The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-08


LoRBY SPous AT WAsaINGToN--fHE PUGrIC
PRNTNG.-We publish to-day batch of COM
munications from Washington throwing light
upon the secret plottings and combinations by
which the spoils connected with the public
printing have been secured to the present in
cumbents of that fattjob. From the statements
therein contained it is evident that the public
interests have been shamefully sacrificed to the
cupidity of the lobby men and certain hungry
Adventures connected with the press. The
changes that have been made by Congress In
the personnel connected with this branch of the
public expenditure, so far from conducting to
economy, must contribute to swell its amount
enormously. Instead of one or two gluttonous
maws to satisfy, there will be, under the new
arrangements half dozen, if not more. The
displacement of Wendell as House printer was,
ii appears, more nominal than real; for whilst
Steedman ostensibly fills the Office, Wendell is
still to do the work The effect of the combi-
nation against the latter will, therefore, be
merely to compel him to divide the
profits of the House printing, and in order that
they may be worth division, Uncle Sam will OF
course have to make handsome addition to his
usual expenditure under this head. This whole
sale partnership arrangement in the revenues
Of public Office, carried into effect, as it was,
under the very nose of Congress, shows the
depth of decentralization and corruption at
which our public men have arrived. Office
seekers, journalists and Congressman have all
been VIGOROUSLY mixed up in the job, and have
shared the plumber arising from it. A spectacle
like this, under q democratic government, is
one OF the most humiliating and degrading that
can we'll be witnessed, and We may expect to
find bitter use made Of it by the enemies of re-
publican institutions. In the meanwhile we are
compelled to pay its immediate penalty in hea-
Willy increased taxation and the consciousness
of wasted resources.
If the committee appointed to investigate the
abuses connected with the public printing under
stands its duties rightly, remedy may
still be applied to this unfortunate state of
things 1t should, in the first place, institute a
searching inquiry into the circumstances con-
nected with the recent negotiations between
MtSc&o. otCeOuou, oUAho, VShNSAA ~AN VeAASAo IA
reference to the House printing. If dissatisfied,
like the majority of the public, that the bargain
contracted between these persons is opposed not
only to public policy but to public morality, it
should report in favor of at once annulling it
and of disquallifying any of them from ever
again holding the Office or from participating
in its benefits. II is only by making severe ex-
amples of this kind that Congress can hope to
impose check upon the corruption and profit
gacy which are invading its halls and bringing
disgrace upon the national representation. II
the committee have the least regard for their
duties ns legislators, or for their own position
as gentlemen, they will not hesitate to hold up
to public exposure and punishment all the par
ties to this most nefarious job.
To prevent eHectually, however, the repeti-
ton of such disgracefui arrangements, and the
wholesale plumber to which they must lead it
seems TO US that there il another course to
pursue, and that is for Congress to place the
disbursements under this head in the charge OF
q special bureau, and to do away altogether
with the Office of public printer. This would
remove one OF the bones Of party contention,
and diminish the temptations to legislative
ycnaiity.