The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-03-30

will become known, and the people VIII ma out
why it is that it takes eighty one millions OF
dollars per annum to carry on the operations oil
our ooNernment, when about half that sum has
usually been sufficient. and when respectable
and prominent members Of the party in power
declare that this sum, with an economical adj
ministration of affairs, is ample for all necessary
purposes in time Of general peace. Nearly
every day has added something to the develop
ments which have been taking place, and which
show an amount and variety Of rascalIty and
connvance at rascaity on the part Of govern
merit officials agents, attaches and favol1tes,t that
brinps home afresh to oar recollection the
assertion of senator Toombs that 4'this is the
most corrupt government on the face OF the
earth, !" whch-we may say in passing-has
recently been substantially endorsed by senator
Andrew johnson, of Tennessee. We never
could quite believe these extraordinary state
ments Of senators who stand high in the conf
dence Of the democratic party, who are friends
and active supporters of the administration. We
felt and still feel unwilling to have sentiments
50 damaging to the credit and far fame OF cur
country from those who have SO good an oppor-
tunity to know whereofthey affirm, to 90 abroad
and we suppose all patriots must necessarily
share in the chagrn which such circumstance
naturally enough causes. We still think that
these senators must have spoken in moment
of excitement, and that they allowed themselves
to exaggerate or to draw upon their tancles
somewhat at least.
But the developments that have been taking
place at the capital, if they do not 90 to the
full extent Of verifying and proving the exis
tence of so desperate and astounding condl-
ton of government conuphons, fraud and
swindiing, certainly are humiliating and dis
graceful and ought to rouse the whole country
to the absolute necessity of a thorough over
hauling of the disreputable and infamous prac-
tees which have grown up in our government,
and have almost reached A eliminating point,
become so bare faced and atrocious that they
can no longer be permitted to 60 on without
endangering the very framework of our lnsttu
tons-preparing the way for their easy and
speedy overthrow. We may employ party clap
trap as much as We please, and use the stereo-
type phrases about principles and platforms till
we are hoarse, there is no honest man who will
not cheerfully admit that the very moment our
government, in the control of whatever party
for the time-being, reaches the point at which
ordinary honesty and fair-dealing in the man
agement of its affairs are no longer deemed
essential by and binding upon its officers and
agents, from that moment it will begin to de
cline to its fall, unless such course be promptly
arrested.
No government, and least of all no republi-
can government, can hope to exist long which
encourages or tolerates gross and general cor
ruptions, dishonesty and injustice Hence, the
frequent, bloody revolutions that have swept
over the fairest countries in the world, laying
waste their prosperity and filing them with
nameless plaques We have most striking
illustration of the legitimate effects of this
yenality. profigacy and pecuIation on the part
Of a government at this moment in the actual
condition Of Mexico There honesty in gov
eminent officials has been the exception, bribery
and corruption in all its fostering forms, the
rule The same causes carried 10 the same
extent will produce the same results here and
everywhere else 1t is idle to expect any other
results.
The telegraph for several days past has been
loaded down with the accounts Of proceedings
in congress in regard to the abuses which have
crept into our government, reports Of commit
tees, debates in the senate. etc etc.
The majority and minority reports of the
committee upon the coTuptons III the navy
department, both admit the existence of gross
abuses. The majority report, which emanates
from the friends Of the administration, IS com
PEELED to admit that, in the Brooklyn navy yard
at least, "glaring abuses" do exist, and that
the coal agency OF the department for some
time past ''has been in the hands Of persons
wholly inefficient and grossly incompetent -
certainly very strong language, and which was
evidently extorted from the majority through
the pressure Of overwhelming and undeniabe
testimony. We give the first two resolutions
reported by the majority verbatim as follows:
! That the testimony taken in the investi-
cation proves the existence Of gIaring abuses in
the Brooklyn navy yard, and require the inter
position of Legislative reform-that it is due to
Justice to declare that these abuses have been
slowly and gradually growing up during 2 long
course Of years, and thatno particular admins
traiion should have the entire 5iame thereof
2. That the coal AGENCY for some time past
has been in Tie hands Of persons wholly ineff
cient and grossly incompetent, and thatreform
is needed in the regulations which exist on the
subject, and that there is no proof which traces
any knowledge Of such ineficiency and incom
potency to the responsible authorizes in Wash
lngton.
In the third resolution it is said that Tic the
secretary Of the navy did contemplate any
favor to Swift''-a favorite contractor-he did
not intend to bestow it to the detrimcnt of the
government which we should say is virtual
Of favoritism to contractors on politi-
cal grounds, with which Of course a protested
regard for the good Of the government may
always very easily be incorporated. Office
holders ana their special friends generally,
think the salvation Of the country depends upon
keeping them in Office and rich jobs! It's all
for the good of the country. Tile minority
report after minute examination Of the facts,
winds up with the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the secretary of the navy
has, with the sanction Of the president, abused
lis discretionary power in the selection Of
coal agent and in the purchase of fuel for the
government
Resolved, That the contract made by the
secretary Of the navy, under date Of September
%. 1858, with W. C. n Swift for the delivery
Of Iiyeoak timber, was made in violation Of
law and in aGmanner unusual, improper and in
furious to the public service.
Resolved, That the distribution BY the sec
ret a,yr Of tho nav If te patr aca of the navy