Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-04-24
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EXPLODED ISLANDERS.


The charges made against the President
in the democratic newspapers within the
last week, concerning the alleged use of
the secret service fund for election pur-
poses, are now known to have been with
out foundation. the products of partizan
malignity. 1t was said that money
amounting to $50 900 had been paid from
that fund by order of the President,
through Attorney General Williams. to
Mr.. Davenport, Chief Supervisor of EIec-
tons in New York, which he had paid out
between the years 1871 and 1875, to infiu
ence the elections in that city in favor Of
the republicans.
The truth as it has come to light since
the charges were made shows not stain
upon the President. Mr.. Davenport was
made Chief Supervisor of Elections in
New York under the Election Franchise
Law, a measure rendered necessary by
the frauds committed at elections. Act
ing in this capacity he made complete
registration of the city, beginning in 1871.
Attorney General Williams stated to the
committee before which the charges
against the President originated. that be-
tween the years 1871 and 1875 he furnish
ed to Mr.. Davenport the entire amount of
the expense of the work, the sum being
A35, 900. He farther said that if Daven
port had called on the Supervisors separ-
a,ely to make lists Of registration, the ex-
pense, owing to the large number of Su-
pervisors. (two for every election district
or voting precnt,) would have been much
greater and the work not so we'll perform
ed.
The saving effected by government sup
ervision of elections in New York
amounted to $4,000, and the elections
were relieved from the fraud which was
pracliced under the old system. This lat
ter fact is one which the democrats do not
like, and this accounts in large measure
for their attempt to bring the system into
disrepute. "All that is left of the sensa-
tion," says Washington correspondent
appears to be the bare assertion which
will Of course be reiterated, that the reg
iitration business is pretence, and that
Davenport used the money as a campaign
fund. The answer to this is, that this very
plan has reduced the annual expense for
government supervision of elections in
New York about $40. 900, a sum greater
than its entire cost. and it is suggested
that the best evidence of its efficiency in
the prevention of fraud is the violent en-
nifty of the New York democrats toward
It,"
Other exploded ISLANDERS are the last in
relation to Secretary Bristow. These
have dissolved suddenly. The committee
before which the charges were made have
dropped them with the acknowledgment
by the chairman that nothing has beer
proved against the Secretary, and that
farther investigation is unnecessary
Those who saw the displayed head line:
and double loaded articles in the demo
cratic papers. concerning the charges
against the President and Mr.. Bristow
may be surprised at the very tame con
clusion of those startling advertised allie
cations, and inquire of themselves wheth
er that kind of business will pay the party
which invests in it, To those we com
mend the following paragraph from al
al -, L., \ I
democratic newspaper of commanding
ability and wide influence in the section o
country where it is located:
1.-The newspapers are certainly carryin!
1.-The business Of defamation. based on in
Sufficient and irresponsible Information
"to an extent which is tolerably sure T.
.'bring about reaction. There is now
"hardly public man, from such as Thur
"man to such as O'Conor, who has nc
chad himself smirched If one remains
"be he as chaste AS ice, as pure as snow
'he shall not escape calumny. This can
mot last without its legitimate result
''more dangerous state Of Indifference a
ito public morals than we have seen, and
"by consequence, greater latitude L
"fhieyes. Every lie that is told balance
"a truth. Confuse the classes and degree
..of guilt, and, the standard being gone
'.the corruptionist becomes the companion
.sof the most upright. The newspaper.
do not discriminate. They refuse t.
..spoil sensation by disbelieying it. l
ais SO easy to accuse. personalities are s.
popular, and the party is so little likel.
.sto make it warm for his assailant. w
..need few successful libel suits. The
..wouid mend matters decidedly"