Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-26
A SUGGESTION IN BEHALF OF
JUSTICE.

We believe it is in Napier's history of the
Peninsular war that mention is made of the
Duke of Wellington's opinion Of suffers and
army contractors, the amount Of which was
that proposal to do either was synonymous
with intended fraud and POPULATION. Wedo
not charge that all the suffers and army con-
tractors in the recent war we're dishonest
men, for doubtless there arc numerous in
who have held such positions against whom
We impnte nothing. But the remark of
Wellington was in the main true, az is ex-
emplifed in the many trials now pending
throughout the country for swindling Of this
sort. By far the larger portion Of these
gentry have not been, and most likely will
never be brought TO trial
We allnde to the fact, however, fer the
purpose Of saying that the ends Of justice
would be more fully attained, if upon the
trial and conviction Of one Of these guilty
parties, in addition to the fine and impris-
onment which may be assessed as punish
ment, measures could be instituted TO force
him 70 disgorge all of the ill-gopen gains
he has not squandered. Instances come
TO light in which large investments in
real estate have been the result Of this
successful roguery; partnerships in lu-
crative branches Of business have been
formed; purchases Of diamonds have been
made, and in many other ways dispositions
which are traceable by the due and regular
processes Of law. If these could be obtained,
the purpose Of the law in the punishment
Of the criminal and the repression Of the
tendency TO crime would not only be accom-
plished, but such restitution made TO the
Golfers of the State as would better qualify
a farce TO permit a man TO be proved guilty
Of stealing hundred thousand dollars, and
simply fine him five thousand dollars, and
award him term of years in the State
prison. lie can easily pay his fine, and
with the remainder he can buy an influence
% cheat the law and the prison of its dues,
ter, il is true, but if he have the bulk of his
theft left, still with the means TO retrieve it
greatly in popular estimation, and live
shining example of successful rascality.
But if the Government in condemning him,
would, at the same time reclaim her own, it
would better subserye the object of all putt
i've measures, and be the better enabled to
do Justice TO the claims Of honest citizens
whose substance was used for Government
purposes, and who get neither compensation
for its loss nor credit for the service they
nave done
There is not military department from
the Aroostook TO the Rio Grande, in which
there has not been money enough stolen to
pay for the destruction of the property and
the losses incurred by every honest citizen
in it. 1t is a grievous hardship, that this
latter class should go unpaid, but the fact is
that they are denied payment, and on the
ground, too, that topay them allwould bank
rupt the Treasury. There may be some
thing in this plea, but if the Government
would go vigorously to work to overhauling
the thieves, and take from them their pro-
perry to the amount lost by the Government,
many honest men almost impoverished by
the unpaid acquisitions of the Government,
would stand at least some chance of receiv- |
ing portion of their dues.
We do not know if this suggestion is |
practicable, for we are not skilled in the |
devious EPutine of official machinery, and
do not Know that it will be gracious in the |
eyes of those who might make the expert |
ment, but we believe it would be just, and |
it has that Recommendation if no other.