Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-07-10
Ssmnll RrOfifs-


manner in which Government officials making
"small profits" out of the necessities of the coun
try and at time above all others when strict
integrity and rigid economy should be the rule
1t says, " fraud and corruption in high places
have become the standard subject of national
Reproduction. We have seen n retiring Cabinet
officer censured by vote of the House Of Rep
resentatives, for the digraceful acts, involv
Ing citizens whose reputation had before been un
stained. We have had tremendous job in the
chartering Of vessels for transportation, we have
volumes of testimony duplicating high officers in
the army and their assistants, we have pending
resolution to expel Senator who received pay
for procuring contracts for muskets and there is
a long roll of charges Of fraud and villainy in
high and low places remaining for investigation,
which are enough to appal man who wants to
have faith in human nature, and American char
acter. But is it only these gross frauds. these
grand robberies which demand investigation? Is
IL not sadly true that vast number of men who
are servants of the Government, are willing to
receive money which is not strictly and honestly
their due. if there happens to be any old custom
of receiving in that way to keep quiet their con-
sciencesf And is it not true that the prevalent
habit of getting money from the Government on
any and every possible pretence. in small sums
and small ways. by Senators and other officers,
leads to the great frauds which astound and shock
the moral sense of the country?
We have before US a letter of the Clerk of the
House of Representatives in answer to a resolu-
ton of the House on the 9th ult. transmitting an
account of the expenses of select committees
appointed by the House The account shows the
profit made by members of Congress (who are
paid also by the year every enc knows when
they serve on select committees. The items are
mostly small. but the aggregate makes thousands
of dollars The items axe chiefly mileage. at ten
cents mile. and expenses" at three dollars a
day. Perhaps these charges reasonable and
proper, but in looking down the account We are
startled at two items which are inexplicable. ac-
corCiing to our views of the duty of Senators,
and the object of Government in paying them
annual salary.
Among the expenses of special committee to
investigate the destruction OF the Norfolk navy
ynr,i are the following items:
j. W. Grlmes: Services as member OF the Senate
committee to investigate the surrender of Nor
folk navy ward. &C. from November s 70 No
vember 81, 1861 inclusive, % DAYS, at s. per
dsv $500. ........ $40 w
Jan. l3. ls62. Received payment.
j. W. GRIMES.
Approved: John p Hale
John r Hale: Services as member Of Senate
Committee TO investigate the surrender of the
Norfolk Navy Yard. &c. from November TO
November 81. 1861, inclusive. 10 DAYS at s.
per day -. -........Sl2c W.
Mileage, SO miles at 10 cents. $50. les 80
$3.50 50
We do not know what is the custom in regard
To paying Senators - per day tor services as
committees of investigation. But it's cert,inly
proper to suggest the inquiry. and that u the
end that If such a custom exists. il may be at
once discontinued The small leaks must be
stopped il the ship Is to saved. There are terri
ble stories told of hospital frauds in the way of
fuel, amounting in gross TO very large sums and
these IN the city of Washington. There are &C
counts OF robberies OF army stores charges OF
corruption in the purchase of supplies of every
kind and there is universal conviction that
large per eentase OF the great expense of This
war goes to the pockets of robbers. But ii Cab
iuet officers and Generals set the example. and
Senators aud Representatives pocket small sums
which fall in their way. what be expectedI"