The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1861-12-06

NN'N
most corrupt Government in the world
This is an astounding declaration, and
vet, il seems TO have been deliberately
made by a Statesman who has been many
Years in the public service, with ample
opportunities for observation. And the
statement receives confirmation from nu-
merous reports of Investigating Commit
tees appointed by Congress from time to
time during the past thirty years Dur
ing all this period there seems TO have
been constant and steady advance in ex-
'ravagance aud corruption in all depart
ments of the public service There has
been, so far as we remember, no sustain
ed effort towards etlecting radical re.
form For the most part the same men,
or the same class of men, have controlled
the Government aud filled the bureaus of
department.. They have followed the
systems bequeathed them by their prede-
cessors, aud no resting point can be dis
carned IN the progressive extravaganza and
corruption which mark the history of
the Administration Of public affairs. Ac-
cldental irregularities have grown into
authoritative presidents, individual abu-
ses have become universal practices, and
the blunders of ignorance and the frauds
OF knayery have assumed the conference
of system undiscerned and undisturbed
by purblind redtape-dom Ii is to be
hoped that this system reached it's cul-
mlnating point of development in the ex-
fravagance, corruption, swindling, frauds,
bribery and downright stealing of the
late Administration We trust that no
man will rise in this Republic to contest
the.palm with the Floyds, Cobbs, n id omne
yeaas of the subordinatcs Of 1.-THE old
Public Functonary," under whose rule
our country was brought to tie verge of
ruin
But Systcmatized corruption will not
work is own cure The heads of the Ad-
mlnistratlon aud the Congress Of the ma
ton must interrosc in mutual efforts to
suggest the remedy aud apply the correc-
tive. 1t will not do FIR them to become
so absorbed with the war us to Leave the
routine OF administrative affairs to pur-
sue its own course in the old ruts worn
by corruption. Tie power Of Congress
must be exertcd to raise the vehicle Out
of the rnts of extravaganza and corrup-
ton, and to place it ON the rough but solid
road Of honesty and economy.
And Of first and of chief Importance
Congress should turn it's attention to the
financial administration of our military af
fairs, for II is in that department that the
vast energies and immense treasures o.
the nation are now being expended. A
system OF administration formed for M
army from ten thousand to twent,
thousand strong, resting in the lstles
ness OF peaceful posts and garrisons
demands revision when applied 10 hal
million Of men in the tented field. Blu
when Congress have fully applied the cor
receives IN that department Of the publ
service and inaupurated an efficient am
practical system, securing AN econom
cal and honest administration of affair,
let them not rest from their labors bu
rather let them turn, with faculties sharr
ened by use 10 the investigation of tn
system Of civil administration under whic
the nation has been impoverished and a.
moralzed, aud which has permitted If nc
produced such discracetul exhibitions /
universal oiiibal extravaganza. eorrnr
ton and fraud ,ss astounded the countr
during the term Oh the late Adminis,r,
ton Let the pruning knife be apple
with an unsparing hand aud if need
let The axe be laid to tie root Of the sy
ten, and let new system rise in i
stead
Let rs have, by all means reform
old abuses. and the Inauguration Of sy
-" winch shall tend 4 bring The &c,
eminent back 70 the principles and pra
tees Of economy and integrity in all ii
qualifications Of public administration.
Mayor Wood Defeated
The dispatches from New York Tue
day night, announced the very gratifyi,