New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-10
THE CANAL Frauds.

tons of a law. The ethical influence
which operates upon civilized man is also
subject to positive rules, provided the
intellectual power Of man could grasp the
inscrutable intent of Deity. 1t is known
that deeds of crime or of charity are peri
odically reproduced on given population
with singular regularity. Even casualties
recur under an apparent law. Wars, muir
ders, casualties to life or limb, contribu'
tons to foreign missions or to domestic
philanthropy. result in about the same
sums annually. The principle of devo-
ton impels population to bestow about
as much for the diffusion Of the gospel
one year as another, SO that those charged
with the administration of funds which
are of voluntary contribution can make
their estimates of receipt and expenditure
with about as much accuracy as those
who rely upon the force of law to compel
the payment Of taxes.
In this ethical meteorology, which may
one day be elevated to positive science,
we find tidal wave of official dishonesty
overspreading the country. 1t is but a
few years since that political employees Of
all countries availed themselves of posi-
ton to rob the public. There is reflex
| in this tide, and there comes a surge Of
common honesty which is likely to wash
the political water rats out of their holes,
and, we may hope, the erection of barriers
which will arrest the recurrence of this tidal
dishonesty which threatened to engulf the
institutions and existence Of the republic.
New York was the chief Of offenders
An organized corps planted themselves in
the lobby of the State and city govern
ments. They imposed what charges they
chose upon the cost of political admins
tration. Debt accumulated by tens Of
millions and the political burglars grew
rich beyond the dreams of honest indus
try. The example of New York spread
West and South. Every act of dishon-
esty-every device of fraud was repro
ducd in smaller or more shameless
manner in all the States. Pennsylvania
had her ring, which bled the people with
out mercy. Illinois suffered from the
same cause. The rapacious gains OF the
Southern lob bies created frantic appe-
tite for spoils, which have resulted
in bloodshed and intolerance. This
INSCRIPTIONS rapacity is born of no party,
but has been practiced by all. The peo-
pie who pay all have determined to arrest
these frauds, and as their preparation be-
gan in New York, so there has commenced
their reform. The canal ring in New
York has existed under all administra-
tons. 1t commits palpable fraud in OBJ
tanning public contracts at one rate while |
it executes them at another and far more |
profitable rate. Governor Tilden, who |
would have been regarded as an old twad- |
dler in the flush times of the ring, is now |
a leader, followed by the hurrahs and
hosannahs OF the people.
The merchants of New York rally to |
his honest determination to eXterminate
the miscreants who, to enrich themselves,
impose burdens on the people. Speeches
made and applauded in public assem-
blages show how these fraudulent con-
tractors have made the transportation
between New York and the West cost more
than under an honest expenditure they
should have done. They thus demon
strate that competing cities can commu-
nicate with the West on better terms than
New York can.
Commissioners have been appointed to
investigate the canal abuses. The ring is
appalled,, and fear to make direct oppo-
'ition to the engineer. They have pre-
pared for escape by putting their fraudu.
ent gains into securities convertible into
ASH The Legislature is providing for
folding dishonest officials to response
,ility, SO that Tweed, who was so bold as
o put his robberies into real estate, may
'e subjected to restitution of some part of
hat which he had stolen from the public.
1t is instructive to observe how zeal
usly the partisans of Tweed have be-
ONE in the prosecution of other dis
onest officials. They claim that Gov
rnor Tilden, who but took up the war
ry of the New York Times against the
ity ring, has come to punish the wrong
oers, and exhort him to cry aloud aud
pare not The politicians Of both par I
es, seeing the American people deter
lined not to be robbed in the shameless o
tanner which has been practiced by all =
arties, and by combination of all par
es, join in the acclaim, and Tilden is G
by all.
We may expect this wave of virtuous .
ldignation to develop itself in every :,
rection, and will take care to keep we'll o
breast of it. We shall pursue the judi :,
Gus and patriotic course Of the Repub- =
,an party and press, which advocate the >,
lnishment of all wrong doors, without o
gard to the party to which such offend +
S may belong. Democracy, having n
rown Tweed & Co. over board, are :,
w in pursuit of the canal ring, some of r
hose most prominent members are prom a
ent Democratic politicians. They do 4
It dare defend these offenders so De- ',
ocracy turns them to good account by a.
livefing them over to justice, if justice
n catch them.
If this reformation is to be an issue in y