The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-09-07

a petty stroke of official malice and re-
venge which had been impending for some
time has fallen at last Yesterday morning
Attorney General Brewster removed Jes. NJ.
Mcclure, esq from the office of Assistant
Attorney General. On Tuesday, the 18th
inst ant, Mr.. Mcclure received verbal re-
quest to resign from the Attorney General,
who informed him that demand for his re-
moval had been made by Governor Geary.
Mr.. MClure very properly refused to resign,
AS he had been guilty Of no neglect or fail>
ure in the performance his duty. But no
notification Of his removal was made, and
he continued in the discharge of his duties
until yesterday. The first hasty step had
been considered. 1t was not deemed pru-
dent then to listen to sentiments Of wrath
aud revenge. Governor Geary WAS already
too deeply implicated in the Evans transac-
tioE. AND it was greatly feared that the i'm
mediate removal of Mr.. M'Cure would only
deepen the popular conviction of his guilt
When it WAS found that MIR. Mcclure was
the possessor of too much frmne.s, hcn-
esty and courage to abandon the pursuit of
Evans and his confederates, his removal was
resolved on.
What is the offense for which Mr. Mcclure
has been removed He has suffered SIM
ply because of his fidelity to the interests of
the plundered and betrayed Common wealth
When he received hint that gigantic con-
SpiIacy was in existence. whose memte.s
engaged in robbing the State of hundreds OF
thousands Of dollars, he resoiutely and fear
le.sly went to work TO probe the viiainy to
the bottom. On discovering in the course of
his investigations that high fficals, incIuG>
ing the governor Of the Common wealth
were partners in the ID and sharers in the
plunder, he did not fater nor hesitate in his
task. While those whose official duty it
was to protect the financial interests Of the
State, were either conniving at robbery, or
utterly careless and negligent of their trust,
Mr.. Mcclure brought the villainy to light. :.
though he knew that removal from tficc
would be the reward of his services.
The case of Mr.. Mcclure is an example by
which public officers will not fail 10 profit
They must cUnnise at corruption and COM
pound official felony if they would retain
their places, and deserve the approval of
iheir superior5. Fidelity 20 the the public
interests is the worst of crimes. Had Mr..
Mcclure been content with pouring into the
bosom Of his official superior the secrets of
| which he had become possessed, in order
that that superior might turn the valuable
| Information 10 professional account, he
never would have suffered the loss of his posts
ton, nor would the Evans smbrzzlement
have ever beer discovered. But Mr.. Nc
| Clure chose to reveal to the citizens Of the
Common wealth the conspiracy of which they
are the victims, and he has fallen under the
official wrath Of Geary and Brewster. Had
be remained silent he could have retained
his eifice and have received share Of the
p!uuder, at the same time. But he man
fully and honestly resolved to perform
his duty. and in bringing this gigantic
Evans embezzlement to the ligh. of day, he
has earned the plaudits Of his fellow citizens,
If he has met with the displeasure of Brow
ster and Geary.
The removal of Mcclure was a bad stroke
for Governor Geary. He has only added
another strong suspicion to the thickly -ac>
cumulated proofs Of his connection with the
financial operations of Evans from first to
last. On what theory consistent with his
own innocence does he remove Mcclure for
discovering the frauds of Evans2 Are the
interests Of Governor Geary 80 closely identi-
fed with those of Evans that a blow given
to the one must be resented by the other ?
This removal of Mr.. Mcclure shows the in-
innate nature of the Evaus>Geary offensive
and defensive alliance. II Evans were not
| under the protection of Governor Geary
why does he punish the honest officer who
has discovered tho embezzement l.? This is
the question which the people of Penpsyl-
vania are now asking and answering. too, in
way which is anything but consolng to
| the Governor of the Common nwealth. .-Har~
risbn'g Patriot, lSt.