The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1864-10-01
Where the Money Goes.

Wnere the Money Goes.
We have repeatedly spoken Of the
shameful waste Of the funds of the gov.
ernment ir this hour of the nations
greatest need. We see by the Topeka
Record that our remarks have hit the
nail on the head. That paper speaks
of the matter as "twaddle." Why
Because the editor is one of the very
men se hit. who is robbing the treas
ury BY receiving a salary for which be
makes no just return. He says it i,
necessary for the military population Of
Kansas to be enrolled, whether there i:
any draft in the State or not, in o:del
that it may be known how few or how
many men We are justly responsible for
Very well. But what is the use of pay
ing three sets Of hands for doing wla,
one set could easily accomplish ? Why
don't you answer that, Mr.. Record?
You say in large congressional dis
tricts the law provides for more thar
one set Of officers. Certainly. where
there is necessity for more. But il
that the case in Kansas? Every mar
of ordinary intelligence knors it is not
Take your own case. Yoa get 81 500
year and perquisites, and you have
not performed $50 worth of work pei
annum. A clerk, we have no doubt,
will do all you have done for that sum,
and glad of the chance. Are you no,
taking something from the government,
than w;th9pt returning lust sQuiya.
lent? And have you not enough intel
iigence to know that the government
needs every cent of that 81 $50 and per
,quisites you take from it annually foi
nothing? And do you not know that
this is no better than downright robbery
in the essence Of the thing? Can you
be true friend of the government while
you are thus robbibg it. in It's hour Of
utmost peril. of the very life-blood Of
its existence +? Answer these questions
fairly and honestly. Meet them as a
patriot and man-J you can.
All your loud professions of loyalty
and radicalism amount to nothing with
thinking and honest men while you thus
belle your words by your acts. 1t is
easy enough to talk patriotism. "Words
are but wind" Bat it is quite another
thing to act patriotism by giving up a
hold upon an office. the pay of which
Is a shameless robbery Of the treasury.
DO something if you wish any honest
man to believe in the genuineness OF
your loud -mouthei loyalty.
And what We say of you. We say Of
the whole class of which you are one.
All the men who are holding needless
Offices in Kansas and getting pay for
doing next to nothing, are no better
than thieves and robbers. They are
getting rich off Of the blood and tears
Of the nation. They are 5ush,rhackers
upon the national treasury. and they will
yet become stencil in the nostrils' Of
the people.
You officers get your pay-for noih'
ine-aud who foots the bill? The peo-
PIE, your neighbors and fellow-citizens.
You are robbing them. Morally. you
a,ad just as we'll go into their houses
and take the money from them. OF
every dollar they invest in stamps. in
high-prices for living. one half goes to
pay she JushwAackers upon the treasury.
Think Of this, citizens of Kansas
One-half Of all the expenses OF the war
goes 10 the useless ofiice-holders and
plunderers. Remember tha! when you
pay one dollar to the government, fifty
cents Of that sum goes into the pocket
OF plunderer. You are patriotic. you
are noble and generous. You give freely
because you believe tina! what you give
goes to sustain the gosernuent and
carry on the war. Blu, i. is not so in
full. Only half Of what you give gees
for that purpose: the e.ber halfis swal-
lowed up by the miserable wretches
wlo are growing rich out Of thel var
and the troubles OF their couniry. and
are trying 10 prolong Tie conflict Mat
they may grop racher.
And who is responsible for This state
Of thingsiin Kansas? james H. Lane
You have all heard him speak, aud ia
his speeches boast that he got he egaessI
far his friends You know this is one