The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-27


The Legislature Of the State Of New York
will assemble at Albany on next Tuesday, the
LIST day Of January, 1861, under circumstances
that demand from the members composing that
body careful and well considered action in
regard to the organization of the lower branch
of the legislative body. The Developments OF
corruption and gross frauds in high places
during the past year, eliminating in the THEFT
and robbery in the departments at wash
from present indication, VIII In
volve the head of almost every bureau at our
national capital-have aroused feeling in the
public mind that completely overrides the Sc
cession excitement and all other questions
that have of late stirred the national heart, and
awakened all lovers of the Union and the con-
stitution to the dangers Of the hour. The de-
claration of the secessionists, the attitude OF
South Carolina, or the cotton States, is second
In the public mind to the astounding news
from Washington of the official recklessness
and frauds of those who are in positions OF
public trust Those men who have been
counselling together to preserve the
Union of the States, and maintain in
violate the family which has SO long
prospered whilst recognizing the same head,
and with like aspirations controlling their
actions now stand appalled, before the defal-
cation in the Interior and Treasury depart
ments of our national government Itwould
seem az if black cloud had suddenly appeared
on a clear sky, the proportions of which had
caused all to tremble before its threatening
presence The indications are that this conta-
gion for plumber is likely to extend to almost
every department at Washington, and the only
course left for the President to pursue is to
dismiss his entire Cabinet, appoint new men in
their places and instigate rigid and thorough
investigation. There is no other alternative for
our Chief Executive but a promptand decisive
action in this respect, to defend his own charac-
ter and remove suspicion Of completely on his
part.
With these startling facts fresh before the
public, the course of all the Legislatures in
those States where the party that has come out
successful in the recent election have control
more especially that of the State Of New York
will be watched with more than usual anxiety
by the public, to see If there are any symp-
toms of reform in our rulers The organiza-
ton of the popular branch of the Legislature
in this State is Of the greatest importance at
this hour of secession and robbery. We see by
the several party journals in the State
that the Speaker Of the last State Assembly is
again q candidate for that position. Can 1t
xlo% sr of kho hare cnd
rascality of the last Legislature in regard to
the legislation for this city-a legislative body
that has been styled the most venal that ever
assembled at the State capitol-in connection
with the startling disclosures from Washing
tom, Mr. Littlejohn has the least show for an
election to that post Of honor!
If the republican party wish to convince the
public of the honesty of their pretensions, and
the fulHlment of their promises to bring the ad-
ministration Of the affairs Of the nation back to
its original honesty and justice, they must
throw overheard all who have been mixed up
with the populations at Albany. No person
engaged in the crusade of the lobby in the
schemes last winter can be again placed in
power by them without the republican party
receiving the just indignation Of q virtuous
public, not only in our State and nation, but
throughout the civilized world. No other party
ever had so great duty before them as has the
dominant party Of this State at the present
time The question Of the selection of officers
of the next State Assembly, in view of the pre-
sent complicated state Of affairs, is one that
rises above all party lines, and should be look
ed at free from party prejudices by all who
have been chosen by the people as legis-
lators. Should Mr.. Liulejohn. let him be
ever SO innocent be again elected to the
post Of Speaker, 1t will be taken as de-
claration that the rascality Of last winter is
endorsed by the party; that the same reckless
policy is to be continued, and will drive from
the public mind all hope that more whole
some and healthy administration will follow
Lincoln's official oath.
II is not necessary at this time to refer to the
course OF Mr.. Littlejohn in the last Legisla-
ture to prove this assertion, or show that his
election to preside over the popular branch Of
the Legislature Of the State Of New York will
be particularly injurious in the present con-
dition Of the public mind, not only to the
party which elcvates him, but to the country at
large. II Is SUFFICIENT to know that the last
Legislature left an odium behind II such ~ was
never before known by any Legislative body in
the State, and that he was one Of the leading men
in that body, taking an active part in favor Of
those measures commonly denominated corrupt.
Even admitting that his motives were pure and
beyond suspicion, the fact of his being con-
spicuous In favor of those projects alone
should prevent his aspiring TO that post Of
honor at this critical time, much more his
election by party that has just been success
full In national contest
We are now at turning point In our
career as a nation; the ship of State
that carries the hopes and happiness Of thirty
million souls, forming the most free and pros