Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-07-20
W0 RCES TER.
SATURDAY. JULY so. 1879.


MIR. Fent0n's present political condition. 1t
shows that he has become in spirit and aims
copperhead democratic advsnturer; and that
he means, in this character, TO Guido tire most
INSCRIPTIONS of his new political associates.
He has but little talent for anything but politi-
cal intrigue and stealthy jobbing. In attempt
ing anything else, he always makes poor
figure. In this case, he merely repeated
what has been said by democratic newspapers
and speech makers against Mr.. Boutwel's sue
cessful management of the treasury, going so
far, even as to praise the wasteful and theving
management under Andrew johnson. The ac-
tual purpose of the speech appears to have been,
first, to convince the democrats that be is now
as perfect and complete democrat as there is
anywhere in the country; and, second, that
Reuben f. Fenton is the fittest man in existence
10 be made secretary of the treasury.
Nobody regards Mr.. Fenton as honest He
is fully understood by all parties and has his
own record. His relations with Fisk and
Could, while he was governor and afterwards,
are well known, although he sought to manage
them so carefully as 10 elude observation. The
fact that he received $50 900 for signing one of
the villainous Fisk and Gould Erie bills was
brought to light by one of his friends, named
Harris, who mentioned 1t to the late Collector
Murphy, some time before the latter became
collector. This Harris appears 10 have managed
the negotiation. Murphy stated what Harris
told him, before an investigating commit
tee, and has since been pursued most vindic-
lively by Fenton and the Tribune. 1t has been
proved that the $50, 900 was paid TO this Harris,
and it is an undenia6le fact that the vilanouS
bill was signed. Is is not surprising that the
Fenton republicans of New York city were also
Tammany republicans; nor that such men as
Orange S. Winans were followers Of Fenton into
the democratic party, as well as into Fisk and
Gould operations. What party that must be
which has Fenton and his train Tweed and his
ring, and Tammanyl
1t has been shown, and is not denied by
those Immediately concerned, that Horace
Greeley catered into negotiation With Horato
Seymour and other democrats, last autumn
and then consented to accept democratic
nomination for the presidency. This secret,
with all the particulars Of the negotiation, he
communicated to Mr.. Fenton who agreed to
support the movement II is true, nevertheless,
thNt buSSS hlSut HaNiuS uSCihCu III HIS
way to desert the republican party and join the
democrats, proceeded, as republicans, to make
war on General Grant and the admins
tration, in order 10 draw after them in
their apostacy as many republicans as possible
In the first part of the year 1871, they were sup
porters Of the administration. At that time,
Mr.. Greeley defended Gen. Grant against his
slanderers, and, also, in speech, suggested his
denomination, saying very truly that he would
be better qualified for second term than he
was for the fist. Grant did not change; but
= Greeley underwent most astonishing change
after agreeing to 90 with the democrats, as
stated; and the Tribune has ever since assaulted
Gen. Grant in the most unjust, INSCRIPTIONS,
and scandalous manner
All this concerns Fenton as well as Greeley,
for they have worked together, with the same
motive and in the same spirit 1t appears to
have been one part of their secret scheme to get
control of the republican organization in New
York, and use it in aid of their secret intrigue
with the democrats. In this they failed badly
and they attribute the failure to the superior
management of Collector Murphy. How fercely
they assailed Murphy, and how vehemently
they sought to turn public opinion against him,
most of us remember; but the most seri-
GUS thing proved against him was that
he "interlered in politics." that is to
say, he had contended against and
sdeeated the conspiracy of Fenton and his
ring to get control of the republican orgauiza-
ton. He and those wis acted with him made
it impossible for FentOn and his followers to
control the state convention and its influence
Murphy admitted that he had acted in this way;
and, so far as he contributed to the defeat OF
Feuton's foul game, he deserves praise and not
censure. Had the game been successful, Fenton
would have used the advantage; and he might
have extended the apostacY, in appearance at
least, to the republican organization ITSELF Men
who can plan and carry out such an apostacy
as he was engaged in, are capable of any other
dishonesty.
Reuben f. Fenton is well understood and cor
rectly appreciated, by the democrats with whom
he is acting as well as by others. Before he
shall allow himself to borrow from the demo-
Gratis materials for another speech on manage
ment Of the treasury, we hope he will see the
importance of delivering several speeches on
his own character and record We don't think
he can do the subject justice, but let him try.
The examination on Thursday of the disgrace
ful charge brought against policemen, dis
closed a condition of the police force which is
Illuminating, not to say alarming, 10 our citizens
That two Of its members could be capable of such
shameless indecancy as their own testimony re-
Veals is bad enough, but the lack of discipline
which gave them the opportunity, in open yio-
latiOn of a recently established and most
necessary rule, is quite as bad or worse. The
three persons directly involved in this disgrace
have been suspended, we are glad to learn, and
we suppose there is no doubt, as there GER
tany ought to be none, that they will be dis
missed from the force. TO put them on duty
again would be an intolerable insult 10 the city.
Other facts which have come to our knowledge
force upon US the conviction that reform should
not stop there While we have no doubt that the
policemen are in general faithful and good officers
yet we are equally sure that the reputation and
usefulness OF the force has been greyously inn.
paired by the want Of efficient and systematic
discipline. The Fatrolmen have not always
been encouraged, much less required to do
their whole duty. aud instances Of neglect or
transgression of rules have been overlooked AZ
Of no consequence. We trust that his honor
the mayor, will give his earnest attention to
this matter and he cannot do it too soon, for we
are sure that, as at present organized, the police
department does Rot have, and we fear it does
not deserve, the confidence Of the public.
The Springfield Republican calls Mr. Dawes
10 account for saying in his New Haven speech
that rammany sent its thieves to the legislature
and that il supports Greeley. "He knows, or
ought TO know" il says, "that the impression
such language as this conveys to the mind of
any uninioHned auditor is wholly false aud
unjust. The lammany which scnl lhieve .
the legislature had William "A. yecd for
Grand Sachem,' with" Connolly, sweeny, Gar.
vim, Oakley Hail. and their like among is sa-
ehems. "Ihe 1ammany whicl. supports Mr.
Greeley has Augustus Shell for Grand IA.
chem" with Charles o'Conuor, Tildeu. Sew.
mour, Church and ethers as sachenrs. The Re-.
publican adds
"rhese are the men who led the late reform
movement in New York city politics and CAV,
II honor and success Those are the men WHOM
they reformed out These Mr.. Greeley ina,
well be priud 10 have his friends and support
Those worn baf latalx tha fr;a.d.' =.