New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-02-10
Corruption IN the Goyernment-J0hnF orney-
David A. BOkee-Gen. Pierce.
Correspondence Of The n. Y Tribune
WASHINGTON CITY. Fob 4 1888

WASHINGTON CITY Feb. Z, 1853.
1t would be well, for the future Ofthe cOun-
Try If the minds and hearts ohe three orfur thousand
active politicians who have already congregated here
In anticipation of the grand division of the spois which
are to be given out after the approaching ih of March,
could be spread before the public They rush to Wash
incton to fasten themselves directly or indirectly
,pon the Treasury precisely pigs rush to the SOW
after che lies down to give them general suck.
can compare their squealng and squabbng their back
biting and pulling and hauling, to nothing else think
Of EXCEPT the homely picture mentioned above. Il Is
well known to oil observing perscns here, that from
The day on which Maxim Van Buren, entered on the
discharge Of the duties of the Presidency present.
corruption has been rapidly growing in all the branches
Of the Government until men seek offices for them
selvcs and their immediate friends, not so much TO
achieve the engagement ofegitimste pcrquses as to
reap surrepttously profits which are as questionable
in morals as in law. Under the administration of Nil
lard Fillmore this game has 10 what II is to be
hoped may prove its climax. There has hardly been
week in the last three years wherein some leading
New-York appGntee OF Mr.. Fillmore has not visited
Washington paid Attorney, for some party or par
hes whose purposes against the Treasury sfthe United
States are not to be carried out under the sdninstra-
sion OF public affairs founded honesty and justice
towards the public service which, in other words,
can only be "put through by gentleman whose
peculiar relations towards those in power renders him
able at all times TO obtain favors not granted 10 all in
discriminatory, who have dealings wtUhe various
Bureaux at Washington. Daring his life time. the
late Ex-Governor, John Young the leading broker
engaged in this particular business Since his death,
Mr. David A. Bokee appears to have stepped into his
shoes There leo gentlemen OF the oh.r npol-
siics who ambitious OF stepping into Mr. Boxes
shoes after 4,h March next do not know how can
better Illustrate Whist mean than by calling 10 the
recollection Of your readers the agency of ExGover
nor John Young in negotiating Mr.. George Laws pur-
chase Of interest in the Gardner Claim II seems
10 me that the prominent seekers after Office are
now, all of them gentlemen famous here for pavtcpa
tion in questionable payments from the National Treas
sury. That is, they are the parties who make most
noise over their respective claims upon the in-coni-
ing Administration. Unless General Pierce has more
decision of character than almost any proni
aent in public life. such friends will swamp bis Ad
1ninistrston ere the hrsi twelve months Of is lifetime
h ended They have talent, energy, specioasness and
thorough organization the purpose Of which 20 help
I'll Of their class into Office or, to I'LL the Offices with
gentlemen VIGOROUSLY unable to resist their blandsh
ments Nought will save Franklin Pierre from falling
snto the snares spread for him by these people bat
bold and thankless efforts of true friend who not
wanting Office for himself any else, may venture
DO tell him the history Of the connection OF each of
them no, only with politics, but with schemes the
Treasury Of the United States. The fac, that General
Pierce IL not identified with either clique Of the Demo
cratic party about quadrupe the attendance Of the
wire pullers at Washington on the fourth OF March
next. Had Buchanan been nominated, IL would hardly
have been worh the while" Of any but his local man