The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-08-10
Democratic Defalcations.

W hen the inventor or vender OF any
nostrum is found going to and fro, pro-
claiming that his mixture cures all the
ills to which human flesh is unfortunate
ly heir it is not too much Tor his hear
ers TO look to the person of the seller
for evidence of the efficacy of his phys
ic. If he have clear skin, powerful
frame, and the flush of health on his
cheek, they may be justified in accept
ing, at least, a portion OF his declara-
tions rs truths. But if, on the contrary,
his color be bad, his form bent. his step
lack vigor, his voice lack animation, ard
his tout ensemble show that he is not en-
ioying the health he promises to others,
none can blame his auditors ii they de-
nounce him rs an impostor, and refuse,
on any terms, to receive the trash which
he recommends rs having such wonder
tul efficacy of cure.
AS with medicine men, so with re-
formers. II 1t be not too much to ask
that the vender OF cure-alls should be
healthy, neither is it extravagant to de-
mand that reformers should themselves
be reiormed. Preachers of purity
should be holy, even as denouncers of
stealing should be no thieves. But this
quality, So very essential, has been en-
tirely overlooked by the red-hot Demo-
cratic reformers of the present day.
They have cried loudly for reform, and
have bitterly denounced Republicans,
without in the least rejecting that their
own record in the past might be brought
up. and by little inspection made to
appear in its true colors. This catas-
trophe, the thing above all others which
the Democrats had most to dread, had
at last come to pass, and for it, and the
unlucky position in which they are con-
sequently placed, they have to thank no.
body but themselves.
Some time ago, the Senate finding
that the Democratic members of the
House were determined TO make as
much party capital as possible, and
were somewhat Indifferent as to where
they obtained the raw material, resolved
to give them q chance for victory at one
fell stroke, A resolution was conse-
quently passed requiring the Treasury
Department to furnish detailed state
ment, fromIauthentic sources. Of the
amounts lost to the Government by the
defalcations of the officials under each
Administration since Jackson's second
u
were furnished, and with them tabu-
lar statement showing the percentage
of money lost in each 1900 by the de-
ialcation or dishonesty OF Government
officials. Thus at aglance may be COM
pared the losses Of each Administration,
aud the question of their relative hon
esty be put forever at rest.
During Jackson's second term the
gross loss per 81 900 was $40 So; that
Is, for every 81 900 handled by Gov
ernment officials $40 55 were lost or
stolen. Van Buren's administration
covered the term OF the Florida war,
and the loss per 81 900 was $2l Is. This
was extraordinary, even for Democrats
and was greatly reduced during the ad-
ministrative term of Harrison and Tyler,
when the loss was $40 81. Under Polk
things were better, and the loss was still
further cut down to IS 81. while Tay-
lor and Fillmore still further reduced 1t
to o. "a. Under Pierce the loss was
even less, being $5 sc, but under Buch-
anan II was increased TO 8 %. In Lin
coins first Administration, though the
gigantic war of the Rebellion vas go
ing on, the stealing was reduced Sl Al
on 81 900; while under Lincolp's sec
ond term, finished by johnson, the do
felt was still further reduced to 48 cents.
The first term of Mr.. Grant beheld a re-
duction to 40 cents. and under his sec
ond term. of every $1,000 handled by
Government officers only 70 cents have
bcen distracted or lost.
Figures speak for themselves. aud
these figures loudest Of all. The DEM
ocrats might have gone further for In.
formation. hut could hardly have Jared
worse. Tho denunciations for the last
eight years showered on the Republican
party for official defalcations have been
SO numerous and so indiscriminate, that