The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-03-06

cred. THIS very BiLKNAP business was
made pubic by the rcss long ago, aid
WA known TO many people, even To
those who we're iumicai TO the Socre-
tary; snd the Secretary himself knew
that Il was so known. Yet such con-
ndonce did he have in his ability 10 con
zeal The transactions, that he went boldly
on, month after month and year alter
year, trusting ~ the agcncica of lying ana
silence to protect him. This extraordinary
confidence could only have been born of
other success full enterprises of the same
sort.
This ease has most important moral,
namely, that by the ordinary doctrine OF
chances, there are tif,v on hundred cases
oil n similar sort suppressed and forever
concealed, 10 every one that becomes
known; while In h hundred other cases
there might be plentYOf evidence, morally
convincing, and yet none that would
lead 10 conviction in n court of law. II
Marsh had not confessed. and If BEL
RNAp had strtuuously denied, like BAH
COCK and BEEcuER. aud the case had been
brought TO trial, with the President sup
porting the Secretary, who believes that a
CONVICTION would have taken place? Ii
would have been BADcoCK verdict
over ngain. We regard it, therefore, o.
most useful accident that the truth has
been plainly told in q ringlc instance, aud
thereby justice secured in ono case. II
will be an outrage if MARsH is victimized
by n public prosecution for his upright
has been accomplished.
What blow the prosecution of MARSH
which Gen. GRANT is now setting OH foot
would deal TO successful investigation of
simi ar cases. Ii would add enormously 10
difficulties already too great and well nigh
iusurnountablc in the detection and pun
ishment of public robbery. Here is the
War Department. Tor example, in which
plenty of evidence exists TO make it moral
~ certain that fraud and corruption per-
Yade and permclte its entire administra-
ton; and yet its head confidently counts
on impul ity and escape, on this very
ground # legal inability to convict. What
an outrage, TO add to tie dcfcncos of oul-
pabuity like this. Besides. there is an im-
inensc amount of other exposure to be
environed by difficulties, for the want Of
honest testimony like MARsI's. 1t will be
hard Indeed it, added TO the natural dill
cultios of getting it, the witnesses are to be
threatened with the pcuitentiary if they
shall give il.
We see the heads of departments going
to Washington poor, and immediately roll
ing in carriages and revealing in luxury.
where does the money come from
Everybody knows IL is not honestly
gained: but nobody can nut his finger
on the precise spot the actual source OF
supply. You may indicate. you may sug
gest, you may believe you know but there
is no legal proof. Now here comes IL case
in which we are shown precisely how the
thing is done. We are brought face 10
face with the actual account on which the
money is drawn; and il is all brought out
by the good luck of having some houcst
testimony We protest, in behalf of the
public morals, against GRANTS plan of
shutting the door against more testimony
of the same sort. Our difficulties are great
enough now, rs everybody must see in
getting ut solid proof.
Let us have everybody like MIR. MARSH
encouraged, ana not frightened OF the
track. Gen. GRANTS scheme will not an
swcr, even though FBELINGHUYsEN and
| CONKLiNG should advocate it with all their
might.