The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-02-21
OUR NEW YORK LETTER.
4 Deficiency in the Paymaster
Generals Ofilcc--Efiect Of the
Whisky Investigation - News
paper Sianders.-.GOssip for the
READERS of the Intelligencer.

AktstuCTS VI tiiC Encouragement
NEW York, February 1G.
Editors Of the Intelligence:
1t sometimes happens, that having
special reasons for obtaining accurate in.
formation in relation to matters connected
with the Departments at Washington, we
are amazed when reading the reports Of
correspondents OF prominent journals, 10
witness the stupidity and ignorance dis
played by some Of them.
The Heraid OF this morning publishes u
report purpOrling to give an explanation
of deficiency in the army estimates for
the iiscal year ending June 80, 1875, and
in doing so makes such mixed up state
ment that the average reader would sup.
pose there was deialcatiOn OF half
million dollars in the Paymaster Gene.
rails office, instead Of n simple deficiency.
The facts briefly arc that the War De-
partmcnt estimates for the pay OF the
army for the period named were 20 ma.
terially reduced by the House Military
Committee before the appropriation WAS
made, that the Pay Department found IL
self out Of funds early in June, 1875, and
was obliged, like every body else when
their purse is empty, TO suspend pay
ment, and the Government is still indebt-
ed TO the officers and soldiers OF the army
for the amount OF their pay from the 10Th
to the 3Oth OF June, 1875, after which the
new appropriation became available and
the payments were Of course promptly
resumed.
ADEFIcIESCY BILL.
II il necessary now for Congress 10
pass deficiency bill for 100000, tho
amount still due the army for June, and
il General Banning don't understand this
matter any better than the Herald cores
pondent the Military Committee Of the
House would do well 10 solicit Mr.. Kerr
to appoint chairman competent TO dis.
tinguish the difference between n def
cheney and defalcation. II seems hard.
~ worth while TO dauiGetre reports Of
official dercllctiOn and mal.administra'
ton when nearly every month exposes
some new corruption demanding inyesli.
CATION, but it has become part Of our
political system to hint mysteriuusly at
gigantic frauds, and to complain Of incl
tciency aud mismanagement in all pub.
lie places Just before the Presidential
election. The only strictly honest and
capable people at such time, are those
who failed to demonstrate the popularity
OF their views at the last election, and
who were consequently prevented from
giving the country the benefit OF their
many virtues. ...... .
RECONSTRUCTION NECESSARY.
No one will attempt TO deny that the
public service is sorely in need Of recon-
struction, but here in New York, the peo.
pie have been 30 long accustomed 10 the cry
Of "plundercrs," "rObbprs," "thicf," "ras-
cal,5 "criminal," &C., that the develop.
mcnts now being made at St. Louisiana
elsewhere, fail entirely. to stir mp that
degree Of excitement and Indignation
which apparently has been produced in
other sections. StillYthe popular wish
seems to be that the work Of publication
having been inangurated should now be
carried on until the people are convinced
that corruption is banished from every
department OF the Government At the
same time il il better TO discourage the
reprchensible practice Of permitting ir-
responsible parties TO assail the reputa.
lion OF public officials from mere person.
al luminosity. Men who propagate ma.
licious scandal are rs much to be de-
spised rs those who conspire to rob the
public.
NEWSPAPER ASSAULTS.
ONLY few days ago A violent Assault
Of this kind was made upon the Secre-
tary Of War in the columns Of n leading
paper Of this city. The views OF. the cor.
respondent originating the story were
sustained and elaborated in q series Of
editorials, but suddenly the subject was
dropped and no further allusion made TO
it. Now, this is all wrong, because 10
some extent public opinion Is affected by
the mere allegation Of unlawful or uube.
coming acts upon the part Of any official
occupying so important place as that
OF General BelEnap. 1t Is true there
are many persons who have for several
years sought in vain to discover some
mark OF greatness, some evidence Of
talent or special adaptation to the
discharge oil the duties OF War
Secretary in the present incumbent,
and who have never fully understood
why the President invested, or at
least permitted this officer to assume
functions which rightiully belong to the
General Of the Army, but yet an accusa.
ton Of incompetency, or disgust at an
exhibition OF arrogance and ambition,
are widely different things from the
charge Of systematically levying black.
mail on the suffers Of the army, and 1t
would appear more consistent with its
dignity II the great Journal that organ
lies African expeditions and performs |
other wondrous feats would avoid |
alarming our national household with