The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-01-22

| the Republican nomination by making
| the loudcst and cunrsest bid, the coun-
try artist who will paint his picture
| for the campaign banners will have the
| opportunity OF his life. Let him draw the
| figure of "a wcll-fcd and somewhat corpu-
| lent gentleman. his capncious pockets
filled with protruding documents labelled
"Crcdit Mobiier Shares STOPPING and
| indusirously clawing open secluded
grave over which the grass has grown
green and the flowers have bloOmed
through many year Of peace.
The Washington Ring and the Bonds.
The Committee on the District of Co.
lumbia have adopted TEE SUNS suggestion
in regard to the 3.Gj bonds. and Mr.. BUCK
SER, the Chairman, has appeared before
the Committee ON Appropriations to pro-
test against the payment of interest on
them In February, or AZ all, until certain
important points involving the liability
of the United States can be determined.
So far So good This first step is in the
right direction, but il is only the beginning
OF long and perhaps tedious journey,
which must be pursued to the end in spite
Of all obstacles.
1t il allcacd that the Government only
agreed to eudoise ten millions of these
bonds. ANA therefore any increase OF the
Indebtedness beyond that amount is illc-
gal and ought not to be recognized by Con-
grcss. This position does not cover the
whole case 10y any means, aud is too TECH
meal TO be understood 10y the country Mt
large. Behind any Liability of the United
States there are other questions TO be con-
sidercd. which can only DC satisfied by an
earnest investigation.
Have the present Commissioners ex-
cecdcd the law defining Their dutissy Have
| they, under cover of extending contracts,
created new and unauthorized debts for
the bencnt Of Ring jobbors? Has the en-
| gneor undertaken work without sanction
of the statutcy Have illc-a and finudu-
lent claims passed the Board of Audit and
been converted into 3.Gj boudst Have the
| former clerks and other officials who were
| appointed 10y and trained under Boss
SHEPHERD, been retained and allowed TO
adjudlcatc these claimsf Is not the ma
ohiucry OF the present Government III all
respects, except in name. substantially
what 1t was when run 10y the Ring7
These questions can only be answered by
an inquiry which shall reach the bottom
facts, which NJ 10 this time, notwithstaud-
ing various Investigations, havcnever been
officially brought 10 hight The Committee
ON the District have not set out on this
work yet, for no authority las been asked
from the House to send for persons and pa
peis and no movement has been initiated
, winch looks to such II comprehensive plan
Us has been suggested.
If Mr.. BUokNEE and his associates stop
upon the narrow ground of resisting the
payment OF interest on the 3.Cj bonds be-
cause the obligation Of the Government
may bc doubtful, they will disappoint pub
lie expectation. The people OF the United
state, who have come 10 know generally
what the corruption. eXcesscs, tyranny,
ana robbcrios Of the Washington Ring are,
| have looked forward to the present House
| Of Il presentatiNcs foran overhaul ny OF all
| its onoimities. and u complete exposure Of
every rascality. no matter who may be inn
mplcat,d Republican Oh Democrat
They havea right 10 demand that it shall
be made now, and thus settle once for all,
not ouly the truth Of these charges, but the
relations of the Government TO the District,
anu va 'A' ~
now been going on TOR over four years, and
iti- high time it should be closed. All the
previous Investigations stopped at the door
of the White House. When BABCoCK was
proven 10 have signed fraudulent vouchers
for millions. the last JOINT committee were
too delicate even 20 summon min rs a wit
ness 1t might offend the President
The people of the District have been out
ragged. robbed, and harasscd 10y an organ
iz,d gang OF thieves. Hs badly rs those OF
south Carolina, and with thetu knowledge
| ifuot the direct couuivunce Of the Admins
u7luon. With no voice in the Government
which rules over them, no representation
for crushing taxation, aud no means Of re-
dress IN GRANTS courts, they are utterly
powerless for their own protection. The
cost OF tie so-callcd improvements charged
by the Ring aggregates fully thirty-three
millions of dollars, while the whole real
estate Of the District by the recent asscss-
meut of cash value isubout ninety millions.
Property IN Washington after all these
expenditures is to-day, except in favor, d
spots, worth less than it WAS seven years
ago under the old municipality. And it
must dcprccate still further by a natural
law because the rotten wood pavomeuts
and mongrcl coucrctes will soon become u
positive nuisance, which the health of the
community viii require to he replaced at IL
cost Of moro millions.
If Nj. BUCKAER's committee mean, there
FORE to 20 to the bottom Of this business,
aud open everything to the public view, no
time IL be lost. Taxpayers ought 10 insist
upon knowing how their money has been
expended, or if il has been stolen by the mill
lion, as many Of them believe. Every
question can be answered aud every point
settled before the adjournment Of Con-
gress, if this committee Will begin now and
20 on until the whole truth is exposed
Specie Payment.