The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-08-22
Something to be stopped.

In the name of q much-plundered peO-
pie, let this proposed assumption Of South
ern State debts by the United States b
rejected at once. We see It stated In dts-
patches that the scheme will be serlouslJ
passed; that some conspicuous Republl-
cans (such as Butler) are "in IT," and thai
the united support OF all the Southern
members, with many Northern, Is expect
ed for 1t. II any set OF men want to Cury
themselves and their party under load
of public indignation from which not one
Of them can ever escape, let them try thll
business as the shortest and surest road
Here are debts amounting to nobody
knows how many millions-ior the State
authorities themselves cannot, in all cases
tell how large the outstanding liabilities
are. II Il certain that the aggregate, even
with the most scrupulous honesty in ad-
justment, would be very large, and would
add materially TO the heavy burden which
we now have TO bear. But that Is a small
part OF the business, The opportunity
for fraud Is absolutely unlimited. Claims
which no State officials would dare 10
recognize, If they had 10 answer 10 theiI
own people for the consequent increase oI
taxes, will be very readily certified as
valid when the burden is to fall upon the
whole people. Every rascal at the South
and and every rascal in Congress will be
in league at once. Credit Mobilier rings
will grow up in connection with each and
every set Of bonds issued by every State,
its railroads, If they are mixed up with its
State finances, and the various forms OF
floating Indebtedness and claims. Rob
berry will hold high carnival whenever
this thing Is done.
We are not the least surprised TO learn
that Ben. Butler Is In the thing. Ifthere
is chance for then on gigantic scale,
who would expect Brazen Ben to DO out?
He will champion this as he did the sal
airy steal, and knows only too well how TO
appeal 10 the meaner natures OF the
meanest men in Congress. Southern
members can be made to think it q very
promising chance 10 endear themselves to
their constituents. Northern members
who have not yet got rich will have any
quantity oil State bonds "placed where
they will do the most good" SCripS car
ried of by Bullock, debts piled up by
Warmoth, claims repudiated by the new
" adopted constitution OF North CARROLL
ma, and even the old repudisted debt Of
Mississippi, with It's 100000 Of back
interest, will all DO made useful when this
hunt for rotten Congressman begins. We
sincerely hope It may not begin at all. II
the Republican press throughout the
country speaks promptly 'Shd plainly, II
may be that even Butler and the hungry
crew who look to him will think it better
TO wait. But II not, there is only too
much reason 10 fear that the scheme may
be brought before Congress and seriously
pressed.
The very proposal would do irreparable
injury 10 tho party In power, Sustained
by any prominent member. But It's RdOp.
ton, no matter In what form or with
what safeguards, would at once lead PEG.
pic 10 believe that the most shameless
frauds would follow. The opportunity Is
too great; the character Of some Of the
State officials who would have power To
certify the debt is altogether too well
known. Nothing could make the people
believe that the transaction was honestly
conducted, or even honestly undertaken,
II there are members Of Congress who
have got out of the Republican party all
they can hope to get, and now are willing
to ruin II altogether II the can only enrich
themselves, such a gigantic job as this
may Tor them have attractions. Butno
man who wishes to see the Republican
party preserved can be willing 10 see
such fatal load placed upon it.