Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1872-01-05
rHE EVIL EFFECTS OF WAR.

40G 1
War Is the same breeder Of corrup-
ton in all countries. and France proves
no exception to TIE rule. Several
months ago the National Assembly at
Versailles appointed u committee OF
fifteen to examine all war contracts
concluded by tho Government since
the 18th Of July, 1870. This Commit
tee presented two reports, n on the
manner In which Paris was provi-
stoned before the siege, and the other
OH the purchase Of arms and ammrn'-
ton. Both have excited intense In
d~iynation, for they show that the Gov
crnment, partly through incapacity,
partly through corruption. suffered
from gigantic frauds. Although pro-
visions were abundant the contracts
were awarded to leading Imperialists
and their favorites, at high rates. On
n potato contract alone the Govern
ment was defrauded out of eight mil
lions Of francs. Among the contrac-
tors were bankrupt merchants, profess
sloual gamblers, and even a notorious
woman. Under the Provisional Gov
eminent similar frauds were commit
ted, although not on so large a scale.
How like Is all this to the history Of
our own war of the rebellion, not only
In the magnitude Of the frauds but In
tho character Of the contractors. The
second report Of the Committee on
Contracts Is equally startling. Not.
wlthstanding the war was preceded
with the announcement that Franco
was we'll prepared for tho event, in n
few weeks it was found there were IN
the arscnals no muskets, no cartridges
and forces had to b equipped without
delay. Tho Minister of War issued
orders for the purchase of45s,O mus
kcts within two weeks. They were
not In France. The leading dealers
and manufacturers Of firearms had blu
a small stock on hand. Nevertheless:
the Imperial Government awarded
contracts for tho whole number ut eX'
brilliant rates, not to respectable
fins, but to journalists, stock specula'
tors, members Of tho Legislature and
Adventures. The very counterpart
Of u W times, the corrupting In
f~luences OF which we have not yet out
lived, but are severely suffering from
In almost every department where
public moneys are exposed to the IA
pacious touch of those who "tastet
blood" in the era of contracts. Per
sous In France, as here, who Offered
under official advertisement could no
obtain contracts without consentiug t
accept ut a large advance, and pay
ment was often withheld until tin
contractor agreed to give a receipt 70
a much larger amount than he wa
entitled to. The French people, how
ever, have n consolation over US II
the United States. Not n few OF thu
persons who so basely defrauded thei
country In the hour Of its need arc II
prison, where many Of our shoddy con
tractors ought to be Instead OF flaunt
ing their ill-gotten wealth, as many
OF them do. One Of the dire evils o.
war Is the corruption which It engen'
ders and fosters, to the great debase'
ment of persons and the weakening
and dsmoralizing Of governments
National and municipal credit now
suffers severely from causes traceabls
directly to war times, and there i
reason to fear it will DO long before
tho pernicious effects will be oblit
Grated. Only a determined and per
sistent effort to punish fraud and t
put the purest men in place, will et
feet the desired result.