The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-06-05
polltIoal Notes.

JUD0E PIEaakPoNT BEGiNS HOUSE,
CLEANING. The now Attoruey-G encral
goes 10 work with win lie has made
several exeelIenl orders during his short
term Of Office, aud slashed away at the
numerous abuses Of The Department Of
Justice with zeal and resolution which
must make the hangers-on Of the estab-
lishmcut open their eyes with amazcment.
lie is now paying attention 10 the expen-
iitures Of Marshals and other officials Of
the Federal courts, which in some districts
be finds to have been ''extravagant, with
out necessity aud without honesty, ~
That discovery win startle nobody, unless
il is Judge PiaSrepont himself, and we
think he must have been pretty well pre-
pared for IT, Investigating committees Of
Congress have shown us how the Marshals
spent moneyin Alabama aud Louisiana
on the eve Of the last election, aud the
scandalous frauds in Arkansas are sill
fresh in remembrance. Judge Pierrepont
will do the country good service and win
an enviable reputation for himself It he
can put stop to this robbery and waste.
But Of course he is shrewd enough to
understand that he can accomplish no
permanent publication Of his Department
until he removes the one great abuse which
is constantly befouling it. The Attorney
Generals office has become source Of
corruption because il has been made bu-
reau Of political activity instead Of ten
pie of justice. Its chief has been not so
much the principal law officer Of the Gov
ernment as the personal attorney Of u set
Of ol6ee-holders; and II is not rhetorical
exaggeration bat plain statement of fact
to say that his principal business during
many memorable months Of the last few
years has been to devise tricks and distor-
tons ofthe law to deprive the people Of GER
tain States Of the right of electing their ru-
lers II was the Attorney-General who
directed the Kellogg usurpation at New
Orleans. Hissubordinates, armed with black
warrants, we're afterward sent through the
interior parishes Of Louisiana to reduce
the Conservative vote The army was
placed at their disposal; aud General
Morrow and other dispassionate Republi.
cans have told us how they misused their
power In other States political cam
paigns have been carried on In the same
way. II Judge Piernpont wishes to know
how the exrayagant and dishonest expen-
ditures of his department were incurred,
let him inquire into the cases of white
citizens Of Shreveport who wore arrested
and taken to New Orleans merely in order
to prevent them from voting, or the whole
sale arrests in Hays's district Of Alabama,
the prisoners being transported at great
expense the whole length of the State, and
then discharged as soon as the canvass was
over; or the numerous other instances Of
fraudulent and oppressive arrests for
purely constructive oiFenses, by which the
emissaries Of the Attorney. Generals Office
tried to carry doubtful Southern States for
Grant last Autumn. How can you expect
honesty and economy ia a department
which i run for such purposes aud by such
methods 2
Now, however, that General Grant has
relieved his friends from the necessity of
working for his reelection. il ought IN be
EASY for the Attorney. General the Marsh.
ais, the Deputy Marshals and all the other
attaches of the Department Of Justice 10
mind their proper business and allow the
people of the South 10 vote AZ thew nleaso.
and if Judge Pierrcpopt will hint 10 his
subordipates that they are not 10 consider
themselves apy longer As a seere, nol;,ic,l
police, he will find the work of reform
immensely facilitated. N T. Tribune.
II is yery funny to sec the at,emn,,
which the Administration journals mako
10 twist the Presidents third term letter
into a fiat denial Of desiro for 4 renom;.
nation The PHiladeIpL,a Pr,ss eoes into
nnptures over Gen Grants ,lcvot;en 70 ,ho
"unwritten law of Tho Renubl;c wban
the most superficial nerusal az he lo,,ar
shows that bo devo,es mas, oc ia &c. %
proving that the ''unwritten law Is Of no
account. Then the Press is unhappy be.
cause some of its contemporaries end the
letter ambiguous. "The entire Republic
can press Of the North, 1t says, "unites
IN giving expression to the voice Of tht
purity, uecldff0g It's fealtv 10 the unKTlttan