen cabinet fobbed their millions"
The Washington correspondent of the
Harrisburg Union (Loco) says on the
same subject:
"Gen. Armstrong has been elected prin-
ter to both Houses, and his fortune is in
sured. Under the present bill he cannot
fail to become rich, and if | must speak
what [ think, say the Union deserves it
at the hands of the Democratic party"
This is but foretaste of the corruption
which will be practiced if Pierce should
be elected Presidential corruption pre-
ciscly similar to that practiced under Van
Buren,, which shocked the moral sense of
the whole country and largely contributed
to the reaction which in 1S40 drove the
plumbers from power.
See what Congress has done. It has
changed the practice and made the prin-
ter for Congress, the printer for the Exc
.cutive Departments post which viii
give its occupant IA fortune annually!"--
1t has given him prices, az which out of
one job be will clear at least $50, 900, and
by which he will amass an immense a.
mount of money at the p~55ic cxpenSe!--
He will grow rich, not because by indust-
ry, economy and working at fair prices,
he deserves to become rich; but it is be-
cause he is publisher of Locofoco pa
per, that he has procured ''fat" con-
tract-has been able to make "magnif-
cent speculation" and to fasten himself
and his minions upon the public Treasu-
ry.
This is one step in the renewal of the
worst corruption of the Van Buren, period,
one of the greatest abuses of which was the
union of q public printer and partizan ed
itor in the same person-the building up
Of huge newspaper establishment with
all its afinities towards the men who gave
1t patronage and plunder, and against
the people to whose interests they were
bound by no such golden ties. The move
ment recently made by Congress origina-
ted in corrupt desire to support par
ty press out of the public funds 1t is
time the people should awake to the evil
and ere it be too late check this tenden-
cy to corruption by keeping out of power
the party which now boldly and bravely
attempts it. The issue is an important
one. Shall it be decided in favor of Pierce
and his party who have done this act, or
Scott and those who think with him and
denounce this monstrous offence to public
morality!
Post Office Envelopes.
III, 1 q