The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-09-13
MortOn's Figures Astounding Ex
IravaRance.

Academy Of Music, attempted to answer
the indictment of the Republican party
made by the ST. Louis platform and Mr..
Tilden's letter Of acceptance. For this pur-
pose he drew for his alleged facts and fig
ures upon a speech made by Republican
congressman from Illinois in the House OF
Representatives 10 July last. Stephen A.
HurIbut, the member alluded to, had his
figures prepared by the treasury depart
ment, and, by the way. it may
be mentioned that previous to every
election The depsr ments at Washington
are all placed under contribution to pre-
pare electioneering documsnts for the use
OF Republican orators. The Senate In this
instance called TOR the statement of re-
ceipts, disbursements and losses Of the
government during twenty-seven years OF
Democratic administrations and fourteen
years of Republican administrations, in or
der to make comparison, and Hurlbut
used them at the proper time for the de-
signed political effect.
Taking these figures, Hurlbut and Nor
ton have endesvored to show that when
the whole amount Of money received
and discussed by the Democrats is
aggregated, and the losses set
opposite, with a like procedure with Rs
publican receipts and losses, the table
will show a greater per cent OF losses in
the q years of Democratic rule than in
the IA years of Republican rule. This
process is simply throwing dust in the
eyes OF the people. The figures OF durl-
but, as used by Morton, tell another tale
that he carefully avoided saying anything
about, the enormous amount OF money
that the Radical party have collected from
the people.
Let us look az the figures as stated by
Hurlbut
The gross receipts under Democratic
rule, during the period including
the Mexican war, for q years,
was 81 1855, 997 .5O2 So. For the fourteen
years following under Republican rule the
receipts wers S12,566. S92. $50 So. From
these data Morton draws the conclusion
that greater per cent was lost by defsl-
cations, on the gross amount in the
twenty-seven years OF Democratic rule
than in the fourteen years of Republican
rule, and ne argues thersfrom that the
Republican party is less corrupt than the
Democrats. A single word will clear up
this specious plea OF Senator Morton. As
the government grew older In experience,
laws and ensctments Of Congress guarded
more faithfully the treasury aud when toe
money once CO. into the treasury it was
almost impossible, only by direct stealing,
and the worthlessness of bondsmen, that
it could bs lost. Hence the rascally
Republican offi Gals stole the public
money before it got into the
treasury. IL was Dawes of Mas
sacEusetts ii we remember Alright who
showed tnst % per cent. of the revenue
due the government from customs during
the period OF Radical rule, was absolutely
lost, and every BODY knows that the whisky
rings swindled the government out OF
hundreds OF millions of dollars. There
have been Indian rings, post office con-
tract rings, custom house ri g, railroad
subsidy rings, in active operation ever
since the increased revenue of the govern
ment was made necessary. By infamous
tariff laws in favor OF ring manufact urers,
immense sums OF money were wrested
from the people that should have gone into
the treasury. Enormous as the amount is
which the Republicans admit they have
received into the treasury. indubitsble
fact show that at least from 10 to 25 per
seat. more has been stolen before it
got into the treasury. the dishon-
est collector could well afford to
pay into the treasury the collections re-
corded on his books, while bis pockets
were lined WITH green backs and gold which
he had received as brides tor making false
returns or the business and custom dues
of his corspiIators.
But there is another use TO which these
figures can be legitimstely put in the pres
ent canvass, and we call the attention OF
Democratic speakers who are confronted
with MUrton's statements. The public debt
of the nation to day is 81, 24l ,21S, sos This is
an enormous sum. l. staggers the mind to
at, empt to comprehend it. This is the Leg
scy LETT py the Republican party to the ma
tiop. But, enormous as it is, 1t dwin-
dies into Insignlfcsnce when compared
with the amount of receipts as
shown in the treasury statement from
which Hurlbut and Morton quote. Look
at 1t, citizens of Indiana. you who are
learning political wisdom from the lips OF
Morton Look at it, tax-ridden citizsns
OF Indiansl Look at 1t, idle mechanics
and other laboriDg men whose scanty
store is growing less, with no promise In
the future Look at it, radical orators
and blush for your party, for your tongues
must cleavs to the roofs OF your mouths
when you try to tell the people what