The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-14
sP1RxT OF THE PRESS.
Editorial Opinions Of the Leading Journals
upon Current Topics-Compiled Every
Day for the Evening Telegraph.
WHAT WILL HE DO WITH TIP

WI1hl WILL I1L4 ~ wan -
From the Beaver Radica.
When MIR. Lowry introduced the resolution,
under which for two months the Finance
Committee of the Senate have been endeavor-
ing to harass Mackey, there was no one in
that august body who did not appreciate its
significance. 1t was introduced after the
nomination of Mr.. Mackey, and before the
villany of his defeat had been imagined or
agreed upon. 1t did not mean that Mr..
Lowry was suddenly stricken with mania for
reform, or had all at once opened his eyes to
the fact that the Treasurer did not keep the
funds of the State in strong box, on which
he sat constantly with his finger in the key
hole, for it is matter beyond conjecture that
Mr.. Lowry knew precisely tho contrary, and
has heretofore profted by his know
ledge. 1t meant that the schemes of
Lowry and his conductors for the
capture of the public funds, and the
emoluments to be derived therefrom, had
met with total and bewildering defeat and
that their malice craved a victim ere they
died. The original resolution was restricted
to the investigation of the financial transac-
tions of the current fiscal year, and Mr.. How
ards supplement, enlarging its scope to three
or four years of the past, which afterwards
passed, was no part of Mr.. Lowry's pro-
gramme. In brief, it was Mr.. Mackey,
not the Treasury, nor even the Game
TOu MIX NWudOoNOh ehaV
bel that was to be investigated it
was Mr.. M. entangled in the thorny
thicket, like the ram of old, who was to be
led to the altar of sacrifice, while Irwin, the
son of reform, was to go free, and the paren-
tai heart of Lowry to soften to duty, while it
went unwrung.
The composition Of the committee favored
Mr.. Lowrys idea. Mr.. Billingfelt, its chair
man, was reliable in his hostility to Mackey,
So, .4t1 ali xyst Woll md
McIntire, both Democrats, and, from party
associations, bound to prosecute the inquiry,
constituted its majority. Mr. Wallace had
special incentive to directness and thorough
ness, for his party were impressed with the
belief that they are annually defeated with
money drawn from the State Treasury, and
that the widest speculation and iniquity are
resorted to, to supply the deficit. And with
"a host Of furious fsncies,
Whereof he was commander"
he led the attack and pressed it with vigor
until its failure was imminent. 1t resulted
that in no instance could the enemies of the
Treasurer establish the calumnies to which
they had given currency, and Mr.. Mackey's
examination failed alike to damage the man
or to justify the action of the Democrats
and the boilers in his defeat. The commit
tee have dragged the pool thoroughly, and
caught no fish
In striking contrast with the frankness of
Mr.. Mackey is the conduct of his successor.
While the candidate of the corruptionists
submits to the epperimentum crucss, and
comes forth unharmed, General Irwin, the
reformer par excellence, declines to tempt its
perils; called before the committee after its
sessions have dragged through six weeks,
with its purpose and proceedings public, he
asks week to examine the official papers OF
the departments, which he fails to do. Again
reappearing, he files document prepared
and filed month previous, positively declin-
ing to be sworn-again and again reports his
refusal, though tempted by an intimation
from Billingfelt that the committee would pu
no embarrassing questions, and coolly
turns his back upon the dignitaries
of the Senate, seemingly caring
little for hia own reputation ol
the character of his supporters, so that, like
his cousin Nasby, he can grasp his Post Office
The committee, the Senate, and the Com
monwealth draw their own inferences The
former directs its chairman to report the fact
to the Senate, but he declines to do so, ant
when demand is made upon him in oper
forum, he is still harping on my daughter
He wants to report something about Mr.
Mackey, and battles fercely to prevent tn,
Senate from taking official notice of stat,
of affairs known to every one of its mem
bers. If Irwin has damned his reputation
for integrity, and slaughtered the reformers
Mr.. Billingfelt is an accessory in no meal
degree.