The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-08-23
The Pennsylvania Swindie.

When the fraud was first brought to
light by which the State OF Pennsyl-
vania has been swindled out OF third
of million OF dollars, under cover Of
Commission" for collecting war claims,
an attempt was made to hush il up by
assurances that everything was right.
But now that the facts have all come
out, and the exposure is complete. some
OF the Radical organs which happened
not to be in the ring, or being in, failed
to receive their share OF the plunder'
are virtuously indignant. The Harris
burg Telegraph vents its wrath in very
strong adjectives:
The gigantic swindle directed against
this State by those entrusted officially
with the collections OF war claims from
the Federal Government has been at
last fully exposed. The disgraceiul
fact, that every one against whori either
proof or suspicion is strong are Repub'
leans, humiliates us, but II cannot
swerye US from our plain duty
Now, while this spirit is 10 be ad-
mired, we should be glad TO zee il ex-
tended to the glaring corruption in Con
gress; the deialcations in the postofiice
and internal revenue; the robberiss in
the Indian Bureau, and, in fact, in every
other branch OF the public service, by
which tens OF millions are annually sto-
len, and for which the people are taxed.
These facts are just as notorious as that
which is now the subject OF comment;
and the proof would be equally specific,
but for the refusal OF the Radical major
ity in Congress 10 allow real inyestiga'
ton, and its habit OF whitewashing
rogues, when inquiry happens by acci'
dent to be permitted.
In regard to this particular case, q
double fraud was committed. Many OF
these war claims paid to Pennsyl.
yania, as TO other loyal States, bad
no legal existence whatever. They had
been 'disallowed, or, in plain terms.
rejected, for want Of any foundation.
and so remained iE the pigeon.holes OF
the accounting officers, until q King
was formed to carry them, by partisan,
personal and corrupt influences. That
Ring embraces officials OF the State.
leading politicians in Philadelphia, as
well as bankers, editors, jobbers, and
clerks in the Treasury here. They are
all we'll known, and can be named "
necessary. In one or two cases OF OH.
cial-. threats OF removal were employed
bv this powerful combination, To com.
pel acauiescence 10 fraudulent allow
ances. All the parties engaged 10 the
conspiracy are prominent Radicals, and
some Of them now holding high posi-
tions 10 this city and elsewhere.
These operations have been by no
means confined TO Pennsylvania. Her
three millions are but a drop 10 the
bucket, for the same system has been
applied by all classes Of claims, and the
plunder has been enormous. Nor 10 II
. anysecret that at least one OF the account
ing officers, who 10 notoriously counec
ted with these frauds, has been repeat
edly brought 10 the notice Of Mr.. Bout
well. without the least effect, and foi
the simple reason that he 10 protected
bv the Speaker OF the House Of Repre-
sentatiyes. In view Of such startling
developments. ii 10 not surprising tbal
numbers Of leading Radicals have sud
denly become rich, or that they sub
scrib be literally TO the cause and tc
churches. in order to conceal their ras
cality under q sanc,imopious guise.
The honest claim Of Kentucky
which passed through all the account
: ing Offices in spite Of the efforts OF th'
inside agents OF the Ring, because IL
Justice was iDdispuiable was fnall.
), arrested 10 the Secretary Office, by ~
D arbitrary abuse Of power, through tn
3 very men who did no, venture TO dis
= pute the allowance. II The agent o
that State had consented 10 the conrs
5 which was pursued by others, and o.
e lowed the accounts 10 be manipulated
e 80 as to magnify the amount three o
7 four fold, with o liberal slice Of th
commissions" every obstacle woul'
e have disappeared, and the claim hsv'
been paid without objection Washing
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