The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-07-29

Correspondence II the Philadelphia Ledger
WAsHINGros, July 1.-THE heads OF de-
psrtments, and even such Of the bureau Off
GERS az can leave their business, have left,
or are about to leave the city, for few
weeks. The toll Of these men has been I'M
remitting ever since their accession TO OF.
flee. No situation of the kind can be re.
garded rs q sinecure, ut this day, whatever
it may have been formerly. 1t must be OBJ.
served, too, that the expense Of q residence
in Washington, with q family, is vastly
greater now than it was even ten years ago.
SO, while the labors Of chiefs of the depart
ments and bureaux have been increased,
their expenditures have been, in still great.
or degree, augmented.
The present Cabinet has been more re-
markable than any Of its predecessors, for
liberal and hospitable style of living. 1t is
true that most of them are wealthy men,
but it aees no. always follow that official
men live In manner commensurate with
their wealth. For the year ending with
this spring. not one Of the members Of the
Cabinet expended less than fifteen thousand
dollars, and two or three of them expended
each twenty-five thousand. 1t is true that
their entertainments, equipments, &c, were
unusually frequent aud Of an expensive
kind. Their example was followed by some
wealthy citizens, foreign ministers and sena-
tors-particularly Douglas and Gwin-and
thus fashionable and public life, during the
season prior to Lent, was, in this city, q per-
petual carnival.
The scale Of expenditure in families in
Washington has always been higher than in
any other city, as | may assert from my
own knowledge, and were head Of depart
ment to consult the most rigid economy, he
could not pay rent and live here with fam.
lily, at the present salary of eight thousand
dollars year, nor anything like it. As to
the heads Of bureaux, whose salaries have
remained ut three thousand dollars, as fixed
some forty years ago, they cannot live in
decent and comfortable manner without
drawing upon their private resources, if
they are lucky enough to have any.
The demands Of hospitality, not to say Of
fashion and taste, have IN fine raised the
scale Of official expenditure here to such an
extent that, hereafter, none but rich men
can accept place in the Cabinet, without
subjecting themselves TO much Inconvenience
or disparaging comparison. To the three
qualifications pronounced by Jefferson, to
be sufficient, another must be added-that
is, wealth. So the Presidents inquiry must
be-"is he wealthy, is he honest, is he capa-
bic, is he faithful to the constitution
Corr-spon dence Of the Balumsre Sun.
WASHINGTON, July l8.-The Postoflice
Department sees no violation OF the sp,rt
Of law, if of its letter, by authorising the
Collins line" to make Portland its eastern
terminus. Such disposition would serve the
government in that that it would gain some
twenty.four hours for its European messages
and messenger. Passengers would not OBJ
iect to an arrangement that would save
days sailing, with its risks and irksomeness.
The company would be benefited, from the
fact that it would probably monopoize the
rapidly increasing intercommunication OF
Great Britain with her North American
possessions, besides relieving the ships OF
charges OF pilotage and Of the necessity OF
laying of port at night, since that the ca
pacious harbor of Portland is accessible at
all hours and in all weather.
The subject Of change of western termi-
nus is now before the Secretary Of the Ma
w, who, Al immediate contractor with the
Collins line, has coordinate power with the
Postotiice Department. II the government
does not now authorize the change Congress
doubtless will at the next session for Con
gress can have no such partiality for any par
ticular port as TO deny a'request that would
serve to expedite the mails, and generally to
advance the interests of government and
people.
The plain. quiet and unpretending ap-
pearance OF Gov. Denver, added to his
known quality Of tearlessness, is regarded as
the secret OF his success in Kansas. II he
desires to be Governor Of that Tertiary be
can las things look long remain so, for be-
Lief 10 the expectation Of her refusing ac-
ceptance OF the late act OF admission into
the Union is based not only upon the suppo'
si,ion OF partizan feeling, but OF that inter
est of individuals which looks forward TO
day when Jim Lanes political domination
may be much less than a, present Besides,
the people Of the Territory are no. insensi-
ble 20 the fact tina, il Uncle Sam Is their
trustee or guardian. be is very liberal.