The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-03

The Case OF the Comptroller Of tho Cur
rency-The Publication Of the Public
Offices by General Grant.
The evidence given recently before the
Congressional Committee on Banking and Cur
rency is published In to-day's HERALD and
will be found to possess some curious features.
The testimony of the principal witness, George
R. Rutter, will not be likely to create an im-
preston favorable to that individual, yet the
charges he brings against Mr.. Hulburd, the
Comptroller Of the Currency, coupled with the
developments already made in regard to CAL
lender and others, will convince every person
that there has been great looseness and impru-
dence, If not actual dishonesty, In the manage
ment of that important bureau. Indeed, the
fact of Mr.. Hulbnrd's prompt tender of his
resignation and of his release from duty-a
mild word for suspension-for thirty days
seems to justify the belief that he has been
guilty Of official misconduct. But we are
told, nevertheless, that his defence has been
prepared and placed in the hands of the
Secretary of the Treasury, and in view
Of the character of his accuser 1t
will be nothing more than right to await
to the degree that Rutters testimony would
imply. 1t seems scarcely credible that gen.
tleman occupying responsible and lucrative
position under the government of the United
States should descend to such paltry corrup-
tions as are alleged by Rutter against HUI
burd; yet few will be disposed to doubt that
there is quite sufficient ground to warrant the
acceptance of the latter officers resignation
and the publication Of the bureau over which
he has presided.
are humiliating to our national pride; yet
their persistent exposure by the administra-
ton and its friends, and the prompt remedy
applied by President Grant whenever a case of
corruption is established against public
officer, are encouraging and hopeful signs of
a better condition of affairs in the future.
The demoralzing effect of the war, and the
moral looseness consequent upon the sud-
den accession Of new and hungry
party TO Office at the commencement
of an era of extraordinary and lavish expendi-
ture, left official corruption behind them as
their natural fruit. The administration Of
Andrew Johnson, with its Tenure of Office
law and its entire destruction Of RESPONSE
bility, only served to aggravate the evils en-
gendered by the war, and left to General Grant
a government permeated by dishonesty. 1t
has been the task Of the President to ferret
out crime and to purify every department Of
the public service. The labor has been her.
culean, and the devotion with which General
Grant has persevered in 1t shows alike his
honesty of purpose and his great strength Of
will. His political opponents, who pretend
that he has commenced the work of reform
at late day, fail to show single instance in
which the government has not been more
honestly administered under him than it was
prior to the commencement Of his term Of
office. The enormous revenue frauds, now
being prosecuted to final judgment, ceased
almost Immediately after his accession to power,
and from his first year of office up to the present
moment official corruption has been rooted
out as soon as its existence has been satisfac-
torily shown. There may be more left for
General Grant to do !; but we have confidence
that he will not disappoint tho trust reposed
in him by the people of New Hampshire ana
Connecticut, and soon to be expressed ~ inc
people of all the States in the Union. Az
Washington and elsewhere he Will commune
the work of publication regardless OF personal
considerations. 1t is in this belief that the TWO
nioneer States have taken their positions
npder his standard for the Presidential cam
paign, and it is in this belief that his rc,elec.
ton for another term will DO made almost
unap;mor- In the Electoral Colleges