Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-02-02

WASHINGT0N NEWS AND GOSSIP,
Executive sessions.-We regret that we do
not feel at liberty to congratulate the public on
he probability that yesterdays conversation
in the Senate, squirting towards the abolish.
nent of executive sessions in the consideration
If everything but foreign affairs, will result IL
ne greatly needed change. We know we write
ne nearly unanimous opinion of the country.
n amrming that no real necessity for Senatorial |
executive sessions exists, except in the consid-
grafton Of treaties and kindred topics We
know, too, that the public agree with US in the |
belief that secret, and, therefore, irresponsible
action, il repugnant to all the principles at the
foundation Of our Government We also sec
in the privilege Of legislatiDg beyond the ker
of the constituency-the American people,
incentive to such legislation as
would hardly take ace if every legislato,
could be held duly responsible for all he say
ard does on such occasions Even though
nothing may, so far, have been done wrong in
secret conclave, the incentive to wrong doing.
under such circumstances, is so strong as t,
create an universal American desire that j.
may no longer exist. United States Senators
are human, having their likss and their dis
likes, their ambitions and other private ends
such as shape, in part, the acts of at least al
others in private or public affairs. Thos,
knowing the House of Representatives we'll
are perfectly aware that, though they d,
nothing in secret, not day passes, during tn,
session, in which self does not stand GU.
glaringly in the acts of more than one honor
able member. If the eyes of the public, SC
constantly viewing that body, thus fail to check
such demonstrations among the representa-
tives, he must have the bump of faith and ven.
Grafton astonishingly developed, indeed, who
fancies that ''number one'' is less thought OF
in legislation for which there is no direct ant
manifest responsibility. We have no idea tina,
the present Senate of the United States are in
clincd to greater abuse of this immunity thai
any other body of gentlemen of the same num-
Der would be. The public will perceive that
our remarks, in this connection, are in naugh
invidious towards the members of that body
being aimed wholly against IN antiquated
anti-republican and unnecessary rule, which il
becoming daily more dangerous to the public
interest, as our country grows in luxury and
selfishness, and as the progress of American
public affairs is towards consolidation-aye
and towards corruption-at galloping pace,
indeed.
Compromise with Debtor Of the United
States.-It is held by the Government account
ing officers that when the account of dis
bursting officer is settled at the Treasury, and
suit is brought against him for the balance
found due, and the matter is afterwards com.
promised by the entry of a judgment in fayo,
of the United States, by consent, for an agreed
sum less than the balance due, the judgment is
conclusive as to all the items on both sides O..
the account as settled. Items in favor of the
officer, if embraced in the account, cannot at
forwards be paid him at the Treasury, ever
though they were improperly disallowed il
the original settlement
The Erie War in It's Houss-It is evil
dent, from what has already taken place in thu
House upon the subject of the Erie troubles
that considerable majority of the member:
are in quanSary az to what is best to be done
in the premises. The impression prevails Their,
that the gross original wrong is on the pant Of
the owners of the railroad, who are believed to
have set at defiance the laws of the State. The
Pennsylvania members have succeeded in ger.
Grating that impression, for the time being a
least. 1t is now shielding the Erieites from
Congressional vengeance as it were, though The
Ohio representatives are electioneering indus
triously to obtain the passage Of the act te
as those OF which the Erie people have of lat,
been guilty The fight is fast becoming a sort
OF Ohio VS.. Pennsylvania war, and rice rersa
We are, however, of impression that no practi
cal legislation in the case will be contaminated
at the present session, because the House seen
to conceive that the squabble is local one il
which both sides being much to blame, it car
do little real harm to leave them to punisl
each other a while longer.
Unauthorized Purchases Of Specie ON Gov
eminent Account.-A case was, not long sine,
before one of the Departments here, in which
1t was ruled that no disbursing officer is au.
thorized to purchase specie without the special
direction Of the head of the Department unde,
which he acts, and any charge he may make
for premium, on unauthorized purchases, paid
will be disallowed.
The Hon. Samuel w. Parker, Of Indiana,
last evening, received telegraphic dispatch
notifying him Of the death of his eldest SOL
from the accidental discharge of gun. lie
left Washington this morning. accompanied b,
his wife, for Connersville, Indisna, his home
His deceased son was nineteen years of age
and was managing his fathers business, during
the latter's absence at Washington. He was
youth Of extraordinary promise, we lear,
from gentleman who knew him well. Mr.
Parker, in his sad bereavement, has the hear:
felt sympathy Of all in Washington who know
him.
n Mark Signatures When a signature to
a receipt for money, due and> paid by a dis
bursting officer Of the Government, is made by
a =. mark, a witness to the sign allure is re.
CURED in all cases, or the voucher win not he
admitted at the Treasury: and the mark of ii
witnsss to the sigma ure Of another who signs
receipt by mark, is not held to be a com
pliance with the rule. t.-
Tho Public Lands in Oregon As the law
regulating the disposal of the public damair.