Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-04-06
Thursday Morning, April 6, 1876

UNDER the investigation or the
Democratic House of Representatives,
a series Of frauds and pecala,ions ex
tending over number Of years and
involving millions Of dollars has been
exposed. These frauds are not charges
able to band Of thieves outside OF the
government who in spite Of every pre-
caution Of faithful and honest officials,
have. sncceetled in swindling the
government. but the leaders are men
" ao ocoapisd places which shoald only
be filed by the best and most honest
This cabinet selected by the President,
the first officer of the government, Is
composed in part q. least, OF men whose
official conduct, instead of demonstras-
ing THEN honesty and fitness for the
place, has proved them to be no better
but more cowardly than that claas OF
men whose faces adorn the rognes
gallery. These frauds have been
practised, we may say, under the pro
tscting arm Of the President. Phey
have been in part, at least, exposed,
and Notwithstanding charges have been
openly preferred in the newspapers OF
ths land, their conduct was not in
vestlgated and they were permitted, SO
long az the government was under the
control Of the Republican party, to
sarry on their nefarious practices with
ont hindranee. That these me II
selected by the President and occupy
ing the position of confidential advisers
to him, were often exposed, but not
brought TO account for their transae-
,ions, reflects in no small degree upon
the President himself.
Another serious aspect Of the case
presents itself in the fact that the
Presidents own brother, has for years
peddied government patronage in q
most outrageous and disgraceful
manner We find him levying upon
the post traderships for bis own per-
sonal advantage and in these trans
actions, be was sustained by the
Executive Of the nation. Government
contracts are secured by dividing the
profits With tbs Presidents brother
he is hired at a salary as solicitor Of
government patronage by Oh entsrpris-
ing house, which has secured extensive
jobs through his influence. Corruption
and bribery prevail in the highest de"
paytment Of the government, q dis
grace to the nation, terrible response
bifity upon those who placed these
parties in power Whether the
President was or was not Z direct
participant in the fruits Of these
disgraceful transactions, is matter Of
little consequence. He is responsible
for them. and if they could be carried
ON for series Of years in his own
family, and by those who were most
trusted with the secrets OF the governs
nent, and had constant access to him,
without bis knowledge, it u clearly
evident that he is not the man to be
trusted with the duties Of chief Ex
ecntive of the nation. The people have
bscome conscious ofthis fact, his own
party no longer crings and fawn upon
him az their chosen leader, but are
casting about for successor who can
convince the public that he 10 an honest
man. The responsibility, however,
rests NOT alone upon him, bat the party
through which corrupt men have been
placed in the highest offices Of the
government. It is the natural result
Of their disregard Of constitutions,
provisions and of their desire to subject
the entire nation to the control oil
a corrupt party.