The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-02-25
THE WEST VIRGINIA LEGiSLA-
TIVE INYEsTIGATION.

AdYlCeS from Charleston state tEat Ine
report of the committee specially appoint
ed to investigate certain charges OF al
legged malfcasance in office, on the part Of
JOHN :. BURDETT, Treasurer, and ED
WARD A. BENNET Auditor of the State,
have concluded their report. 1t Is SAID
to state that these gentlemen have been
guilty of "high crimes and misdemean-
ors." and should be impcachcd and re-
moved from office, in that they have re-
ceived monies in the nature of bride, to
allow State deposits to remain IN certain
banking institutions unchecked upon, for
several months. Now this has decided
" bad odor about it. and it is II great pity
that the evil example which has been so
generally set throughout the Union, and
bv persons holding high and influential
positions. should have SO thoroughly
permeated the land, as to have made
itself felt here in our comparatively
new State. Still if these gentlemen have
been really guilty Of following so bad
precedent, il should be at once noticed
bv our Democratic Legislature and such
action taken rs the case demands. still,
u, something IN their behalf, and for the
consolation of the tax payers, we can
say that the amounts said to have been
received by them were very small, only
being $500 by Mr.. BuRDErT, and s2oo
by Mr.. BENNETT and that this was Il
private transaction between them and
the banks, not II dollar of the State mon
cv having been miSupplied, nor cent
drawn out of the pockets of those who
bear the burdens. Besides this, too, the
money WAS deposited according to law,
in legally designated State repositories.
The greatest sum alleged to have been
received at all, was by son OF the
Treasurer. and Clerk in his office, which
was 81. 500 from Mr.. n. b. CABELL,
cashier of a Charleston Bank, and 500
from another institution. This, like the
others. was transaction in which the
people of the State are not in the slight
est degree vicLimized.
The worst effect likely to be produced,
bv this whole matter, will be the hold 1t
will give the enemies Of the party to
blaspheme. They will seize upon this
theme with avidity, and many will be the
sermon they will preach concerning the
unworthiness of party containing III us
ranks those guilty Of such terrible often
ccs. and they will do this, forg"tiul OF
the fact that their party, from lis Ihlei
Executive down through Congress to Its
smallest rank of officials, mas been piling
up a terrible record of misconduct, Of
like nature, the least Of which complete
" overshadows and eclipses these herein
mentioned. In fact the smallneSs
of the amounts involved is, in their
eyes, probably the most hcnous portion
of the offence.
But this prop can be knocked from un-
der them by decisive and vigorous action
being taken by the Democracy of West
Virginia. The example followed is bad
one. and should now at once be stamped
with positive disapprobation; and then,
As SAMUEL j. TILDEN was elevated to
the Governors chair of Democratic New
York, because of his course towards
breaking down the corrupt Democratic
ring of WILLIAM NJ. TWEED, SO the
Democracy of West Virginia, byJwSt ac-
ton in this matter, can gain fresh laurels,
and establish itself still more firmly in
the confidence of the people of all the
States