The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-06

extraordinary prizes, in the shape OF spOils,
which are now being held up to the dazzled
gaze Of our legislators and their friends at
Washington-prize which, in the aggregate
far exceed the mines Of California in wealth and
promise. We have also drawn attention to the
herds Of lobby agents, SPECTATORS, and other
parties, interested in railroads, lines Of steam
ers government appropriations, &C., now con-
gregated in the vicinity Of Pennsylvania ave
nue.. 1t would seem, however, if the organ Of
the administration and the kitchen cabinet is
to be believed, that most of these people will
lose their time, for the exemplary brotherhood
whose mouthpiece it is intend to take the bust
ness into their own hands. The members ofthe
Cabinet assisted by their kitchen allies, pur-
pose entering the field as lobby agents; and it
cannot be doubted that their superior influence
and facilities will soon give them monopoly of
this branch of trade.
The first symptom Of this new movement of
the Cabinet and their allies appears in an able,
clear, and well reasoned article. in the Union,
in favor of the renewal of Colts famous patent
for firearms Mr.. Colts application for such
renewal has already been reported on to the
House, and bill for his relief introduced and
twice read. Now that the administration has
undertaken to lobby for him there cannot be
doubt of its passing.
We give elsewhere extracts from the Union
article which serve to show the zeal manifested
by the Cabinet in this matter, and add to them
the report Of Mr.. Mason, Commissioner of Pa
tents, refusing, for grounds fully and elabor-
ately stated, the extension solicited by Mr.. Colt
under the present law. From this report it would
appear that, under his present patent, without
further extensions, Mr.. Colt would derive from
his invention profit which could hardly fall
short OF two millions of dollars. A renewal,
therefore, such as contemplated by the bill for
his relief and supported so theoretically by the
Union, would probably add to these enormous
gains some five or six additional millions. This
item will serve to show the value of the patent
and other diggings now being explored and
wrought at Washington, and will give us an
insight into the motives which induce the
kitchen cabinet to use its influence to reverse
the decision Of the Commissioner of Patents.
Taking Colts case as q criterion, the proba-
BILE value Of the spoils Legislation which will
come before Congress during the present ses-
sion may be estimated somewhat as follows =
AGGREGATE VALUE AMOUNT spoIs TO Bx PASSED FRO
Br CONGRESS Dur1yG THIS SESSION
Twenty patents, varying from one million 10
Eve millions each OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. $50 600 600
donations OF public landslide millions of
scres-vorth at LEAST $40 roo roo
Appropriations for the Cove nmsnt.. 900 600
ThS Errnl M n hN N nno nj in
rome way.......... 30 O0 600
.$43O, 900 600
Innocent people ont of Washington suppose
that the Presidents message and the various
reports Of the departments are the only matters
Of Importance which engage the attention of
Congress, and require to be discussed and voted
on by members. II is well that this Juvenile
delusion should be corrected The proceedings
Of Congress, If confined to political discussions
and debates on these documents, would be line
the play of Hamlet without the part Of Hamlet.
The real pith and marrow Of the Congressional
business are the private applications for spols.
This year, for instance, the applications for re-
newal Of patents, the applications for aid to
railroads, the government appropriations,
and the disposal Of the surplus revenue,
will involve spoils legislation to the
amount of some five hundred millions
of dollars. This is the sum which lies I'M
der the control Of the present administration.
This II is which gives them the influence,
strength aud power. necessary to carry any
| point they please at Washington. Their real
policy lie now announced by their organ, the