Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-04-03
OLD SERIES.


abandon their political principles and rally
to the bread and butter standard. Many
good men were removed, and their places
filled with bad ones. and but few of the
new appointments were 6t TO be made -
The larger portion of those who rushed
eagerly and ssif,ly. like hungry burzaris.
10 the embraces and patronage Of Mr.. John.
son in the summer aud fall Of that year we're
men who had failed to receive what they
believed their services merited in the parties
TO which they belonged. and who were will
ling 10 sell taeir political principles. and
souls too. for the sake OF the crumbs that
fell IRON their newly chosen masters { bic;
political weather cocks who had no con vic
iions that they could not easily waive for
( the sake Of obtaining an Office or con,in-
uing in ore already obtained.
These men. for nearly year, literally
swarmed around the President. and while
with one breath they praised him AS the
greatest statesman of the age. with the next
they demanded the price OF their devot ion.
a man who will sell himself for a place will
sell himself for gold when the offer is made.
/ The rc.nrns some of the men have made OF
( the production OF dis, illeries aud other bus
mess over which they have been placed
fully prove that bribery is a principle to
In no other way can the facts that are con-
tinually coming to light be explained. The
over taxed people of The country have been
swindicd out of from one hundred to one
hundred and fifty million dollars. At the
lowest calculation. within the last year by
( these Johnson Off ,iaIs. AN constrained
20 believe tha; \ straight.out Democratic
/ Administration would have mad. better ap-
pointments than those reicr % aud am
certain that the Republican party, to do It's
worst. could not find in its ranks another
instillmen; Ci men 50 waiting in all the
elements that 60 to make up COOL public
officer As those who went out from them to
espouse the cause of A1.lrew johnson.
Thee remarks are not by any means to
DC understood as applying to all men who
hod official positions in the revenue de-
par:ment. Very many good and true public
officers appointed by Mr.. Lincoln. the Pres
ident, has (,hanks TO an incorruptibe Sem
ate) been unable to re'n)ss. IL IL also very
probable thai Nc. Joho,on Ia, appointed
some good men. thodgh it has not been my
good fortune TO know many such. Oncc
secure for the revenue what we arc now
losing by these dishonest official, and we
.e.ar ,,la ,ka
burdens OF internal taxation except on
spirits and tobacco This result. however.
csnno, be accomplished while the President
Is allowed TO perpetuate. through his chosen
instruments. these disgracsful frauds.
Mr. Rollins. the Commissioner OF Inter
nal Revenue, has struggled hard to secure
a faithful execution OF the law. but. With
the men who have been forced upon him as
revenue agents and other officers, his ef-
forts have been but partially successful. -
From time to time he has earnestly pleaded
for some action that would remedy the evil.
but without success ipIote few extracts
from bis communications TO the Secretary
Of the Treasury. 10 show that the attention
Of the Department had often been called to
the enormity of which We mDlain
"The laws themselves. and their con-
s'ruction. with rules. regulations. and IN
structions under Ihen, are OF little profit If
assessors and collectors lack either integrity
or ability. A tarnished reputation even is
a bipIerancc to 1acccss, and as much dis
qua l,fies a man for either OF these positions
a, for the pulpit or the b,nch He. too
should only receive appointment who has
won the confidence OF his community by
fidelity in other places Of tru Il. and who
will givs character To the Office, rather than
be who seeks prominence and Importance
through Off ial position, and whose princi.
pal claim is political service
"Unworthy mcn OF little ability NAV pos.
sibly answer for other positions on the civil
iist where there is less opportunity Tor fraud.
ulent collision without detection, and whose
incompeiency will not prove such terrible
cost To the Treasury bot unless great care
is exercised in the appointments Of which
avn speaking, the administration Of the rev
euue laws will be a rcproach and the laws
Themselves will soon become insufsrahle TO
the public. regardless Of party
Frequent changes OF Off .ers have al
; vays regarded =, Inconsistent with the sue.
E ccssful administration Of the revenue laws
. and because Of I have deeply regretted
the many changes OF the last two months
and cannot but hops that wih the vexed
! political questions measurabiy concluded
removals and appointments may be sub
. 'tarliaily returned by The President to th,