The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-01-11

NSSf~sSo'
CONGRESSIONAL ISvEsTIGATIONs.-Investi
ing committees were appointed during the last
Congress to examine into various abuses, in
volving improper expenditure of money to the
amount of several hundred thousands of dol
lars, in different departments of the federal
government There was committee to inquire
into frauds connected with public printing,
whose labors brought to light grave populations
and robberies, resulting we believe, in the in
dictment of several persons. There was, for
the Navy Department, Brooklyn Navy Yard
Investigating Committee, resulting in the dis
covery of proAigacy of expenditure and raacally
distribution of patronage by which the country
was annually swiRdled out of very large sums
of money. Then there was the Willett's Point
and Fort Smelling overhauling in the War
Department with the finale Of which our read
ers are acquainted. If the manifold iniquities
in all branches of government had been pro-
perry examined into, hideous aggregate Of
guilt would have been made to appear.
Unrefecting persons might be inclined to
attribute the blame for this abominable state
Of things to the heads of departments. This
would be unjust, for their hands are gene
rally pure, as far as deriving gain from their
high position is concerned. Each President
of the United States calls new Cabinet
into existence, whose members find affairs, in
their different spheres, in the state they were
left by their predecessors. They are igno-
~ of <ho Hoto of huc tho inv
nuity of roguery so completely covers over the
means that are employed to defraud the treasu-
ry, that whole terms may pass away without Cab s
that are glazing to each subordinate under
him. 1t is, in fact, by these very subordinates
that the mechanism of robbery has been con-
trived, and is made to work smoothly, without
unnecessary noise. They are the legacies that
have been left by one corrupt democratic ad.
ministration to the other, until they fill nearly
every berth in the public gift. Long impunity
has brought them into firm and incurable be-
lief in sort Of "divine right of bribery and
dishonesty. They are better acquainted than
their superiors with the routine Of office, and,
leagued as they are with outside plunderers,
so avail themselves of the confidential know
ledge which their positions enable them 10 OBJ.
tain, that, with small salaries, they frequently
amass considerable fortunes. There ought to
be clean sweep made of these old stagers, and
new, pure men put in their places. From the de-
partment of the Secretary of State through to
that Of the Postmaster General there is no.
thing but worm eaten timber, and there is no
o41>r khon h - III
sound material put in its stead.
1t is probable, after the House Of Represen-
tatives is organized that nearly a score gilmore
OF less atrocious schemes or system. of pecu-
mary corruption will be brought up, and that
a considerable portion of the time and labor of
members of the present Congress will be spent
upon the investigating committees appointed
to examine into them. There is little doubt
that committee will be requisite to inquire
into the working Of the plan for registering
moneyed letters and especially into the details
of management Of the New York Post Office.
The shameful manner in which Custom House
Inspectors, and officers generally, are permit
ted to impose upon, insult and rob strangers, to
examine their persons and carry off their pro-
perty, acquiring large gains from pecuation, pill
iering and official burglary cannot be too close
ly looked into. When the time comes we shall
be prepared TO give some hints, and to aid in
throwing light upon this subject There are
many other points which the people will look
to Congress to have cleared up; but, In the
meanwhile, if Cabinet members wish to avoid
future trouble, let them substitute distrust for
the confidence they now place in many social
ed experienced men in their employ, and
adopt the suggestion we have made with regard
to their removal.