The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1875-07-31
NEW ORLEANS CORRESPONDENCE.
New ORLEANS, July 90, 1875.

| the 23rd, OccaSloned. much surprise
in and out of political circles. A care
full examination Of the affairs of his
Office by al impartial committee of
experts revealed no evidence of the
Auditors completely in official cor
ruption-the committee were con-
| tented with Il criticism of his clerical
force, and the system of book keep
ing adopted in both the Trcasurer's
and Auditors office. The recent trials
in the courts, brought by Attorney
General Field in behalf of the State,
failed to elicit any evidence of Grim
inality, attributable to Mr.. Clinton !;
and it is well known, and it is de-
clared in the letter accepting the res
| ignation, that the Governor "never
for one moment believed him to have
been personally guilty Of dishonesty
or corruption in the administration
of his Office" MIR. Clinton fixed upon
December 18th as the date of his re-
tirement, in order to avoid the neces-
sity of a new election under article
seventy of the Constitution, and to
arrange the affairs of his Office for
transfer to his successor. He has
long desired to be free from the wear
ing and most unpleasant duties of the
office, but considered it his duty to
remain until /; portion of the history
! of the office had been made public,
and his conduct and reputation vim
Dictated. This has been done to an
extent that he trusts will be COM
pleted by " future and enlightened
public sentiment" A further reason
for his resignation is that he finds it
F." impossible to carry out his views
with reference to the proper manage
ment Of the Office, owing to the OPP
position of the Treasurer, supported
by corrupt men in and out of the Cen
eral Assembly, one Of their principal
objects being Co compel the indiscrim-
mate issue of warrants in excess of
the revenue and in violation of the
constitution" He has been attacked
on all sides and left practically with
out aid by some of those from whom
he confidently expected support"
He has been an obstacle to plumber
ers, and they desire his removal from
their path.
The Republican party selected "
Clinton, because Of his experience IS
a financial officer for many years lin
the service of the federal government,
and his unimpeachable integrity, to
fill position long known to be the
most thanklcss and exacting of any
in the gift of the State. 1t proved
terrible temptation to Wickliffe; its
duties reposcd like crown of thorns
on the head of Honest flames Gra-
ham, and now Mr.. Clinton :: gives it
up" in utter dependency. Mr.. Clin-
ton is not, and has not claimed to be,
a trained politician. When he took
the Office he meant business, economy
and reform. The constitutional
amendments prohibiting the issue of
warrants i'll excess Of revenue, are a
part of his policy. But he finds him
self powerlcss against the rings, who
mean plumber as they cry REFORM"
He could not be a super servicable
tool, and they determined to cruelty
him. This view is entertained by
impartial men, who desire to see JUS
tice done though the Heavens fall,
and who witness the failure of Mr..
Clinton as Il blow to the better inter-
ests of tho State. They regret that
Mr.. Clinton did not remain and con-
tinue the good fight, but are not
short-sighted in the discernment of
the overwhelming combinations that
may be formed against him, which
neither he nor any other honest man
in the State could probably avoid in
the impartial exercise of his duty.
Though the ring does exult, the cause
Of common honesty requires that he
be sustained by public opinion until
his prosecutors make good any one
point against him save that political
inexpc,ience which should always
pertain to the righteous public SER
want.
Attorney General Field has filed
erainSt tho fup1;n,,