The sun., 1873-07-04
The Washington Police.

Commissioners at Washington, headed by
4 notorious lobbyist who appropriately
runs one of the Administration organs
there. The people of the United states are
taxed two hundred and seven thousand
ave hundred and thirty dollars every year
Tor police nj the caIitll, under the false
pretence OF guarding the public property.
when we have shown by citations from the
laws that another large and co,tlg police
force and wntchmen are maintained in aud
about all the public buildings, grounds.
and reservations. 70 keep up both is a
bald imposition. and only consistent with
the system of fraud, peculation, and pxtor-
tion which has fastened upon every part
of the public service.
The original reason which influenced
Congress to bear two-thirds of the charge
for policing Washington has long since
ceased to exist. hut the appropriation for
II, like other abuses, has continued merely
because there was once II law authorizing
this provisio. That is the weapon with
which all reforIn l. combated by the re-
tanned advocates uf extravaganza who are
intrusted with this branch of legislation.
Let Mr. HOLMAN or some other genuine
economist rise in The House to propose
reduction in any particular item reported
from the Committee on Appropriations.
and lie Will he ut once met 10y the tart an
swer of Nj. GARFIELD that il is In accord
ance with law which may be an abuse
iifty years old.
The appropriation bills which annually
vote away about three hundred millions
OF dollars, and arr always loaded down
with some iniquity like the back-pay grab.
rarely command more than Il quorum.
unless there bc some amendment of Spe-
cial interest to attract attendance. They
go through almost rsu matter OF course,
upon the presumption that the committee
have strictly scrutinzed the items. A
practice has grown up which gives the
report of any important committee an
authority to which il IS not fairly entitled.
An honest and determined member bent
on Tetrcuchment has therefore little
chance ia contending against corrupt
chairman, because the majority shelter
their collu,ion behind an excuse of " fol-
lowing the committee
Hence il Is that pluaderers, lobbyists,
and sChemerS of every kind direct their
main efforts upon the committees. and
that Mr. GARFIELD and Mr.. DAWES cspc-
cially, who head the Appropriations and
Way and Means. are 80 much courted and
exercise so much power through their
positions. They may be said 10 shape all
the legislation relating ~ tariff changes,
internal revenue, and the vast supplies for
carrying on the Government. BY concert
ing with Mr.. SHERMAN anG a few others IN
the senate they can affect great interests
materially without any positive demon
stratlon. Mr.. SCHENcK ia his day prohted
immensely by these facilities, and the
proofs of il exist in Washington To. day in
large landed property there, which only
partially represents ais gains from the
change in the tax on vhiskcy. His ex-
ample was not needed 10 stimulate others,
who long knew the opportunities and had
enjoyed them perhaps in a less lemunera-
live degree.
II was by the influence of his Chairman
chip that Nh GARFIELD put through the
enormous grants TO the Washington Ring
lest session, by which three and half
millions were voted to an organized gang
of thieves, worsa even than the Taminany
chiefs in their Gay Of despoti, rule. lie
not only did thIG but he protected these
robbers against any possible scrstiny. H.
asmu.h as Gen. BA3CoCK who has charge
of the public buildings and grouslds, was
known 90 be a partner of Boss SHEP-
HERD il various joLl and member of
the Ring, condition was proposed in
COMMITTEES 10 the ppIGpriatiOns, that the
measurement Of all the alleged improve
ments oR public property should be
strictly mad under the direction of the
Chief OF the Engineer Corps. That would
have exposed The rascalitS, frauds, and
false measurement of the Board OF Public
Works; SO the resolution wac s;ined on the
plea that II reies ted on the ietegrity OF
BABcoCK, and GARFIELD brought IN sub
stitute conhding the expenditure to his
discretion.
These illustrations Lerve 10 show how
the police fraud has been pcrpetuated at
cost OF nearly quarter OF a million per
annum to the country, ana without any
return or benefit whatever. This police Is
not only worthless, but it Ia frequently
made the instrument of oppression, out
rage, and injury to the public. A dngrant
case was recently exposed in our columns.
Just before the adjournment of Congress
MI CoLFAX, then Nice-Presdent, and
undergoing "a serious investigation before
the Credit Mohilier committee, was robbed
at NoHMLEYs Hotel. His room was en-
tered by thief who had established him
self IN the house for that purpose, his
trunk was opened and n box containing
various forms of bonds and stocks was
carried of. This box had been removed
10 Washington from another place of de-
post in order to have il under the per-
tonal eye of Mr.. CoLFAx during the inves-
ugs'ion, ana 1t contained values TO the
amount of one hundred thousand dollars,
more or less.
IL was OF the first importance to CoLFAx
10 conceal the extent Of this robbery from