The Cairo evening bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1868-1870, 1869-07-13
nOCKLER.
THE CHARGES pREFERRED AGAINST
HIM.
Duty 81 the city Council.

City Treasurer Mr.. John Hyland, and
the City Clerk, Mr.. Patrick Mockler;
and all eyes are now turned upon the
Council, before which the charges pre-.
| ferred against the Clerk will this evening
! be laid by the Mayor.
The first charge is: THAT Patrick
Mockler, City Clerk, has violated his
duty, in this, that, be has issued licenses
without proper authority; without au-
thority Of law has received monies tor
these licenses; and, upon demand re.
peatedly made, has refused TO pay these
monies, thus improperly collected, to the
officer Of the city, who, under the chart
er and ordinances, Is the proper custo-
dian of the citys funds.
The second charge IL still more serious,
and asserts, chat Patrick Mockler, City
Clerk, has violated his duty and proved
himself unworthy Of public confidence
in this, that he proposed to me, John
Hyland, City Treasurer, to dishonesty
and corrupty divide with me monies
coming into the city treasury for lcen-
ses."
The third Is more general, viz: That
Patrick Mockler, City Clerk, has, in
many ways, proved himselfincompetent,
negligent and derelict in the discharge
OF his duty as public officer.
These charges are OF damaging char.
acter; and, If true, leave Only one path
along which the council can pass and pre-
serve the good opinion Of the people, and
that path is: conviction md remOUdi from
office.
We make this declaration earnestly;
make ii in the belief that every member
ofthe council will applaud it-that 1t
will be the rule of action upon which
each member will act.
No one need tell Us, that sympathy IL
too apt to warp justice. We know this
truth. The events OF each day give TO IL
continual verifcation. Too often guilt
escapes punishment, and sympathy Is
the shield that turns aside the shafts OF
justice. We have 10 doubt that SYM
pathy for Mr.. Mockler will, In this mat
ter appeal 90 many OF the members Of
the councils but we have too much con-
fidence In the official integrity OF the
majority TO believe that they will fall
short OF duty; that they will DO less than
the facts In the case demand shall be
done; that they will shrink from even
an iOta OF responsibility. il they do,
they Will thus infilct upon the city ire
parable injury.
This matter Is not be triled with, and
the member Of the council who allows
either sympathy, or Partially, or preju-
dice to influence his action lays perjury
to his soul. Here Is an officer charged
with dishonesty. He has received six
days notice Of his trial; has been re.
quested TO appear before the council and
clear his reputation Of the stain Of suspi-
cion. The witnesses are ready; the mat.
ter is fresh in the public mind. No bet
ter time than now to OBTAIN justice. The
accused, If innocent, rejoices at this OPP
portunity he has TO put down his ac-
cuser, and will embrace il without hest.
tatlon; and the council II 10 Il earnest,
IL IL has the interest OF the city at heart,
will not hesitate, but enter boldly and
without delay, in the presence Of the !
public, into an investigation OF the mat |
ter. Let everything be open as the day. !
No caucusing, no reference Of the mat
ter TO n committee, which, acting in the |
dark, may strangle the charges. Eigh- |
teen members Of the council, acting I'M |
der the public eye, are more likely TO do |
justice than five members acting in Sc
crecy, and influenced 10y pressure. IL, /
back of this matter, there are other mat |
tiers that demand Investigation let them, |
after this Is disposed Of be Investigated, |
no matter whose toes are injured. But |
just now the charges against Mockler |
are all Important; and, upon them,
without mixture with other charges, he
should be convicted or acquitted. III the
evidence, patiently heard, does not sus-
tain the charges, let the accused go free
and continue to perform the duties OF his
office; but, IL the charges are sustained,
of with his head so much for dis
honesty.
IT. in the face OF clear evidence oJ his
quilt Mr.. Mocklor should be acquitted,
good bye all hope OF guarding the peoples
money! The food Of corruption would
low with accelerated speed. The city
would become the prey of official buzz
yards, who would gormandize upon its
rob it in daylight, and curse
Il for any objection il might make. And,
TOO, the party that elected these men,
or partial, or corrupt
would, and should, be held responsible;
and the people would be fools, the most
oil mi A. Ia 1