Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-28
An AUGEAN STABLE.
TIic EnOrIn Gus Evil of Official Pee ulR-
TIon-LuNuries at Public Expense.

From the Cincinnati Commercial,
WASHINGTON. Dee. 25.-The revela-
tions that have been made in the last
month with regard to the shameful
manner in which private luXuries have
been provided for by Government Of
ficials at public expense, have excited
great surprise and Indignation among
all classes. Members Of Congress who
have heretofore been most loyal 20 the
Administration and all the parts there
of. express themselves with great We
hemence on this point, and declare
their purpose to have the whole matter
thoroughly sifted. Behind the facts
which have been elected with regard to
the unlawful use made Of public funds
in supplying carriages, horses and SER
wants for officials OF sll grades, from
Cabi let ministers down to cheap and
arrogant clerks, are turning up other
facts. which it is proposed at an early
day to bring to light which will show
that these are not the only luxuIies
paid for by the public for private bene-
fit. Ii surface indications are to be re-
lied on it can be proven that by the re-
ceipt Of unlawful Perluisites official
salaries have been fairly doubled in a
great many eases. Customs, which
have the warrant Of years to sustain
them, but which have in all those years
grown and increased, now amount to a
most scandalous abuse.
With public officials in Washington
the rules Of fair dealing, which are ac-
knowledged in private life. do not seem
to obtain, and when public property
can be appropriated to private use with
ont mourning danger Of prosecution for
a criminal offense, it has been and is
50 appropriated, although there can be
no sort Of excuse for the pilfering save
that the tempting opportunity present
I'd itself. This applies to all officers OF
the Government, and the first-class
clerk in the department. or the commit
Tee clerk in the House or Senate enjoys
these perquisites III that proportion to
which his rank and pay entities him.
under a loose code that teaches that
cI1bbing from the Treasury is not only
permissible but advisable.
. Staunch supporters of the Admins
tration who have hitherto been aware
IF these things without, perhaps, full ly
approaching them. are now awakened
to a realization of the condition which
It must reach if the evil is not checked
soon. and the threatened investigation
into these petty pilferings viii certain,
Iy be as thorough and searchingas ever
was made into doubtful transactions
where Congressman have been implica'
ted. The developments Of such an IN
vestigation will 90 far to show how the
deterioration in morals is accomplished
through petty speculations under color
of law, but really and indofenslbly dis
honest IN spirit. There is nod doubt but
that the evil complained Of has greatly
increased nnder the Administration OF
Gen. Grant. for that Administration
has been more than anything else like
the managing of an army in the field
where the fancy and wishes Of the Gen
eral commanding. and his staff officers
is law. But these populations did not
Segin. Of them, with the present Ad
ministration. They viii, doubtless, be
shown to 90 back a great many years