The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1876-05-04
THE WORK or POLITICAL SCAN
DAT..

Dali.
Even some of the more moderate
of the Democratic papers are begin
ming to see that their party managers
at Washington are OVERRIDING the bus
mess OF trying to manufacture politi.
cal capital through the Investigating
committees. Witnesses have been
subpenaed, almost without limit, from
every direction. In a majority Of
cases these witnesses are dead-beats,
jobbers, and professional blackmail-
ers who, for a consideration, are ready
to testify to whatever may be wanted.
The New Tribune, an anti-Adminis-
tration paper, throws some light on
the method Of operations pursued by
these scandal committees, in CORES
pondence given on the first page Of
this number. And now the St. Paul
Rspotch says:
It WA announced, with some show Of
truth, that there existed in the United
States an immense secret association of pro-
fessional jurors and witnesses, under one
grand commander with more despotic pow
ers than were held by the famous autocrat
of the Sons Of Malta, banded together,
hired and paid and ready for any emergen.
cy. The story lacked confirmation, seemed
incredible, but by no means impossible.
Events now transporting have not diminish
ed the impossibilitv. True or false, it be-
gins to look rs if the authorities At WASH
ington were OVERRIDING the witness business,
unless, perchance, it has been solemnly de-
termined to summon the whole country to
Washington.
Through the perured evidence Of
just such scoundrels the Democratic
managers have attempted to fasten
charges of fraud and corruption up
on President Grant, Secretary Bris-
tow, and every Republican of promi-
hence whose destruction they deem
essential to the success of their
party. Every consideration Of honor
or deceucy has been made subservient
to this one purpose, and the Chair
men of the investigating committees
have comported themselves as though
they were members Of packed
ward caucnses instead IF memhors
Of Congress sworn to Go their duty
and to deal justly with al men and
with every interest. But even with
the aid of such witnesses almost ev-
cry investigation has proved such a
miserable .sasco that contempt has
been brought upon the parties man
aging it. The committees have
given credence to the testimony of
professional jobbers, counseled with
the creatures of the Whisky Ring,
and hung upon the words of luna
tics, but with no other result than to
raise the men against whom their eff.
forts have been made higher in the
confidence fthe people. And while,
with the loud cry Of "reform," they
are cutting down the salaries OF clerks
in the departments and of the repre-
sentatives of the nation in foreign
countries, the Democrats in Congress
are wasting tens Of thousands of dol.
lars in paying the expense of bring
ing this horde of witnesses to WASH
ington. In this they give practical
evidence Of what their idea of reform
and economy is. 1t is "rillions for
party purposes, but not a dollar that
can be helped for the support of the
Government" The Dispatch is com.
PEELED to say further:
The treasury is in great danger of utter
depletion. Evidence depends very
much on the character and reputa-
ton of witnesses. Subjected to this test,
it is suggested that Congress make an ap-
preparation for the maintenance and SUD-
port Of large number of the distinguish
ed individuals now being called to WASH
ington, and keep them at home.
A Presidential election is approach.
ing; the Democracy are in desperate
straits they have their hands in the
public treasury, and no consideration
for the burdened condition of the
country Or for their oft-repeated
pledges Of reform and economy will
restrain their party leaders from
making any expenditures OF the peo-
ple's money which they think will
furnish them with political capital.