Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1874-07-15
DESERTING DUTY.

Garfield and his associates reported
every ono Of the extra allowances,
which have grown into such large pro-
portions under Grant and were never
enjoyed ny any former President.
When the salary was raised from
va, 600 to eb0, 900, certainly in defiance
OF the spirit If not the letter Of the Con-
stitution, assurance was given in the
House OF Representatives that the
items which had provoked so much de
served censuc would be cut of in the
iuture. That promise was only made
to be broken. Every one Of them has
been retained ut excessive amounts
granted by the Infamous Legislation Of
the last Congress.
Although Gen. Grant receives twice
the pay, and four times tho special
benefits from the Office as were allowed
to his predecessors, he does not perform
half the service that the most neglect
idl Of them rendered. No comparison
is now made in regard to ability. Our
reference is confined to the ordinary
care and attention OF which common
mind like that Of Grant il capable.
Year after year he has defcd public
opinion, compromised the dignity Of
his trust and outraged decency by
abandoning the capitol and establish
ing regular residence ut Long Branch
among congenial associations, without
the least regard to the duties he has
sworn to discharge, or one thought of
the suffering public interests which are
delayed and damaged by wilful neglect.
His departure is the signal for a
general official exodus from Washing
ton, beginning with members Of the
Cabinet, and including Comptrollcrs,
Auditors, Registers, chief clerks, and
others charged with carrying on and
supervising the great business Of the
country In point Of fact, while these
officers are paid large annual salaries,
they only give about eight months out
Of the twelve TO their duties. The
President actually gives much less
Thousands of people all over the
Union who have rights to protect
and interests to pursue at Washington
do not go there during the summer
months, because there is no responsible
authority present to decide the vast
multitude and variety OF questions
which are constantly pressing and in
creasing. They are consequently post
poned, and often at serious loss. Ex-
cept for mere routine, the departments
might as well be closed from June to
October. They are entrusted to sub
ordinates mainly, who find that oppor-
tunity favorable to promote collusion
with venal agents for bad claims and
other forms Of jobbery, by which the
Treasury has been plundered OF mil
lions of dollars since the advent OF
Grantism.
This monstrous abuse, like others
equally grave, came in with Gen. Grant
No other President ever venturcd or
was disposed to desert his office for
personal pleasure, 70 junket around the
country like strolling player, and TO
trample under foot all the obligations
Of duty to crafty coarse and selfish
"o'h''. '"''."" y, '~''b " N"'.
decent example oil respect 70 law, ne
has by his personal conduct violated
every rule and principle Of the civil
service, ana encouraged Others 10 r1d-
icule 1t until reform is treated rs
mockery -,
me ries'uen. Is cnieny respohs'oic
'or 'ne usmoraliIsuon wh,cn Is seen
ahu ie'' all tnrougn tne Puphc service
Laws are not needed 70 cneck such
ABUSES as nave spread 20 a'nrmlngiy
witnlh ,ne Pas. nVe years iney are
unuer tne apsoiu'e contro' oi tne hx-
eeu've, ., anu w,'hou' ms u,rec' sane.
''on anu eneour"gr,nen' =, 'ney coulu no,
suivive 1sy. INC seat !" 'ne evii
is IN Ine " ni.e house, ana antll 'ha'
= pur'neu 'neTe wiz pe anu 'nere can
pc , no shange ,or .he oeter
" me 'ns uarnc'as anu o,ner 'raa-
en- IN isels'a'ion VINO Pow pe'ore 'ne
'oo,stov' u power anu purn ,ncehse
unaer . 'ne hos'r'Is ol 'ne Irss'uen', ao
VIVA, wna. nc nay, aIc PvIl''.eI 70 MAKE
.heaPpioPris.'ons o' 'nePeop,e s'noney
anu 70 ,cgu,h.e 'nv ne, eAPenu''ures, ,n's
ploulg" system .in. VIII eon.'nae n'. anu s sne
e, le.uri' u - noloS' serrl,'l''n' T. W lnoen'
.a;', nie,y S pos'poneu l"a, 2 aney S,. sno ~ ~,
'a,neu ea.'...9s. aa'u oo.,aP. as.n's - % nnss anu
corpolauon', ..;' sna NOV % ~ any sens rep.
iesen'a.''eS ;.. VI 'no Poop'o or 'ne'r 'ru'
',r,es,s ny a.. ,..., a.. .,.,
ihe hrrt rtcP 'hoh to"nfu fcni IT,
form is to purge the House of Repre-
sentatives ey dismisslng every man