The Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1870-1875, 1870-12-28

subordinates, and now they abuse it
with equal virulence because it mani
tests disposition to enforce the laws
without fear or favor. If, as stated.
the Doctor is behind with the Gov
ernment in a large sum Of money. the
Administration could not honestly do
anything else than take prompt and
vigorous measures for its collection.
IF the Doctor has been 50 foolish as
to report money received by him when
it hadn't been received, as stated by
the Sentinel, surely he cannot com
plain if the Government takes him at
his word, and insists upon immediate
payment.
The Sentinel closes its lengthy ar
ticle with the following paragraph:
We have known DIR. Andrew Lewis
for many years, and have lived in the
same town with him, but, though po-
litically opposed to each other, we
have always recognized him ss an hon
orable, upright gentleman. He is a
leading member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Princeton-a
man OF wealth and enterprise, who
believes in keeping his money actively
employed in business, and has done
much for the community In which he
lives. For many long years he has
had dealings with the people of Glib
son County. and it would be difficult
to convince them, no matter to what
party they belong, that he would be
guilty of embezzliDg Government
funds. We predict that this afro
cious attempt to disgrace and degrade
him will recoil upon the heads Of the
movers and authors of this mean and
inexcusable persecution.
We, too. have always recognized
DR.. Lewis as an honorable christian
gentleman. We sympathize with him
in his misfortune. for it is q misfor-
tune for man to place confidence in
his friends aRd be left by them in the
lurch. But We can not see why the
administration should be abused for
doing is duty in the premises, or Why
Senator Morton should be assaiIed
because the administration does its
duty.
The Vincennes Times. in comment
ing on this matter, uses the following
language:
We regret to see by the reports
from Indianapolis, that the Treasury
Department has decided to begin pro-
ceedings against DR.. Lewis. of Prince.
ton, Ex Collector of this District, for
embeZzlement under the revenue laws
Vague rumors have been afoat for
some time of his failure to settle his
accounts at the department, but his
friends claimed that when he should
be credited up with delinquent assess
ments, there would only be a small
balance to be paid to square up his &C
counts. This now seems not to be the
case, and a writ has been issued for
his arrest. The Doctor has always
borne q high character for honesty
and uprightness, and there will be
great sympathy felt for him in the
region where he is personally known.
If, however, it shall turn out that he
is a defaulter, he should atone to the
offended laws and suffer merited pun
ishment.
We do not yet believe that DR..
Lewis has embezzled one cent of the
government money. But we can not
overlook the fact that his confidence
in his personal and business friends
has seriously embarrassed him in
making his settlements with the In
ternal Revenue Department. We
continue to hope and believe that he
will come out of this ordeal, without
so much as the smell of FIRE on his
garments.