The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-10

By the intelligence heretofore published, it win
Rave been observed that there 10 sQne prospect Of
,er.ain Developments being soon made, disclosing
he character % The modern mystery OF Galphinism,
Is Il has been called. The special committee OF the
Senate, it seems, has been collecting evidence on
his subject for some time and according to all
accounts that have leaked out, thus far, there VIII
be curious disclosure Of the progress Of Gaphinism
under the administration and cabinet Of General
Taylor, as well rs under that Of Mr.. Fillmore. IL
is singular fact too in the developement OF this
mystery, that the committee Of the Senate and the
President of the United States are both engage a
in trying to unravel the same entanglements- the
ore in the shape Of collecting evidence ,,efore a
committee, and the other in the form Of producing
the evidence before Grand Jury, " d procuring
indictments for offences thereby com. aitted.
Galphinism! What is it G1ptiinism. We hear
great deal about it; but what are its essential
features! Let us try to sz.rlain For some years
part it he's been the Iabit Of members of both
houses Of Congress, and also Of members Of the
cabinet, to beaomevin their individual capacity as
lawyers-agchts or counsel to persons institutng
CLAIMS against the government. In assuming the
character of agents or counsel to such claimants,
they generally make arrangements with them to
ego snacks in the amount recovered, taking either
one fourth, one-half, some such proportion, and
giving as little they possibly can to the claimant
Sometimes these members of Congress or members
Of the cabinet will assume this position with regard
to different claims; and sometimes, again, seve-
RI. members win become associated in pushing
forward the claim against the government.
The situation which they thus occupy in regard to
these claims is called by themselves and their friends
species Of private business, with which the govern
ment has nothing to do. But, es is very well KNOWN
the positions which they hold public men-either
as members Of the Senate, members Of the House,
or members of the cabnet-are their principal
recommendation to the claimants, in selecting such
individuals their counsel or their agents. 1t is
also expected that such members and agents should
exert all their influence, in every reasonable way to
get the claim recognized, being paid one fourth,
one-third, half, according to the terms pre-
viousy agreed upon.
This is correct description we believe, Of what
| is denominated Galphinism. 1t acquired that name
from the Galphin claim having been the first one
publicly discovered in which members of the cabinet
| and members Of the administration were concerned
in double eapacity--as private agents and public
officers. 1t will be very well recollectcd that the
cabinet of General Taylor would have exploded on
| the Galphin claim, with which Mr.. Crawford, one
Of its members, was connected, but for the sudden
and unex pected death of the President himself,
which, of course, broke up the whole concern
The commission for settling the Mexican claims
furnished a wide field for the practice Of similar
operations in the financial science of Galphinism.
Stories have been circulated again and again
through the country, to the connection with GER
tain members Of Mr. Fillmore's cabinet with these
mysteries. Such stories have at last found their
way into positive accounts before committee of the
Senate, of which Mr.. Soule is chairman, and COM
mittee Of the people, otherwise known the Grand
Jury. The revelations which may be expected from
both these sources in short time will undoubtedly
help to break up and put end to the financial
science of Galphinism, as it has been heretofore
practiscd by certain distinguished members Of Con-
gress and members of the existing administration.
Let us wait with patience until all these mysterious
affairs are fully developed.