Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-05-18
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP
The DO0RKEEPERSHIP.-The prOprety of
the action Of the House yesterday, in dsplacing
their DoOrkeeper upon the charges presented
by the Committee on Accounts, without pre-
viously hearing his defence, is questioned by
many around us, in view of the fact that his
defence was made before different committee
(appOinted by the House to that end especially
that had not reported in the premises. We
have heard nothing to lead US TO believe that
Mr. DooEkeepcr Hackney, in transgressing the
rules and exceeding his powers, as alleged by
the Committee on Accounts, was actuated by
any felonious intent, as will be implied from
the summary action of the House in his case
1t seems to be understood outside, that his en-
plOyment of an unauthorized number OF subor-
dinates was the result especially of the peril
nacity with which many members of the House
insisted that he should take into the service of
the body persons for whom they interested
themselves to obtain places. Few out of Wash
ingtOn comprehend the vehemence with which
honorable members at times insist that their
wishes In such cases shall be complied with by
the chief officers Of the House who have subor
dlnaie places in their gift. nominally.
We do not desire to be understood Is justify
ing the conduct Of the late Doorkeeper, who is
legally and morally responsible for the i'm
proper acts of all his subordinates, unless
promptly discovering them and melting out
due punishment for them, which, ii is evident
he did not do in this case. As the punishment
yesterday melted out to him involves an impu-
tation upon his integrity, as well as on his
want Of frmncss of purpose in saying No, and
on his habits of attention to the details of the
duties of his subOrdinateS, we think he should
have been allowed to make his defence ere
being decapitated while begging that priv
ilege, which all are accustomed to regard as
the right of an American citizen.
The DISTRICT ORPHANS CoURf.-It is n
grievous shame that our Orphans Court, in
which the probate business for this entire Dis
trict Is transacted, has accommodations hardly
worthy OF the office Of Justice Of the Peace.
HE room is very small, and those in attendance
are necessarily compactly crowded together no
matter what their station, sex age or color.
Ii Is here that all must como to transact any
business In connection with the estate of de-
ministrstion, orphans in selecting guardians,
widows, administrators, ADMINISTRATORS, trus-
tees, and guardians in the District are Gem
PEELED to visit this court room and frequently
on several occasions. These Of course. include
persons Of every class, grade. sex and descrip-
ton IN society, and render the small room and
poor accommodations just cause for continual
and serious complaints. Then. again, as the
courtroom is one Of the pigeon holes on the
hrst foor of the City Hall building, il is close
damp, and deleteriUGs IN the health and com
fort OF the officers and rot fitting or safe
place to keep the innumerable valuable docu-
ments on file in its archives; for they are sub
Jected to injury from moisture
Judge Purcell has frequently exarteI him
sen 10 nave more suitable accommodations pro-
vided for this Court, and, recently, the Sacre
tary of the Interior called the attention Of Con
gress to the matter, and recommended a small
appropriation for the purpose Of placing this
important tribunal in a condition more becom.
ing its diverse and indispensable functions
We hope that, ere its adjournment Congress
may act upon the suggestion of Secretary
Thompson, and relieve US of the disgrace which
tbs court room truly is to the District and the
country.
KARA AVIS IN TERRA Who ever before
heard OF the financial affairs of an United
States Territory economically and prudently
administered Surely We never did-having
long since come TO the conclusion tina. there
was DO help for the way the Territories all have
Of regarding the General Government as a sort
OF milk-giving COW OF the largest conceivable
yielding capacity, and milking it accordingly
1t therefore affords unfeigncd pleasure to
quote from the Salem Oregon .Si0fss4a11 the
following brief excerpt, proving, as it we're,
that cur old friend, ten. 10. Lane has innor-
uiated those he represents with the straight
forward and substantial traits Of his own well
known personal character
- How have the monetary affiirs of the Terri
tory been managed Have not nd.meni prII-
oehce aud economy beeI displayed ia this de part
meht 81 government 10y this Democratic party
me Territory u out OF debt, with "a suTplus i'm
brr IT, .surY. fact thrt cannot lie stat of any
o'heT Itfntoiy IA the Mon. And though Con-
Lla hiacr u" greater appropriations for Ore
Roh thah i0f The Atlantic Territories where prices
rule much lower, Oregon has never exhausted
those appropriations; aad d surplus of many
iuousdhos Oh dOiiars now stands TO the cred Of
oregon, Ehehpcndtd. Noe another Territory in
The Cnlon can say this, while not a few az them
aie behind Ia bo'h their Territorial and limited
State- ucfOGnts. ana all this las occurred uudsr
Vie rule 0f this same ID moe tic party of OREGON
Oregon las been the best governed Territory in
TIE Union. and with money in he poo ket M nv
-. ndng 20 her credit in tie United states treas
uTy. OI.f OF debt, she starts upon her Career a. a
Stale with bitter credit, and in better character
than any OF her sisters. Ard notw ithstaudin.,
all thls-these stubborn facts which will not
down al the hippaHt cry OF &c clique, - . FEDERAL
ism, - prescription &C taxation Aas been
lighter Ia Oregon than in any other Territory 10
th- tblted States. California, lying alOngsideof
Us has PAID dollars faxes where have paid
dimes, and still she IL i'm debt three millions of
dollars, The Interest upon which has not been
PAID for two years. While she has scarcely a
county In debt less than rfty thousand dollars,
ana sohr OF them owe near a million aad all
are S'"dhlhg under ta1atIon--cro~ded 10 the yery
verge OF fepud atiOn and TevoltD
COMPLETION CT THIRrY-F.vE MILES OF AN
IOWA RAILRoAD.-PrOper evidence has been
fled in the General Land Office Of the conilIe-
tiOn Of thirty-f miles of the Burlington and