The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-04
Gpemins State gu,trnaL.
Vow THE MONEY WAS sQUAN-
DERED.

missed exhibit OF the accounts OF tha
wretched partizan body, the City Council
We did not believe when the farce of or
dering the account was enacted that any
honest exhibit would be made. The peo
pie are clamoripg at our silence; we can
therefore, wait no longer, but must pro
ceed now further to expose the rottennes:
Of our city government. q9a llas
just in proportion as mans bad actions
increase do his good deeds decline. 1t il
not alone the vices he takes on, but tht
virtues he casts off which sink him. II
is the result, combined action of these two
causes, which has SO terribly demoralized
the Council. We are glad that Journal
istic duty makes it improper for us to re-
cognize in the crime committed the par
ticular hand that did it. There is happily
theory of impersonality that hides the
form and features of the conspiracy in the
crime committed. We are allowed the
liberty only of denouucing the wrong and
detesting, as we heartily do, the vice. To
rebuke the individual is the solemn duty
of the people; we can only speak of the
whole body, or rather the responsible ma
jority of it as a unit. Popular judgment
and public justice will condemn, execrate
and punish the guilty individual.
We know that the city debt has been
increased during the last year $668, 129 SO,
aud that there is now deficiency of
$456, 1922 to bo provided for this year.
We know that this runous increase of
debt, and this enormous added burden, is
the result of the reckless mismanagement
of partisan Council that now holds the
responsible power OF taxing and sauander-
ing remorselessly; that recognizing no
moral obligation to be faithful and eco
nomical in the use cf the peoples money,
they have exercised no restraint, but rioted
wantonly in the fullness of their irrespon-
sible power. a@ aa
We know only this--pubIic justice knows
more--its inquisition for blood reaches to
each and every one of the individuals con-
cerned in this outrage. When we have
exposed the doings of this body of reckless
spendthrifts, our duty will be done, but,
unfortunately for them, it is just there that
the retribution of the voter begins. We
point out the act he fixes the RESPONSE
bility where it belongs and then Furnishes
justly.
THE POLICE SERVICE. ~
To-day we call attention to the police
service of this city--not to the mon nor its
to so much of its manage
ment as has been in the exclusive control
of the Council. We confne ourselves to
the acts of that wretched body of spend
thrifts, because we believe that all, OF
nearly all, OF the extravaganza, waste and
peculation to which this misgoverned city
aud plundered people has been subjected,
as well as the degradation caused by
bankrupt treasury and broken credit,
and a public disgrace resulting from a de-
bauched public service, are justly charge
able to the Council.
Whatever else may be said of the Coun-
Ill appointed by the military authority.
t was greatly more respecta BILE
TO ly than the present Council. (Of course
We speak only of official acts). That Coun>
Ill was economical where this one is ex-
sravagant. 1t saved money to the city,
while this one squanders the public reve-
,ue it had no jobs, but this one is the
yery personiication of jobbery it is in
act the only real rival which that den of
hieves and infamous band of rogues, the
Common Council Of the city of New York,
las on this continent. 'veA
The Military Council, in view of the |
improved peaceful condition of the city, |
educed the strength of the police force
rom about one hundred men to eighty, to
AXE effect on the first of July, 1870. The
otal expense of the police force under
heir administration in 1869, with one
hundred men on the rolls and full COM
'iciucut vi olliCefS. was p0U,O l. uc
of the force one-fifth in men
md officers ought, and would, under an
lonest management, have produced a de-
rease of $4,000 in expense. What was
he result in fact The expenses for
$40, with the reduced force, was $685.
100. When the Council reports, we would
10 glad to have them explain this de-
icency of at least SIT 900 That is the
Inference between the 5000 decrease
nd the $4,000 that ought to have been.
We know of course that the Council
will never tell voluntarily what became of
his money, nor to whom it was paid. and
ge therefore are compelled TO impart even
be little information we have on that sub
ect. There are mems names on the pay
oil who receive pay, but who have done
opolice duty whatever rhis item alone
ids largely in making up the deficiency
eferred to.
We are also informed that about $9, 900
vas paid to extra police. Could anything
,e more shameful than this ANe know
hat there is no CITY of the size of Rich |