Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1839-01-03

III. u
Indiana. He convicted Mr.. Spencer of gross frauds
showing from reference TO public documents, which
we're read, that the Secretary OF the Treasury was
cognzaut of the fact Of the dealcation. lie showed
TOO that the defalcatons were not exposed
of the elections in the States where they were com
mtted. lie read eighteen letters, the object of which
was TO show that certain officers of the General Gov
eminent were defaulters, and defaulters with the
knowledge of the head Of the Treasury Department
if OF the Executive He then stated that the Sec
rotary OF the Treasury had shown that there no
delalcations. no longer since than February, 1857
Ia March, 1888, public account Of the defalca tons
was published. lie then proved the Secretary Of
the Treasury had knowledge Of defalcat,ons, which
began in 1884. To sustain these broad positions
letters and circulars were read from Mr.. Woodbury.
and his subordinate officers in different parts Of the
country.
:. He examined into the dcfacation of Mr. Harris
of Mississippi two years and half in office and
kent there deauIter, with the full knowledge of the
Secretary OF the Treasury that he deiaulter
He quoted correspondence, reading eighteen letters
from Mr. Woodbury. to VIM. ID. Harris alone, for the
purpose Of showing that Mr.. Woodbury. did not
speak the truth when he sad in 1897 no knew no.
thing Of dealcations.
" All this correspondence took place during
period ofthiriy months. Mr.. Harris in the meantime
had been petted and excused and had rec all nos
sbie tayor from the head ofhe Treasury Department
lie had secured what public money lac could, and had
hen resigned his place.
why it was that this VIM ID. Harris was continued
in office durning the whole time he known to be
public defauer to the Government WHY did
not the President remove him why Because he |
did dare do Mr.. Harris was a man of
great influence in Mississippi. lie was a jealous
and powerful minister and therefore he was not re-.
moved, although he was known to be a defaulter.
''Iu view of the facts connected with Mr.. Harrs's
tefaca,ous, said Mr.. Prentiss, | cannot but mourn
over the epravtv OF the tunes and the deep DISGRACE
he fact | hav m cd
Try. | mourn especially over the depraviy which |
has shown itself since Harris resigned defauer 10
the Government to the amount of 100000. What |
followed The APP nment Of another delaucr-
a Mr.. Boyd,-wlo became as bad and more a de- |
fauI,er than Mr.. Harris,
"Mr. Prentiss then spoke Of Mt Boyd, who was pro-
claimed delaulter-known TO be so, and kept in Of
flee as dciau'ter. lie spoke too of letter written
by James Shea, beginning the forgiveness of this Mr.
Boyd. Shea expressed his conviction that Boyd |
would go and Sill He felt sure that he was
penitent, and would not be again tranSgressor.
Shea saul, " Don't appoint arother man, because
Boyd is truly pentent, and if third man is appointed
he will be very likely to do as Harris and Boyd, his
two predecessors, have done before him-become a
deaulter also" Mr. Sheas advice had its effect, aud
tor long time Mr.. Boyd was kept in office
The parcul Of Boyd's detacaon and that Of
Rogers and of Linn, were explained at length, and |
many important facts connected with them. Ofthc !
go letters referring TO this ect the special report
than 200 Of them con- planned Of violations of
duty on the part Of public officers"
What hdeous catalogue Of crime-whar a list |
of criminals in high sation-to backen the pages of
early history. Where in the older countries of
Europe, shall we look for more numerous or more
appalling instances Of corruption in the public Off
cers-where, for such still more appalling evidence
OF public insensibIliiy TO crime! More appalling,
because it shows either that public sentiment itself
grossly corrupted. that party spirit stronger than
our rcpugnance to the basest and oft-repeated in
fractions Of one of the first principles of every
code Of morals.
We close the disgusting chapter with an earnest
appeal TO the people,-male, we hope, in a spirit OF
patriotism rather than OF pary,-to discard the I'M
worthy Influences which have so long blinded and /
perverted their judgments--o displscc from office
msn who are grossly incompetent, these facts
show, if they rot siill grossly criminal
and to change their rulers, if it be only |
for space long enough to examine into the
extent Of the robberes which have been com
mlued their purse, aud cleanse the Au-
sean stable of the ogues who have so long fatten-
ed IN its stalls.