The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-07
TREASURER BURDETT'S RE.
MOVAL.
Comments OF the state Press.

In impeaching the State Treasurer,
the Legislature of West Virginia have
expressed utter condemnation of the
policy inaugurated under Grant and
the Republicans at Washington-that
of arning out offices to those who were
m ost prolific in gifts. Mr.. Burdett, it is
true, did rot farm out offices; but he
tarmed out the peoples money to Banks
for "small favors," which was
only carrying out the same princi-
ple. Burdett was satisfied with receiving
the rents of "small farms"-Grant loom-
ed up to elegant brown stone mansions,
palace summer resorts, elegant spans of
horses and fat pickings in Wall street,
but there is no talk of impeaching him.
We are glad this policy has been con-
demned by the Democracy of West Vir-
ginia, not only because it is right, but
that il has set the seal of condemnation
upon all such acts Observation-Disclosures
burg Inquirer.
The State Treasurer, Capt. John S
Burdett, has been found guilty OF two OF
the several articles on which he was tried,
and has been removed from office, but
not disqualified from holding it again.
1t looks to US, that if he was guilty he
should not be qualified to step into the
same place again, but should have been
exiled. We and good many others,
however, while admitting the improprie.
ty of Mr.. Burdetts action, do not believe
him guilty of any intentional wrong.
But it is done. The Captain can come
before the people for final acquittal, and
we believe he will get it.-MOreied Er-
dn,iner.
That the verdict could not have been
Otherwise than it has, is clear, in view OF
the fact that State treasurer is the trus-
tee of the State, in whose hands are given
the public funds for disbursement, and
whose conduct should be impartial in
order that one depository should not be
injured by the withdraw of all Its funds
for the sole purpose Of maintaining
certain specified amount in another.
That it is dangerous precedent
to Justify the custodian of our
public funds in specustlng with them,
none will deny. The statute fixed both
the maximum and minimum rates of in
tersst, and the broadest construction
given that statute cannot certainly sus-
tain the conclusion that the Treasurer
was confined only TO the minimum. Rea-
son forces us to the contrary conclusion
that the Treasurer is expected to
realize the maximum if he can, and that
the people should profit by it, and not
less than the minimum under any circum-
stsnc Morgan Mercury.
Though the skies fall, we say investi-
gate, prosecute and punish every default
or, from Gen Babcock down. Whisky
frauds, internal revenue rascals, railroad
subsidy steals and Credit Mobilier rob-
,ries all warn us of the dishonesty in
high places, and teach us to be vigllsnt.
-Keyse7 Tribune.
Our feelings as to the conviction of
Mr.. Burdctt are good deal like those of
Governor Jacob, when the Court Of APP
peals decided the penitentiary case
against him. We recognize the fact
that we are beaten, but that does not
change our opinion on the subject par
tcle.- Weston Democrat.
When the Democratic party came
lnLO power III tlc ctatSi tuO PO'P'S "N'N
promised that all offenders against an
honest Democratic administration of the
affairs of the State should be punished,
and well has this rule been kept. No
officers, high or low, should be allowed
to abuse the trust contided in him, with
out meeting that punishment which is
due to his offence, as this is the only way
to preserve that ''old American slmplic-
ity and honesty in office that we read
of in the days OF our fathcrs.-PhtlttPpt
Pidindedter.
1t is matter OF congratulation, that
this prosecution against a Democratic
Treasurer, has boen begun by Democrats
and carried through by Legislature
largely Democratic in both branches. 1t
is renewed evidence that the Democratic
party is as ready to punish fraud or crime
IN lis own ranks, as in those of It's enc
mics.
1t presents a striking contrast to the
action OF the Republican US. Senate,
which, by strict party vote, has just re-
fused to permit investigation into errors
and deialcations that were shown to exist
in the L. S. Tressury.-H"mttngto" Ad-
rertiSer.
Most of our State exchanges simply
notice the fact of the Treasurer remov-
al without making any comments.