The sun., 1870-08-26
A Startling Picture Of Our Executive.

WAsHtNGION, Aug 21-Ihe nnprant dis
regard of duty and even deccucy exhibited by
the President and Cabinet in abandoning their
official trusts here and seeking pleasure at the
peoples expense, is justly exciting resentment
all over the country. The independent and manly
course Of THK SuS in exposing this and other
outrageous abuses deserves the highest praise,
such as the London 7i,las received for laying
bare the deficiencies and frauds in the British
service, by which thousands Of lives were sacri-
feed in the Criu,rsn war.
Initiating the Example Of their suporiors, sew
eral chiefs Of the bureaus have found it conyc-
nieut 10 travel and to take their ease hundreds Of
miles away from the capital Consequently the
public business is in arrears and confusion, and
the clerks their own masters. When such
facts are considered, it is not surprising TO see
subordnates with neagre pay driving fast horses,
sporting fine clothes, and building snowy houses.
Everybody knows such things cannot be done
on small salaries and the suggestion is natural
that the means for this sort Of indulgence de-
rived from opportunities afforded by public office.
They are exposed to temptation by the want Of
strict supervision and by the absence Of high funo
tionaries who are charged by Law with that re-
sponsibility, and well paid for fulfilling it.
Take single example Of the practical effects
Of this disorganization on the public service.
The mail for New York leaves here at Q o'clock
at night, yet letter cannot be registered after
o'clock in the afternoon. Thus five hours are
wilfully and shamefuy withheld from the public
convenience, because some official is in search of
recreation abroad.
There is one feature about the absenteeism Of
the President and Cabinet-and it doubtless ap-
plies TO other ofieers-which is positively dis
creditable 10 one and all They travel free OF
expense over nearly all the railroads, and on the
steamboats,, with the best accommodation. This
privilege is not confined to them as officials, but
includes their families, whether larg or small
Mr.. Fish and his family free pass for the
palace car on the main roads. and so do his
colleagues. This desdhead system, which
might be excused in the case of seedy Bohe-
nians, is utterly unworthy the President of the
nation aud his Cabinet advisers. by accepting
that sort Of favor, their freedom aud integrity Of
action are seriously compromised at a time when
railroad combinations and monopolies are be-
coming the most dangerous enemies Of the in
terests Of .hc people at large.
President or member Of the Cabinet, who ten
years ago should have consented 10 rec>iye this
sort Of equivocal hospitality at the hands OF
gigantic corporasOns, would have been branded
from one end Of the Union to the other as a mer-
eensry, who had degraded his trust and was I'M
worthy OF confidence or respect. The salaries Of
the present incumbeuts are sufficiently large TO
pay for railroad fare, and TO at lessi the ap
pcarance Of independence Aud the private for
AZ mel Mr. sh uuh 10
furnish an additional reason against travelling at
the cost Of the public.
Andrew johnson had some conspicuous faults,
but, marked rs they were, his personal honor was
never impeacAci aud lie left Office without any
of the stigmas which have since then attached to
that exalted station. Soon after his iuaugula-
ton, number of personal friends who knew his
poverty purchased becoming carriage and
horses for his use as President They were
oGercd without ostentation as present. But he
kindly though positively refused to take the gift,
and from that hour TO the day Of his retirement
no man darod approach him with any form of
present The contrast in this respect with his
successor needs no comment. The latest news
here is, that u new set Of admirers Of Cen Grant
on Long Island have presented or are about to
view TO divide the attractions with Long Branch.
The wantOn disrespect shown to the memory
and character Of Admiral Farragut by those
who traded upon his influence aud commanding
position when living, is the most heartless and
dlSgraceiul exhibition ever witnessed in this
county. No term of reprosch or criticism is
too severe for it, The President and all his Cab
net were within few hours Of the place of his
burial, and they had been, as they still are, wan
dcrlnS far and wide for mere amusement. Yet
upon call Of duty, which appeals to every in
slluct Of prOpriely, not one Of Them appeared at
the funeral Of that gallant sailor and patriot, or
were even rcprcsenD ed there. II there was the
least csPri dt corps or maniness left IN the navy,
no uinccr who respected himself would consent
% recognize Mr., Robson If er his irsut to the
dead hero. Porter might in one sense be ex-
cu'ed from following TO the grave the remains of
oae who understood him WELL and did not con-
ceul his opinions.
If farragut had died in Europe, he would have
received every honor that could have been offered
10 ms illuStrlous career, But here at home, where
ms great services were so valuable, the President
whom lac had aidcd continued 10 smoke aud talk
morse, The Cabinet 10 swing around the circle,
and the so-callcd Secretary Of the Navy to swag-
ger at walering-placr, and The rcl Secretary to
attend TO yacht race, while minute guns sounded
the requiem of the glorious old ADMIRAL. A. ,
,h'Sa men had craw tod into place, using m,,ch nf
..a ."1p olY to help them on. SPEcr.ron -