Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-06-21
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

ID
the gift of the President 1t not unfrequently
happens that at least dozen persons, from a
thousand miles off, remain here for a month at
a time, living " at the top of their bent" en-
gagged solely in endeavoring to affect some
single appointment to an Office which does not
pay more than two or three thousand dollars
per annum. 1t is very clear to us that as such
things are now managed by the Ofice-drum
mers, the candidates, if they pay the piper,
spend, in the aggregate, an average flor each
office) Of one years salary connected with it.
This is a practice that has been increasing,
year by year, until it is now at its height, not
only here, but in nearly every State capital in
the Union. One great evil resulting from the
current system of Office-begging is, that it is
day by day coming to require more of the time
of those charged with the duty of bestowing
offices to listen to conflicting representations on
the part of the numerous candidates for every
place, and their friends. Of the crowds who
even yet continue to besiege the White House
and the reception rooms of the heads of the Ex-
ecutiye Departments, daily, perhaps three
fonrths are after Office for themselves or friends
At the lowest calculation two and half hours
day of each of those functiOnsries is occupied
by the prayers and conversation of such parties
as we describe above.
When contest for Office before the Execu-
tive is ended, the main contest for it has only
fairly began. This is a wrinkle-an idea-of
comparatively recent growth. Thus, the oppo-
nents of the successful aspirants transfer their
case to the lobby of the Senate and though in
most instances protesting to be very staunch
Democrats, they hold it to be all fair and prop
er TO defeat the Presidents recommendations
before the Senate, if they can. The practice
first became a common one during the admins
tration of President Pierce, and is already
much more followed now than then Presi-
dent Buchanan, by the exercise of the empha-
ais of will as an Executive officer, for which
be is already famous, has had less real trouble
in his hands from this source than he would
have had If possessing less influence with the
Senate.
LATEST FROM UTAH.-The latest advices
from Utah are the dispatches sent by Colonel
Kane, who arrived in this city on Saturday
evening, from Camp Scott, where he left Gov.
Cumming, on the 18th Of April These adj
vices, we learn, are confrmatOry Of those pre-
viOusl y forwarded from Gov c., the substance
Of which was published in the Star at the time
Of their receipt. They are not yet accessible,
however, and we are thus unable to lay the
letters in erteHSO before our readers The
bearer of the dispatches, Col. X, it is said
denies the statement made by the telegraph,
to the effect that the army would move forward
on the arrival Of the Peace Commissioners, and
states that, on the contrary, it had been the
request of Col. c. that it should remain where
1t Is until orders are received from Washing
ton lie also denies the statement that want
OF harmony exists between Gov. c. and Gen
johnson on any important measures, or such
as would leopard the public interests
There was great hope in Utah, as elsewhere.
says Colonel X, that the war was at an end.
peace party had been formed and was sufi-
GENTLY strong in time to arrest the march of
the Mormon forces against our own last spring
1t was the impression in Utah that Bringham
Dung, who openly espoused the cause of the
United States, would, in this respect be able
to maintain his position altogether. There was
ut one time strong opposition to him, before
emigration was resolved upon, but ever since
All the northern settlements are evacuated.
with the exception Of few MOrmOns left to
guard the public property at Salt Lake city.
Besides these, there are no MOrmons forty miles
south Of that city. The seventy families alluded
to IN recent dispatch did not. as stated, apply
to GOvernOr Cumming at Camp Scott for pro-
lection. They were brought there by him from
Salt Lake city.
Col. Kane speaks in the highest terms of
both Governor Cummings and Gen. johnson
The former he describes as being especially
calculated for the duties of his position having
the ability and disposition to negotiate with
the Mormons in such a wise and impartial
manner as best to secure the best interests of
the nation and this deluded community. The
latter, he says, is very able officer, who COM
mands the highest respect of his troops, and
exercises his authority in the most eouable
and praiseworthy manner, and combining with
these qualities excellent judgment and general
intelligence.
NATIONAL DEBT.-On the 1st Of July next, the
debt Of the United States will amount to about
$50, OO0, 900, including the loan Of $50 600 600
recently authorized by Congress. Taking into
consideration the present state OF the Treasury,
and the probable extent Of receipts during the
ensuing year, it is improbable that any pay
ncnts will be made until after the next fiscal
year, ending July, 1893. In the meantime,
however, the peaceful termination of the Nor
mon imbroslio, and the probable anlicablc adj
Justment Of the difficulties with England, will
save the country very large expenditure, the
necessity OF which was apprchcnded up till
nearly the close of the recent session Of Con
gress.
INDIAN TREATIEs.-There have been two
treaties entered into at the Indian Bureau with
the delegations of Upper and Lower tribes of
Sioux Indians resident in Minnesota which have
had for their object the combining of the tribes to
portion Of the extensive reservation set apart for
them under the treaty Of 1851 These treaties
also make provision for settling land titles, and
for in'urlng to the Indians the usual educa-