The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-04-05

still They Como.

NO day passes without bringing to
light some new defalcation. AS the days
OF the Administration diminish, the
thieves who support Grant, and de.
nounce any form of opposition, seem to
multiply. They are all of the loyal
stripe, and, what is quite remarkable,
whenever an officeholder steals widows
pensions, or robs the till of the Treasury,
the telegraph or the pensioned press, is
quick to assure the public that no loss
will occur. At best it is only slight
irregularlty, and the robbery is usually
estimated at about one-tenth of the ac-
tual amount Only few weeks ago,
Collins defaulted here, and the missing
money was stated at sic, 900. 1t has al.
ready reached $1,000, and is still grow.
ing. When the United States Treasurer's
office was pluudered, owing to loose
system of accountability, which would
disgrace a huckster's shop, it was a
mere 6dgate'le, but it soon ran up to
$50, 900, which Mr.. Spinner, who ham
dies millions, thinks a trifle. A few days
ago, Baltimore, and on Monday Maine,
contributed their quota. The recent
average of stealing has been about $780,
600 day, among respectable" and
unpretending rogues.
Just before the adjournment of the
House yesterday, Mr.. Hooper, from
the.Committee of Banking and Currency
reported resolution, recommending a
change in the office of Comptroller OF
the Currency, now held by H. Il. Hurl.
burd. of New York, one of hepillars of
the Administration. This mild recon-
mendation by no means reveals the
real facts of the case, as will be seen
when the testimony comes to be print
ed. This officer has the supervision Of
seventeen hundred national banks, and,
in fact, stands as the guardia of the
peoples interest against fraud or specu.
lation. 1t Is established that Hurlb urd
Systematically protected rotten banks
for money, aud this practice has been
going on with the knowledge of the
Administration for years back.
When Hurlburd was reappointed, a
few monthsa agoto this great trust which
he had so notoriously abused, the
strongest protests were made to the
President, without producing any more
effect than those which the merchants
of New York urged against the swind.
ling practices of Leet & Stocking. He
was renominated and confirmed by the
Senate, though the corruption of that
officer was not unknown to many upon
the Radical side.
And now, when the crimes have be-
come so numerous aud glaring, that
concealment is no longer possible, even
a Radical committee of Congress is
obliged to demand the dismissal of this
man, who has been sustained in Office
against the most overwhelming evi.
dence of guilt. Whether the President
will respond to this expression of the
House by prompt removal, or shelter
him as has been done in the the New
York Custom.house, by a shameful
evasion, remains to be seen. Mr.. Dawes,
the leader of the House, took occasion
to interpose inquiries as to the action of
the committee, in order to prevent the
subject from being ventilated on the
spot, and perhaps fer other reasons
which may appear hereafter. An ad-
journment was then carried and the
testimony ordered to be printed. The
committee stood six to two for the con.
viction of Hurlburd. Wash. Patriot.