The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-02-17
From The Washington Patriot.
MORE FRAUDS.

rnptiom Although the increluous have
been startled by the recent revelations at
New York aud elsewhere. they are only the
loose tokens of fraud and yenality that lie
scattered about, and which the plundercrs
from long habit of impunity, hardly took
the pains to conceal. Miners would des
crlbe them as mere "surlace diggngs.n
When this crust shall be removed, aud the
interior exposed to view, then indeed will
there be cause for astonishment that such
monstrous prodgncy as is known to exist,
could be tolerated under institutions like
ours.
The public service Is dcG,oraized and
tainted with worse than suspicion in all its
parts. Federal courts are prostituted to
shelter conspicuous criminals, VIGOROUSLY
guilty OF forgery and conspiracy in de.
irauding the Treasury, because they have
boon Loyal partisaus aud Radical mana.
gers. The Radical maiorides in Con ress
have deliberately set their faces against in
ycstigation, or packed the committees to
whltewash iniquly, whenever inquiry was
accidentally permitted Within the las,
fortnight, the Syndicate operations Of the
Treasury, by which the law was openly
violated for the profit Of a selfish and pow
eiful Ring, the Secretary was not only
protected IN that outrage, but substantially
authorized TO continue q shameful system,
under cover Of which untold millions of
the peoples money are pocketcd by his
iavories
The chairman of the Committee on Ap.
preparations has declared publicly that
eight millions year of the Pension fund
are stolen, and divided among agents, aud
yet no legislation IS proposed to arrest this
ST. ali n.
Gus, aud the trials Of Stokes and Butlar. Of
Tennessee, in spite Of all the official efforts
to screen their crimes, disclose the sinister
motive which, clothing itself in the garj OF
pretended patriotism. induce the passage
OF laws to foster these yiilnuies.
Tins stupendous system Of plumber could
never have succeeded or attained such i'm,
mense proportions, without collision and
cooperation in the public Departments.
hat vice has become chronic and general,
although there are many honorable cx.
ceptlons 10 the rule. No clam of any
magnitude, however meritorious 1t may be,
eau hope to pass Department without the
consent of "a Ring which represents, in
some form or other, the employees who are
to handle the accounts
The investigation proposed by Mr.. Sum.
ner, IN regard to the sale Of arms and am
un'tiop to the agents of the Frehch Gov.
eminent during the FraucO- Prussian war.
Is but another link in the great cham of
corruption, which encirCics and binds the
entire service If the whole truth shall
ever be brought ont, then the country " i'll
discover that the example and encourage.
ment OF proilgate practice, have conquered
men who were supposed to be beyond the
reach Of all temptation. Great as Is the
money loss resulting from the frauds prac' .
us"d upon the Treasury, it sinks into in.
significance compared with the deep injury
INFLICTED upon private and p.blic morals
Itis ~ public notorirty that munitions of
war, to the extent Of many millions Of dol,
lars, were sold through the War Depart.
mcntto the agents Of France in 1870. And
II Is equally certain that the sums Of ,u oney
paid 10y the French Government for those
military supplies, and the sums returned u
the Treasury here for the sales, dilIc; in
the aggregate by several millions Who
received this large difference may hereafter
be developed. Who proti,cl By a Job, in.
yolyiug q distinct breach of neutrality. and
by what influence that offensive proceeding
was effected remains TO be inquired into.
Although the time has not come for cgit
lClsm Of these Transactions, one TACT cannot
escape aueriiou or remark now. At the
outset Of the war between France and
Prussia, the President issued proclaim
zion cniolnlrg an observance OF our duties
as neutral Daring that memorable con
test the sympathy Of these in authority was
usicnlauously protested on the side OF
Prussia. and with the evident purpose Of
concl'a'ng the German vote Yet it now
appears that at the very time when these
professions were loudest the Admiui,tr
ton not only sold to the French more than
hall the stock ga hand 10000 Of choice
Springfield rtiss,l besides batteries, &c,
but actually employed one Of the armorics
OF the United States at Eraukiord to mnn
iacture cartridges loC these niles Thou
sands of German soldiers fell before these
terrible weapons, and by ammunition suppl.
ell directly from a Government arsenal Tor
that purpose. This is the best practical
commentary upon the sincerity Of the sym
paIhy which was 50 ardentiy alicc,ed when
Herman support was needed to strengthen
the Presidents party.
The public aspect Of this conduct is most
damaging to the UHitel Ststcs We are
arraisnilg England before a high Tribunal
for iaIure to discharge her neutral obi.
s"'o"a 'Hl'h'ailyi anu charge lhai British
ports were used as "A base Of supplies Tor the
benefit of the Cunfederates. 1t Is not pre-
tended in any of these allegations that the
British Government allowed its public
arsenals or shipyards To be used fer these
objects, The charge is, that ''due dill
IN preventing the escape of cruisers built
or owned by private parties, aud that some
OF them were subsequently nourshed in
BRITISH ports. n claim for direct losses
and vsat consequential damages is set
up, resting mainly upon this basis.
Such is the law which we propose to ap.
ply to England. Such are the principles
I.I