The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-12-31

who really loves his country will gladly
second any efforts 10 ferret out the
criminals: and one who is truly honest
would gladly aid an investigation. that
he might by implication or suspicion.
share in the guilt. OF course. they
who are guilty would become very in.
dignant over . movement which lad
for its object the fastening Of their evil
deeds upon them. But that should not
deter the administration from entering
heartily and rigidly upon the work Of
reform. Every true officer and loyal
man will hail any movement which has
the promise Of relieving the country
from the frightful ravsges of the army
Of plunderers.
We have really more to fear from
these than from The rebels. We can
whip the latter; but the former are
guaYing at the vitals of the Republic.
Mr.. Lincoln is now re elected and
will stand at the head Of national affairs
for more than four years. it his life is
spared, aud he owes it to himself, bat
far more to lis country.to remedy these
evils to the utmost. Az We have a.
ready remarked. the work is one sur
rounded with difficulties: but proper
system can be made to tell whether
every hundred or thousand dollars
charged TO the government is so charg-
ed justly or not. as we'll as system can
tell every man that is lost out Of a
million, whether killed wounded or mis-
sing, and if killed or wounded, where
the wound. and whether by shell, sb.,;
or sabre. Yes. one can be accomplish.
ed as well as the other by proper system
and rigid scrutiny into every transac-
tion. 1t would cost something. it is
tue; bu: one tenth of what it would
save would pay all expenses. and the
other nine-tenths would be saved 10 the
country.
For instances train is reported burn
ed or cap,ured.but it is not. The vouch-
ers are right to all appearances; but the
two or three hundred men who escort
ed the train safely to its destination
could give the lie to the lying vouchers.
and make the guilty quarermaster
disgorge his stolen profits.
Again, general in command of .
district buys up cotton and employs
government teams to transport it; but
the teams are branded Company A. B.
z. &c. Of the Regiment. The
transaction is noised abroad. an investi.
CATION is had. the Colonel of the -
Regiment is examined and testified that
he saw no cotton carried on wagons
bearing the United States brand. He
knew at the same time that twenty
wagons Of bis own regiment. govern
ment teams ia every sense Of the word.
only branded differently to cover up
the sin he and his general were parties
to, had hauled hundreds Of leads OF
cotton a, the very time specified. and
tha, his evidence was sub.erfuge, and
TO all inten,s. really. false.
I These are not fancy sketches nor
, casses drawn at random. The names
) Of parties and regiments can be given;
but it would subservs no good end 10
make such matters public, unless to
procure an investigation under favor
able circumstances. But it the parties
) should see this statement. they will a
once recognize its truthiulness; aud we
trus, conscience will do its proper worl
in their minds-if that monitor's voice
has not been silenced in their breast.
i by repeated frauds upoa the govern.
ment.
1 Fully one-half our national debt il
the resul, OF frauds. II only that was
owed which the government. should
justly pay 70, what i. has received. the
debt would be diminished one half al
least ? 1t is sad matter for the con
temptation Of the loyal masses. many oil
whom have given their sons, brothers,
friends sacri6c on their country's al
tar. that they must be taxed for years
and years to pay the needless portion
Of the national debt. which has gone
into the pockets Of robbers. thieves and
swindlers.
Will Lot our worthy Exscu tive give
his earnest attention TO this matter I? II
he is the true friend of the people. he
certainly will. In the name of that
people We ask him. as the great head Of
tbn m aa;on IA nofav ,,Uoc III. ~,o.L ~:,l