Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-11-20
Extortion upon the Government.

The idea prevails among a certain class of specu-
lat"rs that the government is always fit subject
for fleeing. What belongs to every body and what
every body has to pay, in their estimation, may be
grabbed for with both hands This rule we fear,
has been practced to large extent both upon The
State and Confederate governments. Bur(lened as
our finances are, which crippes US in our struggles
to sustain the Southern Confederacy, yet there are
found men who do not hesitate to swindle the gov
eminent whenever the opportunity serves. Incom-
petent officers are made to play readily into the
hands of such men, and the public treasury is thus
shamefully plundered.
We have heard it said that some contractors in
this State have made from five to ten thousand dol
lars clear money in two three months. Perhaps
they have rsked much and only made living DO
fit upon their investments. If so, 1t is all right
But then it is said, many inferior articles equip
ments, horses and such like, have been thrown up
on the government at high prices. OF course the
proper officers have looked into this and will not
allow the State to be swindled. Again we have
heard it said that in some one or more instances
State agents have contracted for bacon at IS cents
per pound, with the addition of two or three cents
per pound freight, while even the shop keepers in
the State only asking from 20 to % cents.
We mention these rumors simply to guard the
government agents against eXtortion If the proper
officers do not apply the remedy the people will
We know not under whose auspices these extOrlions
have been committed. Nor do we hnooc that these
rumors are true the letter. but so far as we have
been able to ascertain are pleased to state that
| since the arrangement under the militia law
| has been introduced, great activity and industry
prevails in the Offices, and every effort
is made to the services of thoroughly compe
! tent men, Under the very best management errors
or losses will occur, but at time like this, when
our expenditures necessarily SO heavy, we
not be too frequently admonShed of the Importance
| of careful and pains taking frugality.
! We learn that speculator short time since ad-
dressed letter to an Assistant Quarternaster pro-
posing to sell HIN blankets for the army, made of
wool and cotton, at the same time recommending
the article The Quartermaster wrote him that he
must see sample and know the price before he
could purchase. The sample was sent and the price
| fixed at ST per pair. The blanket coverlet was
! examined and found not to contain particle of
finger could have been forced through it easily, so
badly was it put together The Quartermaster re-
turned the cotton rag, declining the trade.
| Since the above was written, We have been in
formed by respectable authority that since this
commenced the strange policy has in some instances
been adopted in this State of sending out agents to
buy articles for the army, not for stated salary,
cut on commissions. The more the agent bought
in amount, of course the greater his pay. In some
cases we are told that such has been their anxiety
to make money out of the government, they have
actually bid against each other for the same article
In one case one agent contracted with gentleman
for bacon at 10 cents per pound and few days af
ter, another calling himself State agent and under
stood to be such, offered the same gentleman %
cents for the same article! If there be any truth
IN this statement or if any thing of the kind has oc
Cured the parties should be exposed. We fear we
are swiftly vergng upon that period in the worlds
history when if not before the time is now at hand
that "every man has his price"