The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-10-26
FROM THE CAPITAL.
The InteriOr Department-Mr. Dell
ano-RIr. ChandIer-Spitefal Crit-
icism-Public Extraxagance.
Pnrvoo aopon NJ thu ltor


WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.
1t was important for Mr.. Delano that
he entered a cabinet office with some-
thing more than questionable reputa-
tion for integrity. He"had been inter-
mixed in several transactions OF a
suspicious character, which seemed to
leave only the alternative between two
presumptions: either that he was very
Incompetent or very dishonest. How
far the results of the Investigations into
his management of the Indian Bureau
have served to exonerate him from
charges OF willful maladministration in
that branch of the service, is point up.
on which there is abundant room for diff
ferences of opinion-the questions, how
far the testimony given is consistent
with the truth, and how much remains
unais closed, being altogether inseruta.
Bile. My own opinion Island it is forti.
fed by the opinion of persons who have
been fayorably situated locally for the
obtaining of finformation-that if he has
made any large acquisitions by means
of his Official facilities, it has been
through the Land Office branch OF his
department. That point will, without
doubt, form subject Of inquiry at the
next session OF Congress. The appoint
ment of the 80
HON. ZACHARIAH CHANDLER
as the successor of Mr.. Delano has al
ready been pronounced upon by the
press: unfavorably, of course, by the op-
position, and with no particular cor
diality by journals which support the ad-
ministration. Mr.. Chandler is man of
more than average ability; and in re-
spect to personal honesty, his character
has not been impeached. Long service
in the Senate has, without doubt, made
him familiar with the subjects that will
come under his supervision as Secretary
of the Interior. How far the personal
habits of Mr.. Chandler-ot which much
has been said bv such as had nothing
else to offer against him-wiu affect his
lor the future. AS a cabinet office has
no political outcome-is not in any line
of promotions: as it usually, when it
closes, ends the public career of the in
cumbent, and as MIR. Chandler is too
wealthy to admit OF The supposition that
he takes the place for purposes of pri-
yate gain, the presumption is that he In
lends to discharge its duties faithfully
To the benefit of such presumption until
the contrary appears, he would seem TO
be entitled.
sPITEFUL CRITICISM.
To arrive at the basis of Just criti-
cism of the acts OF public men and bod
les is 10 depart as far as possible from
the principles of false criticism. The
true line of conduct for public journal
towards an administration would seem
10 be to give 1t credit, until the contrary
is shown, lor honesty Of purpose, to hold
Judgment in suspense iii all cases of
doubt or of imperfect information, to be
lenient, where there is no ground for the
suspicion of impure motives, toward it's
errors, and to condemn ana expose it's
otfcnses. The New York Sun, which.
but for its temper, would be a model
newspaper, is, i'll this respect, the ex-
IRENE example of that carping spirit
which defeats its own purposes and can
GELS its influence by the perpetual adver.
Using OF It's own malignity. There is nc
mode by which a mainland the same
is true of public journal can
more efectually annul the effects
Of his own opinions or testimony than by
manifesting, in its delivery, that he is
actualed by spirit Of maleYolence and
desire to infiict injury. With the
strangest peryersity, the conductor o.
the Sun seems anxious TO have the pub
| lie understand that he is very full o.
spite against the administration piece
| OF knowledge which is as inimical as pos
sibe to.his force as its antagonist. II al
| administration were intentionally baC
and consciously corrupt, such criticism
4 would add to its safety; as it would pro
mote practical suspension of judgmen
in cases where a truthful and temperate
exposure would have carried con- yictioi
/ and insured condemnation.
i TIE COST OF GOVERNMENT.
l observe in the STAR an editoria
/ commencing, s'Fhe people demand gen
eral retrenchment in the expense OF run
4 ming the government" whica is fol
\ lowed up with the statement that, sit il
Il claimed by those who have opportuni
ties OF knowing that at least $l5O, 600, 90
year can be saved on the present an
nual eXpenSes, and the people be quit,
as we'll served as they are now" 1t i
very probable that quite handson
saving might be made on the presen
, cost OF running the Government OF tn
l United States Without disadvantage L
; the people ;but there are in this connec
tion several things to be considered, u
: for example:
, Within the last ten or Twelve years th
province oil the Federal Government la
been expanded in almost every pract
r cable direction. This has been done, 1
| most cases, in apparent response to
, popular demand. The people of th
United States have been allowing elias
of optimists to think for them who's
. dominant idea is that government
r in order to properly perform its mlssio
in the expedlting of human progress
should, at once, undertake to do wha
ever, in their opinion, needs to be dont
They have created that which passes fo
: sentiment: and, as wherever there Is Il
party motive to the contrary, the ave
r age newspaperist rejoices in an oppo
/, tunity to testify to his own enlightene
liberality by helping on every popula
Utopiauism, the press of the countr
: has added its weight to. the urgenc.
, which they have originated. Party go'
, ernments need only this species OF el
couragement to expand indehnitel,
e There is no demand with which the
comply with more alacrity than the d
mand for more of themselves. Ever
q new piece oil administrative machineI
!, | is another outwork to their defenses.
The Messianic idea is a.primordial Il
Y tuition Of humanity. Everybody has b