The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-03-10
WHAT Is GOING oY ~ WAsHIyGIox.
Canada In the Lobby-Ian ReciprocitY be
Coz In thai Way t-WiIl Admiral Porter
unds-NewspRprr tOrrespoudcnts-
Corruption IN the Suprcmc Court.

WAsnINGIuN, March G-Durirg del ate
in the Dominion Parliament the other dny, Sir
Francis llink, stated that confidential commuui.
cations were passing between Ottawa and Wash
ington relative 10 reciprocity, which in their pre-
sent unfinished state would not be laid before
tho House. SIR Francis did not state that Can.
ada has been keeping open house here this win.
ter on II street; has regular agent in the per.
son u one Brega who was employ 81 a. sort of
runner for the Treasury, and vas formerly re-
porter for the Herald, of doubtful standing; and
that considerable sums Of money, TO say nothing
Of dinners and other persuasive influences, have
been employed To conquer the prejudicos Of Con-
gressuen. and To smooth the way for a return 20
the profitable trade which Canada cariied on with
Us, until the treaty was terminated. The best
thing We can do is 10 let Reciprocity severely
aore, until all outstanding matters with Eng
land are adjusted. We can afford 10 wait, and
meanwhile Canada may learn whether her pre-.
sent position is the most desirable one foT her to
occupy In the future.
Certainly this lobbying process, which has
been going on here since Congress met, will not
help the matter along, but rather invite suspicion,
both from the agent who is hired TO job the
scheme. and the means that have been used to
second bis efforts. Mr.. Garfield aud others
might well abandon the attempt to revive Re-
ciprocity this year.
II is understood that legal reclamation will be
made upon Admiral Porter, for variou. objects ~
furniture and The like which fell into bis Lands
during the campaign on the Mississippi by the
real owners Of the property, who do not seem u
think that war was intended entirely Tor personal
advantage
o'ewill be made, and very properly too TO
cut "a newspaper correspondents from the clerk.
ships Of committees in either branch Of Congress
This thing has become a nuisance, aud ought to
be stopped Every proper newspaper should be
able TO pay its agents here Besides, this con.
necuon gives privileges to one class of news
papers not enjoyed by others, because an clriks
are admitted to the door This Is a great con.
veulcnce for legitimate business, from the bone.
fits Of ready conference with members, by which
time and labor are saved 70 the press II Con
gress will have correspondents for clerks Of com
mittecs, then the influential newspape should
insist upon having the same right to the foor as
Others.
We are living IN strange tunes. The condi.
iions upon which appointments to office are
made degrade both the giyer aud the receiver
There IS no parallel In the whole history Of the
country including the worst days Of Tylerism,
which Was an epoch by itself There have been
two vacancies in the Supreme Court, and, IKE all
other places, they were much sought for Re-
Gently, that tribunal made decision declaring
all contracts prior to 1862 TO be payable 10 gold.
This decree was troublesome to some people and
all their wits have been excrted 10 get rid Of il.
Consequently, efforts were directed To stop any
appointments TO that bench which did not sym
pathze with reversal of the late decision. Aud
the nominations were tied up until assurances
were gwen that they were sound on the goose"
About this there is no doubt and il Is a most sad
reflection upon our institutions that the Court Of
highest resort should be thus tempered with 10
promote a particular interest. What safety can
there be for principles, when such prostitution Of
the ermine ia possbleS Everywhere else in the
Government decentralization ard corruption had
already penetrated in one form or another and in
greater or less degree. But II was hoped tho
Supreme Court would be kept free from such dc.
graduation az has been witnessed on tho part Of
those who have entered ia portal stained with
committal and complicated with unworthy con
ditiOns. sYKoTAion