The daily union., 1852-02-15
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.
From ou New York Corrs.ponasnt.


General .dbass Of Ms Legislative funeson--Dsarth Of
Ns9s-EHu1 Of Spsete.-Cuy itsns.
While matters political and industrial are going on
prosperousy and well throughout Stale. the legsla
ure OF New York, following the example Of other pub
lie bodies oil greater less dignity and Importance, is
wasting its time and the peoples money IN the con-
sderaon OF distractions and the discussion OF impfae'
teable and uncaedor reforms Day after day is passed
in amending laws which work well aud need no amend
ment dixie those OF libel and common schools in de.
vsng 10 make the people vrtuoas by force OF e-
gal enactnents, 10 make them rich BY economzing
few dollars out OF the wages OF those who dig their ca
nails or do their printing Meantime. the real business
of the community neglected, and It's best interests are
suffering from the inaitenton OF those TO whose care and
supervision they have been in,rusled.
This abuse of the legislative function is the eproach
of our free institutions and unhapply il obtains lar and
wide throughout the land From the American Congress
down. where will you find public representative body
that is free from it There is but has its class
of men OF narrow grasp OF minds and contracted views,
who still possessed with the most nordnate desire 10
figure in debate, and their names in print Unable to
gapple with subjects OF great and general interest," CON
scous of their ncapaey TO discuss with the statesmen
and politicians OF the day the weighty topics and mo-
Ementous themes which concern the common veal and
riyet the attention of those who study TO promote it, they
find it Indispensable 10 start some minor question, OF
trivial import upon which they have their little say,
and pending the forced consideration OF which they can
exhibit their oatorca Abilities no matter at what loss OF
precious time and opportunity
| 1t is but year two ago, that we had in Congress
striking illustration of this abuse OF the time and pa
tence of those who inclined to transact the real busi
OF the naon in the introduction and proaced dis
cussion of the mileage question The great affairs OF
State our foreign and domestic relations, the army, the
navy, the execution of trea,ies the collection and dis
busement Of the revenue-matters of weghtes moment
all had to be showed one side, neglected. and delayed,
while self important busy body, with some half dozen
assistants Just competent to the task overhaued the pay
roll and examined the accounts OF members OF Congress-
to see if had not accidentally received few
dollars than his actual expenses from his home to
the seat Of government. This mighty investigation was
persisted in TO the interruption OF everything else, at the
expense of some four five thousand dollars day,
until money enough had been sunk in the undertaking
to make up double all that had been lost by extra
mileage and for what To enable few miniature states
men, whose mental calibe barely qualified them TO admin
lister the affairs Of Llpu TO exhibit upon vast STAGE
and before mighty people, patriotism upon small SCALE
and abilities with difficulty dscernble by the naked
eye. This year we treated with similar exhibit
ton at Albany as well at Washington, upon
the subject of public printing. II was formerly
the custom everywhere for the dominant party in
every legislative body TO employ the press which was It's
organ at the OF government 10 execute such printing
as the public service required, at fair remunerating
price Why the dominant party should not do this as
well bestow upon those OF It's own political faith the
offices within its gift, IT is hard to Nor is it easy TO
discern any advantage which has been is likely TO be
gained by departure from this long established and time
honored usage But the public printing has got to be
comparatively matter of pecuniary Importance
and although the amount to be saved by having II execu
ted in the cheap and hasy instead OF the respectable and
substantial style, is but hing still the aggregate to be
paid for the performance OF the work in any way forms
considerable item, and one quite large enough to be
seized upon by statesmen OF the Llputan stamp
topic OF discussion adapted to their mental grasp, and
we'll calculated 10 afford them opportunity OF exhibiting
their acq uisitions in political economy.
Now, that this subject may very well suit the purpose
of the class to whom have adverted, will not pre-
tend to deny; il may serve them admirably as theme
upon which enlarge, and expataie. and display their.
powers of oraloy, and their patotism small scale
but the question is whether il is worth while TO depart
from the ancient usages OF the party, and interrupt and
postpone the serious and important business OF the
country for the sake OF indulgng set of aspiring
bodies who only intent upon gaining notoriety for
themselves regardless OF the public interest conve-
lnience,
i, really seems 10 us that the democratic party while it
has the power should justice ise and TO the country
come forward and put stop 10 this waste OF time,
opportunity, and money, by dsposlng OF such minor
questions in accordance with It's original rule and
custom, and devoiiDg its energy and attention TO the
wegh,ier matters OF public interest and concern which
are pressing upon the councils OF the nation II quite
seek TO secure the public patronage for the support OF the
presses which have served their mouthpieces, but
would il be either just or polite in the democracy TO ac
cede TO their preensions Is it possible that the party
which is and ever has been the bulwark and defence of
the Union and Constitution hesitate whether 10
tend it's countenance and favor 10 the organ which has
devoted itself 10 the great work OF reorganization and
consolidation, aid in the maintenance and encourage
ment OF It's deadlest opponents-the unscrupulous nsu
ments OF dssenson, sedition and dsunionl Such was
not the policy OF the democracy in its palmy days Of
disputed powersuch is not the policy that will perpetu
ate its present pedomnance in the national halls OF egs
laon.
We still without intelligence of much interest or
importance, either foreign domestic. The Pacific is
rdue, having been already 10 days her passage,
and we have no late arrivals from California The Nj
agara took nearly million in specie, which makes the
whole amount exported since the commencement of the
present year about five millions. This far exceeds
receipts thus far and, from all appearances, there is
reason apprehend that the dsproporton will be in
creased hereafter. Notwithstanding the immense re-
ceips during the last year from California, the balance
our favor but million, the exports having been
forty -four millions TO foryfvc millions of imports this
year. Unless be taken TO check the drain,
! the scales will turn against u.s. and that to startling
fairs when the agents oil foreign despos permitted
without let hnderance, TO extract from our body pol
tic the very sincws of and TO leave us exhausted
and helpless
The Common Council OF New York have passed