New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-06-08
THE PARTIES ON TRIAL.


THE PARTIES ON TRIAL.
1t is likely that the Democrats did not
foresee the full consequences of general
inquisition, or they would have hesitated
before going into it with such a flourish
as we have seen. This inquisition, which
was concocted as party measure to in
jure the Republican party by assailing the
regulations of some of its prominent
members, has assumed such proportions
that it is now fair contest between the
Democrats and Republicans. Not only
is this the case, but the scope of inquiry
has been widened SO as to include and
admit the introduction Of any sort of
evidence that will damage either party.
So long as the inquiry was limited to the
legitimate objects of congressional duty,
there was no opposition on the part Of
the Republicans. A unanimous House
voted to prefer articles Of impeachment
against Belknap. But this was before the
policy was developed to whitewash and
excuse every Democrat who might be &C.
cused in the general shaking up and over
hauling of regulations. When the whole
party paused in it's career of investigation
to throw protection around George
Pendleton, and even threatened to stop
altogether, square issue was made.
From that moment the inauisitors have
themselves been on trial before the peo-
pie. Belknap was vigorously assailed
upon rumor, Pendleton exc used upon his
own admission that he had taken fee of
nearly fifty thousand dollars in a claim
case against the government where there
seems to have been but little to do,
save 60 to Washington and assure a
subordinate official in one of the
government accounting offices that it
was correct. Certificates of good char
acter are rendered in favor of Mr..
Blaine's accusers. while the language
hardly contains words strong enough to
describe Harvey, the man who swears
that Mr.. Kerr sold second lieutenant's
commission in the army to a perfect
stranger, citizen of New York, and a
well known Republican. He was neither
a constituent Of Mr.. Kerr nor a member
of his party. Yet he was nominated by
Mr.. Kerr, in note in his own hand
writing, still on file in the War Depart
ment Notwithstanding these strong cir
cumstances, unanimous exoneration of
Mr.. Kerr is expected from the Democratic
committee, while fresh charges are pre-
ferred against Mr.. Blaine as fast as he
disposes Of the old ones. Gentleman
George and Mr.. Kerr find powerful advo.
Gates in the committee, while Repub-
licans are compelled to furnish such evil
dence as satisfies everybody else before
the partisan judges will admit it.
While these malignant inquisitors
fondly suppose they are making a case
against the Republicans such q one as
will tell in the next campaign they are
themselves on trial before the people, 1t
is seen that they have squandered several
months Of time and unknown sums of
public money in preparing for a Demo-
cratic campaign on basis of assailing
The characters Of leading Republicans,
while shielding the opposition. Instead
IF addressing themselves to the business
for which they were elected, the Demo-
cratic members of the House have been
looking after their personal and party in
5erests in quite another fashion. They |
nave consorted with informers, spies and |
airelings from all parts of the country,
md maintained an army of them at the |
public expense all winter. They have
brought their accusations against one
'fter another of the leading Republicans,
'nly to fail in each case. Matters
AVE grown desperate. The country
vas patient under the process of
vhitewashing Pendleton and disposed to
,e lenient with Kerr, but something like
n equal chance is demanded for Blaine.
t therefore becomes necessary to convict
i'm of something or admit their failure.
The question is at last narrowed down to
square issue between the ex-Speaker and
is accusers. One side OF the other must
Q proved guilty to the satisfaction of the
majority Of the people, and as it depends
good deal upon the political complex
N Of the jury, it is not difficult to anticl-
ate the verdict.
HE SNUaGLER AND THE POLITICIANS.
The abuses which may prevail in any
rye establishment are well known.