The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-05-07
rhe PrnclIcaI. Nov of ID.

.s tum tho WcllsburK Heraldl
We have been anxiously looking over
our West Virginia exchanges for some
mention oil o West Virginia Congress.
man, Senator, Legislator, Public Printer
Ur somebody else that has stolen public
money or been compelled TO receive 1t
when stolen by others, relunding the same
or otherwise so placing 1t that It will
DO the most good; but they are all elo'
quenlly silent. Now why Is this thusly !
Are our own BorCnau and MGrew and
Hereford and John J. Davis, who voted
virluously against the iniguity,w worse real;
ly than Senator H. G. Davis, who voted
for It, in that they lacked the sand to vote
openly what was in their hearts all the
time, a conscious crime; or do they BY
some casuistry Of covetousness, persuade
themselves that people can ever be made
10 believe that the receiver Of stolen ROoCs
ia Apy better than the thiei; or do such
men count largely on the public sentiment
IN regard 10 such matters, known to be
largely debauched; or do they make mer'
chSndise Of their honor and squarely bal
ancc 5000 back pay and perquisitUs, IN
hsud, against all future chances for poIit-
zeal profits. 1t is probable that good
many OF them do tho latter. 1t cannot be
said that as the world goes, they are wise
enough who take that view OF It. 1t Is
un tue old principle that 70 bird IN the
haud is worth two IN the bush" than
which none can be more firmly establish.
rd Then, that political sensibility must
be pretty badly windshaken, If 5000
rGsh in hand, taking politicians Oh the
average, will not put 1t sgain In comfort
abie repair. Wisely placed, indeed, half
,nat sum might disarm outside and ad-
verse criticism 10 very convenient extent
We cannot say which Of, or how many
II, these considerations are moving In the
West Virginia Congressional mind, but
We can soy that, il they hold on 10 that
money, it will very likely prove their last
opportunity to get money as representa-
tives Of the honest folks Of West Virginia.
Il may be that they never intend TO DO
Candidates again, and In that event II is
well enough 10 keep what they have; and
IS this steal seems TO be In no particular
degree, matter Of partisanship, but was
participated In by men Of all parties and
condemned indiGerenily by their con.
situency OF ail parties, they doubtless sec
The fltIiity OF depending in this matter,
upon party support for votes. On theft
Independent private merits, with an ad-
nitled charge Of little different from
downright personal dishonesty, staring
hem in the lace, of course, It Is no better
We speak what We arc pretty certain Il
tue sentiment OF the independent repu6
leans Of the country, and for that matter
We DO not know that Il differs from thai
Ol the like class Of Democrats, when We
say that while wcrGgret TO part company
With those with whom VIC have hereto
.oFv acted, and whom we regarded as
honorable men, yet, until they purgt
themselves Of this aAgrant offence not
oay against official prOpriety but against
private as well as public morals, We will
never vote for, or TO the smallest extent
support Tor any office, any man whost
iec0rd is thus tainted.
10 regard to President Grant himself
although more can DO said for him In tht
maIlet than for any Congressman, yet, be
cause he failed TO veto the biz because Il
he viCiousnGss he knew 1t contained, h
h@ to a serious extent forfeited the sup
port Of tbs nation. 1t Is hardly probable
mat ho will ever again be a candidate 10
resident, but II ever he is, let II be re
membered against him.