Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-02-08
AN INTERESTING STORY
Wherein fs shown the Beauties OF
Boffng-Sharp Practice of n Re-
cefver-friendshfp's Offering Io-
ries Of LObbyfng-and Power Of
Money over Mind.

l
Thieves" has been reversed in the story
of the School Fund" which is the most
interesting picture of loyal" honesty
and pure simplicity that has been
given to The world since Dickens
wrote "Oliver Twist" Everybody is
delighted with the plot; and the circum.
stances and incidents are SO charmingly
told as to elicit the widest and deepest
sympathy. No one can read it without
shedding tears, as the Honorable Mem
Der from Shelby did in the State Capitol
no one can study its characters without
feeling glow of pride and patriotism in
his bosom, and exclaiming, in the lam
guage of the venerable Mullins: This
is cedar among the trees of Lebanon, a
rose of Sharon, and lily of the Valley,
to be remembered as lovely spot in
memory's waste as the shadow of q
great rock in the desert" The opening
chapter is well of love, cool and refresh
ing, bubbling with beauty, and sparkling
in crystal clearness. Nothing 10 mors
touching than the simplicity of "high-
toned gentleman " called Hutchinson
when he says: My brother takes out
blank draft, which have instructed him
to use in the purchase of quartermasters'
certificates" Fagin's instruction to the
Artful Dodger is not more worthy of re-
spect and admiration. There is q sub
Unity of sentiment in the advice given
that elevates itinto the realm Of poetry,
and makes one wonder how such pure
and spotless man as Hutchinson could
remain in Washington so long without
his talents being fully appreciated and
rewarded. He seems to have been fond
of boring, and drove very deep into the
pockets of Rutter. He also loved oil,
and regarded petroleum stocks as "re-
markable chances for investment" But
this great borers shrewdness appears
dull in comparison to the keenness of
character named Hill, who, in q pious
and confidential way, says to Rutter:
Appoint me receiver and I'll divide
with you" That sentence contains the
essence of all that is fair, and Rutter tes-
titles to it in this wise: " l never received
cent from him; on the contrary,
he has logged me for money
time and again" How sweetly those
words of confidence and coincidence
sound in the ears of upright men,
directing their minds to certain passages
of wit and merriment between "Iago "
and " Roderigo." Every day thou
dof' ct me with some device" remarked
the Venetian gentleman to the Moor's
Ancient, and rather Gas it seems to me
now keep'st from me all conveniency
than suppliest me with the least advantage
of hope" All F! Hope told fattering tale
when it induced Rutter to appoint Hill
receiver, and shows into what depths of
wildness an innocent man will run when
boon companion tickles his fancy with
promises of soothing nature, even if
they are as brittle as pie-crusts. But
perhaps the most interesting chapter in
the story is the third, wherein is depicted
in rainbow hues the friendship, love and
kindness that existed between several
high dignitaries of the State and the
supplemented, generous-hearted, un.
suspeciipg banker. 81 have given
money to many parties" says Rut-
ter; "among them are Spence. Null
Inns, Arnell, McElwee, Eaton, Davis,
Hall, Wines, Mulloy, Richards, Mum,
Duggsn, Barbour Lewis, Parham, Hep
burn and Martin" all men in high posi-
tons, controlling the destinies of the
State, and especially the moral and in
tellectual training of the children in pub
lie schools-a fact highly laudable, and
exceedingly satisfactory to parents who
expect their offspring to turn out polished |
sparks of society. One Of the principal
class-books in schools hereafter will be |
the Confessions of lobbyist" and
we commend the revelations of Mr.. Par
ham to the earnest perusal of all peda-
gogues, in order that they may be able
to furnish their pupils with such in
formation as will enable them, when
they graduate with honors, to raise the
wind in the manner of that Jolly good
fellow and saint of society, Jeremy Did
dler. Ny plan" says Parham, sis to
become acquainted with members OF the
and in a social way seek
their good opinion by drawing resolu-
tons, bills and charters. In addition to
this offer to discount the notes of mem
bers, or offer them moaey as they may
need it. l sometimes give a suit of
clothes, as Rutter did to Mulloy; and at
other times hundred dollar bill, as
Eaton received for travelling expenses
/ spend great deal of cash
for drinks, suppers, drives, loans, etc"
What delightful profession, so enter
aiming and SO jolly, so full of fun, and SO
ncorruptibly grand as to become the
glory of the best govern
nent the world ever saw" The {
asst chapter of this delight
ull story introduces a new theory in the I
science Of reasoning which sets aside
he pet dogmas of Kant and Locke. |
This theory bears a strange iitle-Pewer {