The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-12
When the Native American reform party got

When the Native American reform party got |
into power here some years ago, by the same |
sort of ultra-vi rtuous can't the greatest expec-
tations were entertained by the citizens that
New York was then to become the envy OF
all other cities in the world for its good
government; but the reformers proved them
selves to be pack of the greatest ras-
calls that ever this city was cursed with.
That and various other experiences OF the same
kind make us very sceptical as to the extra
ordinary virtues possessed and to be displayed
by the new representatives ofreform. Many OF
them are very likely, men of good standing
among their ighbors-honest and upright in
their personal dealings; but then it is often
the case that such persons do not take any very
remarkable interest in public affairs. Others
are, however. as we have said, disappointed
disciples of one or other of the political parties
and have imbibed their notions Of public mo-
rality from these seminaries. All are more or
less open to the same sort of temptation which
played such terrible work with the morals and
reputation of the last Common Council, and we
do not expect that they will show any greater
firmness in resisting it. While, however, we
are not among the believers in the superior
sanctity of the new municipal boards, and do
not expect to see them u jot or little better
than their predecessors, we are determined 10
give them every fair play, scrutlnize and DIS
cuss their doings, and praise their honesty or
expose their roguery, just as their conduct may
warrant us in doing. They have very wide
margin and fair field TO prove themselves better
administrators of the city government than
those we have been recently blessed with, and
we should be very much pleased if they do SO.
THE C1ERKsHIp OF TIE HOUSE, OF REpREsEN-
TATIvEs--C Col. FoRNEY IN TIE FIEID-The
Washington letter writers have been recently
naming various candidates for the clerkship OF
the House of Representatives; but none is
mentioned so frequently in their communica-
tions as Col. Forney, who filled the post during
tne last Congress. 1t is well known that after
he was appointed, in December, 1851, deve-
Opponents transpired. which, if they had been
brought out little sooner, would have pre-
vented him from obtaining the Office, or any
other place Of trust or honor in the power of
the House to bcstow. We allude to his letter
to his friend George Roberts, editor OF Bos-
ton paper, which was given in evidence in the
Forrest case on the 10th OF January, 1852, and
published next day in the HERALD, in the re-
port of the proceedings. The proposition made
to Mr.. Roberts in that letter, was of such q
nature as to preclude the possibility of his
election 1t was nothing less than plan for
getting up what is well known in this commu-
nifty as "sfool pigeon evidence" in order to
carry doubtful point before q respectable
jury. Here is an extract from the letter =
On this evidence with the other coprmatory proofs,
he ForresD intends applying to our Legislature for
divorce; but you are now in position to serve him
in manner he rerer ,csH forget. The person who
wrote TO Mrs. r., end 10 whose company she was de-
tected, is George Jameson, now playing az New Or.
leans. II you don't know him. you can, the editor
of leading daily paper, sooD make his acquain-
lance What Forrest now desires, TO chnch the nail
to Obtain IN SINE acay an admission from Jameson.
/ Damed yOn to him as a safe, st5sdy, and in
tellgent friend, and he will never forget whoterer
yon aaay do for HIM, IN this, to him, most vital
after. He suggests that you might institute mt
relations ,oith HIM. and then induce him, either
al y0Rr 7reseTce or an company, TO admit rs q
Mang TO be proud ofls connection Nth Mrs. r. lie
is fond ola glass, and possibly IN conriviol mood
might become c0mmu'stcat &c. No harm will come
to him. he is game too small for Forrest, an any ad
mission he may make may be important only as
aiding an injured man in getting relieved from a
hateful bord. Can yon manage tbs thing, my
frend2 twin require skill and caution, and If sue
cessful will warmly endear you to Forrest He is
nearly crazy at the idea IF being placed in his pre-
SEPT position b he acR spend holfe is north to be
refitred from 10. This matter must be kept Sc
cret. Above ell, do rot name me in connection with
it. Excuse me for troubling you in regard to it.
My ardent attachment to glorious Forrest must be
my excuse. Now, won't you help to relieve him?
1t would help in the matter probably, to know that
Tnh lroan fhna afa IN, M nrInn tc <tnA
warm friend Of Forrest, and may know Jameson
we'll. You can use your own discretion in letting
him know the facts, and invoke his aid.
No matter what may have been the character
Of Mrs Forrest--no matter whether all that
was alleged against her by her husband was
true-the proposition here made to overthrow
that man whose morality could sink SO low
as to be guilty of it, is utterly incapactate for
any honorable Office under our government.
Colonel Forney is represented to be an ami
able man, and it is said he has made great
many friends. He has been politician, too, in
Pennsylvania for long time, and has gained
some character for tact and skill among the de-
mocracy. He is also said to be a member of
the kitchen cabinet, of which Caleb Gushing is
the chief cook and has been employed all sum-
mer in writing articles in defence of the admin
istration for some Of the commonplace journals
of the large cities.
All these things may work somewhat in his
favor among the mere partisans of the Cabinet
but any public man aspiring to place re-
curing SO much integrity and honor, and who
has been shown in court of justice to have
made such proposition as Forney has made, is
wholly unworthy of any Office Of trust, honor,
or emolument at the disposal Of any branch Of
the government. We have no personal Objec
ton to Mr. Forney, for we have very little
knowledge Of him. He may be estimable
in private life. and in other respects he may