The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-07-29

in the Gays OF General jackson We hope, then,
that not ouly will efficient ministers and consuls
be sent abroad, but that they will have urgent
instructions from their government to insist upon
a speedy settlement of such claims as are present
ed by citizens of the United States against the
government to which they are respectively CON-
missOned.
One of the Leaks I'm the Railway system.
1t is now generally known that Monsieur
Moran has been made President of the Erie Rail-
road, at salary Of $4,000 per annum. 1t does
not appear that Monsieur Moran was ever before
an officer Of railway, ever carried on the bust
ness of a carrier, or had anything TO do with she
working OF railways. Monsieur Moran is under
stscd to have conducted business the gist of
| which was the investing of the capital of rich
men in Germany and Switzerland whence
he comes-in the fat seven and eight per cent
bonds ard stocks of our Western country This
business being large one-and Monsieur Moran
having his share of it-he valued his time at
$3.50 a year-'yery likely with good reason !;
and asked, and obtained that sum of the Erie
Railway Company for his services
Only a short while before, Mr.. Gray, Central
Park Commissioner, we believe and once a dry
goods dealer, obtained the Office of Treasurer of
the Michigan Southern Company at $4,000 a
year. On its being urged that this salary was
large it was replied that Mr.. Grays predecessor,
whose stated salary was less, actually made from
sixty to seventy thousand a year, 10 the shape Of
commissions, &c.
| These events seem to indicate change in our
railway system. Hitherto, the salaries paid TO
railway officers have been handsome and liberal,
but not exorbitant Ten thous and dollars have
been considered ample for the President Of one
Of our greatest lines; and from five TO three for
superintendent, managing directors, secretaries
and treasurers. Upon the smaller of these
figures man with family could until recently
live in the city: the larger would still be ade-
| quate and no business-except railways
would think of giving to officers for four or five
hours work per day over 81 900 a $1,000 a
year.
The question, however, is put in this form by
the advocates Of high salaries: The parties who
are desired to act as railway officers can make
as much or more than the highest salaries offered
serve the railways for less Moreover it is uni
versally held that there is no better guarantee
sgaust dishonesty among employees than the pay
ment of an ample salary. Were the railway
companies to pay too little, they would find
themselves in the end paying too much
II is doubtful whether either of these two
reasons exactly meets the case. Price is re-
gulated by demand and supply; we have never
beard that there was any shortness in the
supply of railway Presidents or other oficers.
We rather think the supply IL in
excess Of tho demand. Good men 10 abundance
can be had from the express companies, our W.
perintendcats, conductors, aud the forwarding
business. If nothing but good working man be
required-not fancy man-there need be no
fancy salary offered to tempt him.
On the other head We very much doubt whe-
ther even such a salary as $4,000 or s2j'000 a
! year be sufficient to ensure the honesty of the
officer OF corporation. All experience in New
York, teaches that corporations are dishonest;
that they will cheat whomsoever deals with them,
If they can; and that every person who has bust
ness with railroad or other Incorporated con-
pany must take the same precautions as he would
use were he dealing with burglar. Moreover
the dishonesty Of the corporate body taints the
officers Men who, in their private capacity as
merchants or brokers or what not, are as honest
a. 6e day, become corrupt and loose In their
morals as railway officers; they see no harm in
using the company for their private benefit, buy
ing land to sell Il 10 themselves as officers Of the
company, supplying themselves as officers with
iron or other supplies, or selling the stock short,
and using their influence as officers TO depre ciate
it. All these things are commonly done, and no
loss of character seems 10 follow. Aud the most
curious part of the business seems to be that the
richer the individuals the gyosser the frauds they
perpetrate.
The tendency of the age is toward increased
prices in everything; but il must not be expected
that exorbitant salaries will secure efficient
management in our railways until managers are
selected Tor their knowledge and practical expe-
rience, and until personal honesty becomes an
essential Characteristic of all railway officers
REWARD or FoILY-A few months ago, Mr.
Webster, Of Central American fame, was little
short Of demigod in Costa RIGA. There was
nothing the Costa Ricans could say TO do justice
to bis great and glorious qualities, TO his high
and noble aims, to his shrewd and business like
tact Costa RIGA had at last found her beau
ideal OF man in W. r. G. Webster.
Time wore on, and Walker was expelled.
Costa RIGA then becsme--what she had not been
for some time-a seemingly independent State,