American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1858-08-13
Correspondence of the Baltimore Patriot.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, July 90. 1858.

correspondence oil the Daltnore Patriot.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON, July 90, 1858.
After much twisting and turning,
and very many INVESTIGATIONS, upon
the part of the government organ and
its allies in regard to the appropria-
tions fer, and the expenditures by, the
present administration, the truth is out
at last: and the columns of stern and
unyielding figures, show wastefulness,
prodigality and extravaganza, really
astounding, and which is sufficient to
cause the taxpayers Of ths country to
look this matter in the face and to de-
termine upon line of policy that shall
rebuke this official Delinquency, and
for the future to employ the public
treasure legitimately, and not to squan-
der it in rewarding INSCRIPTIONS par
tizans and corrupt politicians.
Hundreds upon hundreds of just and
meritorious private claims received the
60 by, many of them having passed
the ordeal Of the court of claims, tri-
bunai which will bear favorable com.
parison with the distinguished jurists
who occupy seats upon the bench of
the Supreme Court Of the United
States. Also humorous class of Rev
dictionary Pensioners, which has been
favorably adjudicated by the court of
claims, was indefinitely postponed to
furnish means to pay for the services
of intinerant political drummers, sucn
as Mike Walsh, John Nugent, w. G.
Jones, Francis j. Grund, &c.
The aggregate of appropriations for
private bills was small, not exceeding
three hundred thousand dollars. The
administration succeeded in killing off
the private calender, wanting all the
money for purposes of party patron
age. ....
For weeks it has been asserted and
re-assertcd that the expenditures and
appropriations would but little exceed
$63, 200, 900, when the official expose
shows that it will reach beyond $685.
100000. And this too, with the man
at the helm of State who was in the
front rank denouncing the Admins.
ton of John Quincy Adams for it's ex-
travagance, when it did not in any one
year reach $15, 100000. Well may
he retire to the seclusion of the noun.
tains of Pennsylvania, and there, if
possible, seek to hide himself from his
own reflections, which should cause his
cheeks to burn with the blush of shame
ard which neither the breezes from the
mountain gorges nor Bedford's health
full and sparkling waters can allay the
burning sensation.
1t has been announced that "the
President before leaving for Bedford
Springs, appointed John Nugent, ESQ.,,
editor of the San francisco Herald,
who is now here an agent to proceed
to Fraser river, to make proper rep
resentations to the citizens of the u
nited States, with a view of prevent
ing collisions or outbreaks in that quar-
ter"
Upon which the Washington Repub-
lie justly remarks: "Of course this is
a mere job, got up to reward parti-
zan for whom nothing else could be
found, 1t is mere nonsense to say
that our citizens in New Caledonia need
any instruction in their duties, and if
they did need any, what peculiar ft-
ness has Mr.. Nugent to give them p
What can be more impolitic, what
more calculated to arouse the ielous.
les of the British authorities, than
sending an American Government A
gent into British territory? Of course
Mr.. Nugent would like to make trip
to the Frazer mines at the public ex-
pense, but this is not sufficient rea'
son for allowing him to put his hands
into the treasury,
"Thc amount of money spent by this
administration is enormous. 1t is on
ly lately that VIM. Carey Jones re-.
turned from Nicaragua where he had
been oaporing about for a year, at no
body knows how much cost, and all to
reward him for writing letters against
his brother'in-law Colonel Fremont
1t is now said that Francis J. Grund
has gone on secret mission to Eu-
rope to reward him for his libels upon
honest men, and his ready apologies
for the corruptions and rascality of the
party in power. And these are only
samples of the style in which the Ad-
ministration appropriates the public
money to feed its partizans.' ..
AS specimen of the qualifications
of Secretary Cobb to manage the f.
nances of the nation, learn from the
public prints that the salaries of en-
ployees in the Custom House have
been reduced twenty-five per cent, but
to meet the demands of some of the
Jait1Jul," for services rendered, add.
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