Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-10-21
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP


something to lose by the transfer Of millions Of
dollars worth of the property of the State,
"free gratis" as it were, to private specula-
tors, had much to do with the result of the re-
cent Pennsylvania election. The transaction
was clearly on a par with the never-to-be-for-
gotten Yszoo-lands fraud of Georgia, which, to
this hour, stinks in the nostrils of all men OF
integrity and bids fair to exist in the memory
Of all as long as our history shall DO remem-
bered, as the glaring example Of the want OF
governmental (oficiaD honesty incident to this
particular era on this side of the Atlantic. A
case is now in course Of adjudication before
the Supreme Court of the State-knewn as that
of the Sunbury & Erie Railroad Co. rs. Coop
or, in which the question of the legality of the
pretended sale (but real gift will be duly test
ed. We have seen printed argument in this
case made by Attorney General Black, who ap-
pears in it in behalf of his outraged fellow-cit-
liens, contesting the validity of the transact
ton. more complete exposure of mendacious
corruption and illegal assumption of authority
we never read than this same argument, which
should be fled in the library of all who would
preserve a record of the important transactions
of the times If it fails in its purpose of Vita
ting the pretended sale, then the people of
Pennsylvania have no protection whatever in
law against Wholesale robbery by collision be-
tween their agents and the horde of penniless
Spectators who hover around them, as such
characters now VIGOROUSLY seek to ensconce
themselves under the shadow of those who hold
office at every American State capital.
Tuv
sition to admit Kansas, irrespective of the num-
Der Of her population, in direct contravention
of the provisions of the English-act of the last
session Of Congress, on which Stephen Arnold
Douglas is running for reelection to the Sem
ale of the United States, in generating the
agitation of a scheme to secure the admission
Of Nebraska with her $4,000 population My,
into the Union as State, is opening the eyes
of conservative people in all directions to the
enormIty of the doctrine it invOlyes-to the
fagrant violation of the principle Of representa-
ton under this Government according to popu-
lation. We are glad to perceive so many pa
pers of standing speaking out emphatically
against it, and hope that it may be crushed in
the bud next winter, though the energy with
which the allied army-Douglas and his Plum
hOy Ou LILO IlSut, anu the hepuUli-
cans on the left-will urge in carrying out their
joint programme of Kansas anti-slavery agita-
ton may fasten it upon the future policy of the
Government, so far as its endorsement by the
House of Representatives is concerned. In
their joint struggle to lay the foundation for
the defeat of the Democracy in the Presiden-
tial election of 1860, and for the practical in
vestment Of the Abolitionists Of the nom
slavehOlding States with practical power to
work their will with reference to slavery in
the United States, those parties will stop at
nothing. Thus they will scout any principle of
law which stands in the way of the investment
of any handful of individuals with the rights
and privileges of a State of the American
Urion upon whose representatives in House
and Senate they may fancy they can rely to
aid their ultimate purpose of entirely nullify-
ing every constitutional guarantee of the rights
of slaveholding States.
NAvAL.-Passed Assistant Surgeon Sherman
who was recently tried by a court martial on
board the sloop Dale, of the African
squadron, on the charges of treating his supe-
rior officer with contempt, scandalous conduct,
and neglect OF duty, and found guilty and dis
steamer Caledonia, of the Paraguay expedition
and will not, therefore, be returned to the Dale
at present, at least, as is stated in some of the
New York papers. What the action of the De-
partment will be, ultimately, respecting his
charges against Commander McBlair, who is
represented as having been guilty of great in
justice towards him, remains to be seen; but, of
course, time will be allowed for Com. McBIair
to be heard in bis own defence. If bis allega-
tons Of the inhuman conduct pursued by Com
McBlair towards the men on board Of his ship
are proven to be true, there is no doubt but
that he will be sustained by the Department,
and proper rebuke be promptly administered
to the Commander, as well as to the other
officers by whom DR.. S. was tried
The OVERLAND MAIL TO CALIFoRNIA.-The
following is the reply Of Postmaster General
Brown to the communication of Mr.. Butter
field, announcing the success of the Overland
Mail to California. Mr.. Browns absence in
Tennessee, whence he has recently returned,
will account for the delay of his reply:
PosT OFFICE DEPARTMENT,
Washington, Oct 20. IsSS (
SIR: On my return from Tennessee, I received
your despatch announcing the arrival at St Louis
CISCO. Since then the public journals have an
CO the safe arrival Of raj other mails of
that line.
rejoice in your success. 1t may develop not
one only, but several CALIFORNIA; on this side the
Shores Of he Pacific. The country cannot award
too high credit to the lamented Rusk, and other
members Of Congress, who authorized this line
To be established, or TO the President, who de-
voted bis great abilities to carrying the law into
execution.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
AARON v. Brown.
JOHN BurrsRFIsLD, Esq President Of the Over
land Mail Company, 81 Louis, Mo.
PoHTLAND CRY CLATM.-In the matter of
conflicting claims to land in and near Portland
city, Oregon, the General Land Office has just
decided against the claims of Mr. McNamee
and Mr.. Speer, under the "donation act' of
1880, and also against the claim of Mr.. Towns
dale under an amended notification of the lat