The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1874-10-29

Marlborough. He was slow to punish
the embezzlemekts of Torrington, and
be never did punish the manifold rascal
tiles of Oxford. During the struggle
ard excitement which attended the re-
belllon some bad men found their way
into public employments. Mr.. Lincoln's
administration was too much occupied
with graver matters to keep strict watch
of every individual offender. The ad
ministratlon which succeeded was quite
as unprepared for that duty. Congress
was then much absorbed in the great
work of reconstruction, and the Presl-
dent was not happily fitted to criticise
official misc onduct. But tie present
Administration has no exemption from
that work. If it is not attended to now,
the Administration, and not the times,
must be held responsible. But it is at
tended to. 1t is prosecuted with that
iDfexible energy which has character
lied every labor led by President Grant.
Some offenses have been exposed. And
every time a rougue has been punished
the opposition has shouted: "See how
corrupt Republicans are!" Il is as if,
whenever surgeon removes tumor
from his patient the mob should shout
'TIow very rotten she doctor must be !!
So, this unfinching reform is pros ecuted
, at the risk IF this twofold peril: First.
Every time we remove rascal we lend
, plausibility to Democratic calumuy
Second. Every time we punish one we
make Democrat For few years that
party has been recruited, not only by
, those knaves we have dismissed from
, office, but by still larger number who
have been unable to get office. 1t is not
impossible that by this process they may
in tine recover a majority. Good men
cannot, without u easiness, contemc
plate the possibility of the country ones
more falling into the control of tha'
. party, when, in addition to the devils
, which always paralyzed it for any noble
effort, it shall have been REINFORCED BY
e all the upcDean spirits expelled from the
Republican party.
INTERNAL REFORM.
, The success which has attended the eff
fort of this Administration 10 effect inter
, nal reform is forcibly indicated, but only
partially measured, by these facts
First. In thirteen years it has not once
been forced to resort to loans except by
the existence of war. Our rivals in pop
, ular favor, as has been seen, repeated y
resorted to loans in time Of peace.
Second. In six years taxes has been re-
mltted at various times amounting to more
than three hundred millions annually.
Third. The principal of the public
debt has been reduced in the same time
by the sum of three hundred and fifty five
million dollars.
Fourth. The Treasury note has been
appreciated from 76 2-10 per cent, its
gold value in March, 1860, to SO 2-1O per
cent, its gold value IN March last.
Fifth. In spite of the financial disasters
which overlook the country n September,
1873, the public debt was diminished
nearly five millions during the fiscal year
just ended.
Sixth. The cost of the Government, ex-
Guiding expenditures for improvements
aud disbursements made necessary to
meet obligations imposed on us by the
rebellion, was less per capita during the
last fiscal year than during the year end
ing June 80, 1860.
Bad men, doubtless, are still left in the
Republican party, as bad men are in the
Democratic party. So good men are in
both parties. The difference is this: In
spite of the bad men in the former, it has
in thirteen years raised tie country high
er in true national greatness than any
country was ever raised before in the
same length Of time; while, because Of
bad men in the other party, the country
constantly decliEed in character and dig
city while it had control. A party better
than either, loftier in its aspirations, wis
or in its methods, holder in its en- deavors,
i unquestionably desirable. Such a. party
might be attained, ii the wise, the upright,
AID the patriotic in the Democratic ranks
would unite themselves with the like In