Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-04-11

utmost capacity. A second meeting was
organized in the large lecture room, and
still hundreds went away unable TO gain
admittance. 1t is estimated that at least
$500 persons were unable TO find their
way into the Congregational church. in
the evening. The interest extends to all
classes of society, aud many are being
converted. Some of the hardest cases in
the community are among the converts.
The work is being heartily entered into
by all the churches, and much good is
the result.
Investigations are still the order of the
day, but as yet have developed no glaring
frauds committed by the true friends OF
the administration. AS we predicted
before Congress convened. they have
pushed matters but short time in any
direction without running against their
own friends. This has been literally true,
as no Republican has as yet been brought
before the public as having committed a
fraud against the government. Some
little excitement was created last week
by the summary manner in which Sec.
Chandler decapitated Lippincott, Chief
Clerk of the Land Office. Subsequent
inquiries developed the fact that irregu
larities had been discovered in issuing
Indian half breed scrip. While auditor
OF the Land Office he was in league with
parties in Minnesota, who with LIS full
Knowledge. furnished forged Powers q
Atty, in Government cases on each OF
which he received a fee of S26, amounting
to total of S22 800 90. The result OF
these forgeries was to defraud both the
Indians and the government. Il is further
alleged that he has been engaged in other
fraudulent transactions which are being
investigated by the Committee on Indian
Affairs. Here is another proof OF the
folly of republican administration trust
ing its most important positions 10 the
democracy. With his well known demo-
cratic tendencies he was given respon-
sible position and kept in Office during all
these years, the only reason being that he
vas very agreeable, pleasant gentleman
and the husband of "Grace Greenwood
We are heartily sick of this cry against
prescription in Office. as the republican
party can yet furnish honest and capable
men enough to Till these places acceptably
to the people and in the interest OF good
government. Our faith in the grand old
party is yet mistaken.
The House OF Representatives has thus
far wasted its time on the DILL for reducing
salaries and the force in the departments,
hoping thereby to make some political
capital. When il is known that the present
salaries oi clerks WAS fixed by demo.
cratic Congress and the bill signed by a
democratic President, at time when the
purchasing power OF dollar was fully
double that OF the present time. we think
the capital thus gained will te small and
the labor spent will be in vain.
The present organization Of the clerks
in the departments into classes was done
by act OF Congress and approved by
President Fillmore. March 3. 1858, which
act classified them and fixed their salaries
as follows, viz; Clerks of the lst class
5000; 2nd. sl200; 81, $500; 4th, $500.
BY act OF Congress, approved April 22d,
1854. ii is provided that the salaries of
clerks in the departments at Washington
shall be. lst class, 1920; 2nd, Sl4OO;
81. $1,000; 4th, $500, to take effect June
80, 1853, being retroactive. At that
time good houses were rented at from $40
to GIG per month; the best of meats sold
at 10 cents per pound, coal, 81 90 per ton
aud butter from Is to lS cents per pound.
At present rents are s25 to $40 per month
the average being considerably above
S30-except in the outskirts OF the city
where four or five room house can be
had at $50. Meats cost from 25 10 soc.
per pound, coal IS 80 per ten, butter 45
to so cents pound. and all other articles
in like proportion. We think any unprej
udiced person will readily admit that the
present attempt partakes somewhat of a
partisan character to say the least.
1t is very pleasant indeed to observe
the Improvement in the feeling regarding
political matters since the New Hamp-
shire election. 1t was bomb shell in
the camp OF the enemy.
OXFORD.