The American. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1857, 1857-10-17

the alleged attempt of Mr.. Clay to subsidize the
Press of the United States!
But why bring this by.gone matter up at this
tell you, reader. We notice in the Union sundry
government advertisements, some ofthem very long,
which are ordered into three other papers in this
city, too others in Boston, tao in the city OF New
York, three in Philadelphia, besides great many
others in different cities and sections of the
try. The amount of money thus paid to Editors
to some, and even many of them, for no benefit
that advertising in their papers is to the govern
ment, or to the public, but simply and solely TO
pay them for past and to future services.--
to "take care of their friends, ITO feed and fatten
the faithful, and thus encourage others to be faith
full too, is very large; including the Public Print
ing, Binding, Engraving, printing Of Blanks, &C.,
&C., IL cannot be less than 81 5000 year, and
may be considerably more. And all this made to
tell in favor Of The party, to pay partisan Editors,
and partisan presses, or to silence or neutralize
opposition. 1t isa corruption fu,,d-the money
of the people, used to humbug, caole, bamboozle,
throw dust in the eyes Of, cheat, and wheede the
people themselves. ..:.a d,
Advertisements for proposals for carrying the
mails at the North, South and Vest making thirty
or forty newspaper columns each, are given to a
paper in this city, which is probably never seen
by FIVE men, likely to become bidders for mail con-
tracts; having no country circulation whatever.
The advertisement is printed in extra sheets, at
the Union office, and furnished at so much per
thousand to the favored paper, and by that sent
round and dropped at the doors, week after week,
| of its city subscribers by whom they are thrown
aside for waste paper unopened. And for such an
advertisement thus circulated, the government pays
the purchased UP Editor, from twelve to fifteen
thousand dollars!!
What is this but the grossest, most bald, and
most Infamous corruption! And this is in charac-
ter and of price with what is taking place every
day here in this city, bearing the honored name Of
Washington Would General Pierce, Mr.. Buch.
anan or any of the members of either Of their
Cabinets conduct their own private affairs in this
| shameless manner? Byno means. But is the pub
Tic money they thus put into the pockets of their
friends"-their toadies rather,-and as they fear
not being called to account for it by the country,
and as this is but carrying out the proclamation
that " to the vctors belong the spoils" plunder,
their consciences are easy. Such practices in the
British government would soon cause " Her Maes-
TVS Ministers to be hurled from their seats COW
cred with shame and disgrace; but in this "great
free, model Republic" where the rulers are the
SERVANTS Of and responsible to the people, it passes
not only uncensured, but SO far approved that
every dollar thus corruptly expended strengthens
the party in power! o, shame, where is thy blush
0, people, where are your boasted vigilance, jeal
ousy and power Your rulers your servants
No, they are your masters and utterly despise,
contemn and defy you ..