Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1876-04-27
Smith,.

We are aware that in writing The
above caption, we might as well say
John Doe. for without explanations or
some qualifying words. it is very indef-
mite. But we mean Chas. III. Smith.
the new Journal Clerk of the House of
Representatives the man for whom Onr
old friend John NJ Barclay, was COM
PEELED to walk the official plank. Smith
is n Democratic reformer and this is
why he was made Journal Clerk. But
he is a thrifty sort of fellow. if he is a
reformer; and when the Bill for the
equalization of soldiers bounties WAS
introduced, he forthwith proceeded to
send out circulars. specifying the terms
on which he would attend to the cOllec-
ton of the soldiers claims, as soon as
the bill should become law. This
was i'm plain violation Of "A law Of con-
cress. but Mr.. Smith being a Democrat
ic refOrmer, having been placed there
for the purpose of purifying the civil
service. could not of course have had
any improper motive. As we said he is
a thrifty sort of person. and seeing lrre
a small gold mine, he thought it no sin
to take steps to convey the deposit
to his own pocket. Congress concluded
some time ago that it was not advisa-
fble for TIE Journal Clerk to I've personal
! " lter, sted in measures pending be-
/ fore the House, but Smith did not SEE
ii in that point of view. and thought
his purity as reformer would be srf-
/ ficient To enable him TO turn the cur
rent If this golden stream into his own
pocket. Under such circumstances be-
Ing journal clerk, some men might have
been tempted To help the bill along by
''ways that are dark and tricks that are
not vain" but not SD Smith. Ii must
not be limited that he would do so
/ naughty thing. for is he not a Demo-
cratic reformer? And WAS not John
/ NJ. Barclay, who never issued any cir
culars, turned out tO make way for him
/ in order that Ie might assist to purify
/ the civil service? But Smith is not
alone. TIE assistant Journal clerk.
/ for whom ClaytOn's official head rolled
b into the basket is found To have been ia
/ former times conscientious enemy Of
the Union. So much 81 that he engaged
In the business of inducing desertiOns
to prevent, as far as p''ssible the etiu-
sion of rebel bIond. For his humane
efforts i'm this line, he was tried by OF.
der of Gen. Hooker, found guilty, and
was subjected To- the power Of tyrlnts
We have not been able to- Learn
whether or not it was his Efforts in wal
reform that made him prominent "a I
Democratic reformer, and gave ~
his present official honors. ''One b,
one the roses fall" and now "A do
keeper has been retired. and the doc
which once knew him shall know hin
no more forever, just because his visit
To- SandersOn's became 81 frequent tina
IA corner ON whisky was about To b
. established To the great Injury of tn
} Democratic side of the House. An,
now Brighton, clerk to the milirar
committee, is being investigated, an
? Adams. the Clerk of the House, an
: still another. is under the ban. Ala:
: alas, and these are all Democratic II
: foTmersl We are moved to put IA
arithnetical question, an example i
: the rule of three or proportion: # gu
E Of. say twenty officers. of the House {
: Representatives, six have fallen j
three months, how many ont of S0,O
I in the whole nation would fall i'm fou
! years? Aud echo answers, chow many?