The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-06-29
CITY OF WASH NGToN.
WEDNESDAY, MORNING, JUNE 20. 1863.
Frauds upon tho Treasury.

tional committee OF 1852" The editors OF that paper call
10 aid 10 ieretRg out aud exposing the facts, and
deem duty 10 respond promptly TO their CALL by
directing the attention of the parties implicated 10 the
charges made against them They made with so sig
nihcan, tone OF confidence. and specified with mach
mnuteness dates and other details that the article
TO TO carry its face strong indications that
the charges we'll founded But il the editors OF the
Union and American have been msinformed. The parties
involved in The alleged dsgaceful transactions canno
hesitate forward and accept The challenge tor an
authoritative denial which is boldly thrown at their
feet II not mistaken, the postmaster at Boston,
who is alleged have refused TO submit 10 the ex,or
lions OF "Messrs. Smith and WARREN" is yet in office
We are at some loss 10 how he can expect TO
remain the depositary oil such evidences of official
souptions Ilanly charged to be in his posses
son and retain that character for scTupulous honesty
which seems 10 have actuaed his conduct in the affair
AS the case is stated in the Union and American, he
deserves credit for his mness in resisting the corrupt
exac,ions pernaciousy pressed upon him. Bat in
our opinion he owes il 10 his own character, and 10 the
promotion OF Official integrity, 10 make clear breast by
exposing fully this nelarous attempt 10 parayze the
elective franchise.
We took occasion on yesterday TO aule to the popu-
der the late administration had become debased AT the
time of preparing that article We had not received the
Unien and American containing the disclosures which
we have been commenting. II these disclosures turn
GU, to be true they show how well founded the
vcion which the popular mind acted in the late cleo.
ton, and they point out the path Of duty 10 this admins
ration with unmisakeable clearness. The fact cannot
be disguised or evaded that the wing party received
u. a.. nC
Taylor undertook justify the allowance of the Galphn
claim On this subject the reasoning of the Public mind
was natural and irresistible II member Of the cabinet
could be countenanced in making his official position
auxiliary 10 access 10 the treasury upon claim OF
questionable chararter-f the organ OF the admnisua
Ilon could be os political morality to undertake
with debtation to justify cabinet officer in an act so
revolving 10 the plain dictates of common honesty
how it to be expected that the people could
confde in the official purity and integrity OF such
administration |, is well understood that when the
Galphn exposure made, the editors OF the Republic
Messrs Sergeant and Bu, refused 10 justify the ac'.
and that in consequence OF their refusal TO d. well
account Of their refusal 10 sustain The policy OF the
administration in its opposition TO the compromise
ures they were constrained give up their positions
editors Of the government organ. Ii is well remembered
hat their successor, Mr. Allen A. Hall, entered vgor
ously and with hearty good will into the defence OF
The Galphn swinde. and day after day labored 10 justify
an official act which revolving 10 the neral OF
the country Under SUCH Giro umstances, how il
possible that The plain, old. fashioned, straightforward
honesty OF the people could tail TO lend ready TO
charges of corruption and delinquency in less elevated
Official posions How could the humber officers Of the
government be expected 10 adopt elevated views of Off
cal propriey and integrity when the Presidents
counsellors justified by his acknowledged organ
in a species 1T Official peculaiion wholly a, with
sound morality
We have said that il was Mr.. Fillmores misfortune
to succeed to The presidency under circumstances which
rendered il impossible for him, with his negative quail
tiles Of character, TO redeem the whg party from the
odum which rested upon it in consequence OF its
Galphn faint and its unfortunate affiation with
sectional aSiators. He committed a fatal and in,
excu.abe blunder in the formation of his cabinet
Although the country could rejoice in his patriotic
sentiments as 10 the preservation of the Union ard the
allaying Of sectional agitation how could he expect 10
gain the popular confidence with such Thomas
Corwin at The head Of the Treasury Department. 1t
ought to have been enough Tor Mr.. Fillmore to know
that MIR Corwin had uttered the infamous "bloody
Mr. Corwn was affected with another moral faint which
showed him to be wholly unfit to keep The public money
We allude 10 his counexiop with the Gardiner claim
whilst he was a senator. We do not put objection
so much upon the ground that this claim based OF
fraud and crime, but take the high ground that no
member of Congress is excusasle for becoming interest
ed in any shape 10 claim which he is required TO
act in bis official character No senator or representa-
1--we can lend his official influence for pay to the advance
men, OF claim, whether valid or not without subject,
ing his integrity to criticism and suspicion The result
has shown clearly that Mr.. Corwn's eonne1ion
with Mr. FiIlmores cabinet almost as fatal 10 his
administration was the connerion OF Mr.. Crawford
with General Tayor's. Tba, the treasury plumber
ed in divers ways under its loose, not its corrupt ad
mnistration by Mr. Corwin admits OF OF doubt
We will not assert that Mr.. Corvn was positively
and knowingly corrupt in his execution of the laws
for the bookkeeping and disbursement OF the public
moneys but that be inc xcusably remiss and neg
Gsent in guarding them from aggression is TOO clear
admit OF controversy No apology defence has or
can be made, apprehend. for his avorsm in con
verting transfer drafts under The subasury law into
means of lending the public money 10 his friends, pal
pabe violation of the plain letter OF the law. Nor do
see how he be excused for his negligence in failing to
those public officers intrus'ed with the collection and dis