Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-08-01
WARRINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP

WARRINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
The Pay Of Officials" After the British
minister, Mr.. Canning, had returned to Eng
land, he was inquired OF by a committee of
the House OF Commons how his style of living,
when here, compared with that of the wealthy
men Of Washington; and his answer was,
There are no wealthy men in Washington u
Mr.. Stratford Canning, as British Minister,
represented the person and interests of his
own august sovereign at our republican court,
some twenty-five years ago, or Whereabouts
he is remembered as courteous gentleman,
who discharged with dignifed propriety all
the essential duties which, in that capacity,
fell to his lot. He enlisted on our shores no
recruits for the armies Of his king, and had
no occasion for the expiation of diplomatic
sins, at the instance of the government to
which he was accredited. He was therefore
duly appreciated. His career of diplomacy
on this continent has not, indeed, connected
his name with any great event which will
give it an historical fame; but his capacity
was not tested. In the dull calm of a pro-
found peace the powers even of a great gen.
eral, are in repOse.
The anecdOte which we have quoted above,
Is taken from an article in the National In
telLtseneer Of the 23d April last, signed " Ci-
Wis" OF its truth, each reader may judge for
himself. Mr. Canning is now, under the title
Of "Lord stratford de Redclife," English
Minister at the Court of the Sultan of Turkey,
At Constantinople and to his averments, let
it not be thought that we withhold any Just
credit.
Whether a Committee of the House Of Com
mons was ever officially charged with the duty
of interrogating Minister as to his style of
living at a foreign Court, we may, perhaps,
we'll pause to inquire but if, in this instance,
the query was made, as above asserted, there
can be 10 doubt that the answer imputed to
Mr.. Canning had its foundation in truth.
"There are no wealthy men in W ashington -
This was uttered when Mr. Monroe or Mr..
Adams was President. And it was true.
Mr.. Canning, the servant Of a liberal Gov
eminent, enjoyed a salary OF probably
$50, 900 year, with perquisites and birthday
compliments, which must have led him to look
upon the incomes Of our officials and unoff-
cial gentlemen of Washington as paltry. in
comparison with that which the English, at
home, call state Of wealth. The income Of
our Government officers has always been mo-
derate; and properly it should be so. But
the topic being suggested in this form, it may
be well to inquire whether public considera-
tiOns and wise economy do not require some
modification Of the existing system, and g.
~. z
with view to its effect on the general welfare
The official life Of men who conduct the af-
fairs Of a government cannot be entirely sew
cred from that Of the ordinary social life of
the same individuals, and Of those with whom
they come in daily contact. The President, if
he receives IA call from members of Congress,
must give them civil reply; and usage has
required, as well, perhaps, as a punctilious
etiquette, that this shall come in the form Of
ceremonial invitations to dinner at the Exec
utive Iansion. Fashion rules the camp, the
court, the grave; none are too low to be ex.
empt from its laws-none too high to defy
their power.
Tie appropriate Inequalities Of an Ameri-
can Chief Magistrate were duly initiated by
Washington, our FIRST exemplar i'll all the
great civil and military duties. By him the
amenities Of life were as justly priced as the
essential moralities which lie at the founda-
ton OF every approved character. He wa,
courteous, while he was firm His fidelity a:
patriot and statesman are of historical in.
terest But 1t is to be remem bercd also. that
Washington was, In the highest sense of the
word, an accomplished gentleman. OF hi,
manner, and department in the social circle
Marshall, the historian Of his life, has No,
failed to give pleasing account. In framip,
rules for the conduct Of the new government
Of which he was the head, he aimed to estab
lish for himself and his associates code @
public morals so just that it could suffer fror
no assault; but in his department he did no
forget the healing balm Of private and sOcia
friendship In his time, an agreeable inter
course was established between the Executive
the members Of his Cabinet, the members @
Congress- and tho foreign diplomatic corps
The usages of that day, as set by W Washington
have, to a reasonable extent, been at all time
observed. They still exist.
Our newspaper critics talk largely of N
waste Of public money and of extravaganza sal
aries-they seek reform and clamor for r,
trenebnspt. The people, say they, pay tn