The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-01-30

There is standing committee in the
House Of Representatives on the expcndi-
lures of every one of the public depart
ments except that Of Justice. This omiS-
sion was made because when the rule was
adopted the expenses ofthc Federal courts
in the States aid Territories We're limited
and confined TO a few specific objects,
which brought them directly within the
view of the Committee of Appropriations.
All that has now changed. aud the cost
of the judiciary under the manipulatiOns
of Williams has swollen 10 nearly four
millions of dollars year. The recent ras-
calities in Arkansas show how this fund
has been prostituted TO reward an organ
lied gang of thieves composed OF the Uni-
ted States Marshal and other friends OF
the Administration. In North Carolina
the United States Marshal was allowed to
draw quarter OF million dollars 10 car
ry that State for Grant in ls12. under the
pretext of suppre~sing imaginary hu-hluN-
when the expenses had never before eX-
ceeded ten thousand.
This corrupt system was vigorously ap-
piled 10 the contingent fund ofthat depart
ment for the benefit Of Nilliam>'s house
hold. The vouchers for the purchase of a
carriage and horses. for furniture. and for
servants in his family have been published
4 VI
10 the facts. and this was one Of many rea-
sons why partisan Senate. more than
disposed to obey the orders of the Presi-
dent, was afraid to confront the popular
indignation by approving him.
Ii was as Acknowledgement that Will
liams missppropriated the public money
to his own personal use. The charge and
the proof sufiioed To prevent his coniirma-
ton as Chief-Justice and they stand TO
brand him with infamy in the high office
which he now is suffered 10 disgrace by
the Presidents favor and support.
Ii is natural Ia ask. in view of such as
founding developments. whether the Re
publicans of the House of Representatives.
with round majority Of one hundred. in
tend TO condone these crimes by their
silence. They are pretending Ia make re-
ductibns and are quick 10 prate about
economy. But here i palpabe corrup-
ton before there eyes. tie peoples money
stolen TO buy carriages. horses. and ilrni-
ture. and To hire servants. and not Que of
these self-styled reiormers proposes an in
veStigafiOp.
There i a standing Committee on Pub
lie Expenditures. and another on Reform
In the Civil Service. appropriately headed
by the back-pay grabbcr from Connecticut.
Mr.. Kellogg. either Of which could fifty
deal with this matter without an. orVler
from the House. But there is no such dis
position. ON the contrary. the desire j. To
whitewash Williams and To acquit him by
non-action.
The Republican majority cannot escape
the responsibility which a refusal 10 meet
this question Involves. The Attorney
General has been arrligned by the press Of
all parties upon proofs taken from the files
of the Treasury. He is guilty or he Is in
nocent. If the charges are untrue then he
first of all j. Interested in exposing the in
Justice. Ii they are true then he Is I'M
worthy to lit in the Cabinet and decide the
gravest questions.
An investigation therefore j. demanded
In any view of the case. Aud If the Repub-
licanS will not do their duty honestly. some
Democrat Of standing and weight ought to
put them To the test by a resolution CALI
ing for a special committee. with power TO
send for persons and papers and scope
enough to cover every charge made against
this venal oflicer.-N J.. San.