The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-26

Of provisions of which the assignment by the
United TO the State Of Kentucky Of all their interest
the present canal around the Falls OF the Ohio river,
upon condition that the State Of Kentucky should thence
forth the said canal to be kept open for the passage
steamboats, and other vessels OF proper capacity nav
eating the Ohio river at certain of toll and that no
toll should ever be charged any steamboat other
vessel account Of the troops property mails Of the
United States carried by such steamboat or vessel
LIGHTHOUSE BILL.
Nr Oomas after great trouble, managed at the close
OF last session to procure the passage by the House oil the
bl making appropriations for lighthouses, gh,boats,
buoys &c, and providing Cor the erection and establish
Of the same and for other purposes but for want
OF time il failed in the Senate II will probably be one
Of the first bills passed this session.
CLERKS IN THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF APPoR-
TIONMENT
Some members Of the House are vevy DESTROYS Of hay
ng better understood and more immediate right OF ap
oiptment to clerical offices in the federal city than they
exercise by means Of thor influence with the ap
pointing power. Mr. Robt Smith, of Iinois-the same
gentleman who originated the Fort Smelling Investigation
introduced bill last session, which was referred TO
and reported back by select committee OF seven, enact
ing
That hereafter all appointments OF clerks and messen
gers cmpoyed or to be employed in or connected with
the several departments tho government the city of
Washington, shall BE- appointed from the several states
aud Territories Of the United States in proportion to the
representation of said States and Territories IN he House
OF Representatives the District OF Columbia beng deem
ed Tor this purpose equal to one Congressional district
and also that in making the selections TO ill the aforesaid
Offices actual residents of said several States and Terri
tories and 1.-THE District Of Columbia shall in all cases be
selected and appointed and As Ear as practicable, such
selections shall be made from the several Congressional
districts of said States.
This ridiculous and mpractcabie scheme and il
would if carried out, fill the public offices at Washington
with the most incompetent and worthless men who would
be selected only for their political services As It is, they
quite bad enough and certainly would not be for
the interest Of the country u have them worse The
true policy would be to pass law directing the President
require from the heads Of the departments
turns Of all their subordnates with full observations to
their requirements, habits OF industry, and attention to
business, authorizing him from those returns advance
and to set back dschargc--f he it-the clerks
according to their merits demcrrs and then--aer
such changes, and with rule regulating future promotion
aud MISUNDERSTANDING their offices permanent, or
only to be vacated for and report Of misconduct
to the appointing power. Such rule exists in the public
Offices of all well regulated governments, and would do
more than anything else, if applied Throughout the whole
country, to put down the present dcmorazng and de
grading trade OF politics.
| PUBLIC DOCUMENTS AND LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYEES
There two bills reported last the House
FOR the reform OF abuses in regard to public documents
bne was reported Dy Df. NlSON, from the AONt Com
m,tee the Library the other by Mr Hughes from the
Select Committee the Conduct and Accounts OF thct
Doorkeeper The first proposed to place all the public
documents printed by order Of either House in charge Of
the Secretary OF the Interior be drawn from him
requson by the Clerk Of the House. Secretary OF the
| Senate &c-'hus avoiding collision between the public
printer and the superintendent Of the folding The
second proposed make the latter onice-whch is
in the gift of the poorkeepcreectve by the House.
prescribing his duties and rcspons bics and making the
clerical force employed by hm-with the exception of
two permanent cerks-depcnden the authority OF the
Committee Of will be recolected that last
session the Doorkeeper dismissed for having filed
| the folding with needcssy large number Of
plos disregard OF the orders Of the Committee OF
Accounts. These matters need REFORM and couple Of
hours will suffice 10 dispose Of them presume Con-
gress Will attend to them Immediately. There also
bill pendnc-reported by the Committee OF Accounts
fixing the number and compensation OF clerks, messen
gers pages and laborers for the House OF Representa-
There much loosness aoou, the employ and
compensation Of these persons and the defect needs
| remedy. The Offices the House, like those in the
\ Senate, should be made permanent
/ BANKRUPTCY LAW.
Mr benjamin, Of la, introduced tic senate, the
5,h OF May last bin to establish uniform law the
subject Of bankruptcies Throughout the United States. 4
proposes awe the United States District Courts iuris
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this session.
THE rATESr OFFICE LAWS.
The Committee Patents in the House, through Mr..
S,ea.rt n Nj re,or,c, ON ,bc ie,h of March an -
the nature Of substitute for one introduced by Mr. Tay
or Of \ Y entitled bill 70 promote the progress Of the
uscs arts to regulate the granting Of patents for
toa and TO repeal all acts AMI parts Of acts heretofore
naic for That purlose.
lathe senate also bill having tie same general objects
view reported rs Mr. Evans from the Comm ,ec on