The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-09-22

by organized bands Of countcrfcitcrs Mt the
very beginning Of our vast issues of paper
money. Like most Of the Government
machinery during the era of Grantism
this branch expanded into n bureau
with largo force Of so-calcd dctcc-
tivcs; and finally it became partisan
instrument Of oppression and outrage In
the hands of those who stood near the
throne of power and had selfish inter
csts 10 promote, personal malice to crafty,
or polit al purpose to advance. The uses
10 which this powerful machine was put,
working in secret and with the hands of dcs-
rcratc scOundrcls ready for any crime that
promised reward. would scom iucrcli-
bic II the proofs were not conclusive and in
dispuiahc.
The chief ~ this service, while It was at
tachcd To the Department ~ Justice, drew
upon his own order solely whatever money
he required, within the limit Of the appro-
pration, and the Attorney General, through
his chief clerk or with his own hand, APP
proved the drafts for ten twenty, thirty.
and forty Thousand dollars at time with
out asking II question. No vouchers were
| required to audit these accounts. but merely
statement that So many detectives had
been employed ut u certain per diem, with
their expenses added. During the DAYS Of
| the alleged Ku-Klux, the secret service was
power, and expended enormous SUNS
under prctcXt Of pursuing enemies 10
! the public peace, whom they created, like
| FALS AFF's army. Hundreds Of innO-
cent men were sworn away by profess
sional pcriurers, in order To exhibit the cn-
cheney of infamous detectives and hircngs.
who dealt in crime rs n regular business, ut
the expense of the National Treasury.
II has been proved beyond dispute that
the safe burglary conspiracy Mt Washing
ton, In which BABCOcR, HARRfNuTON. and
SHErHERDs Ring figured 81 odioIsly. was
managed by this bureau. and that the agents
hired to do the job were paid directly from
the money voted 10y Congress to detect
countcrfcting. Professional burglars and
thieves were the chosen instruments of this
work, set on, guided. and protected by OIL
cials holding responsible trusts under the
Government.
When IL was proposed to kidnap Mr.. RAY
MoND II. PERRY. and to carry him from
Rhode Island to Texas on fabricated
charge Of crime. In order TO shut out his
testimony against the San Domingo scheme.
| INC III 81 ItIStN W NUOtU DABtthk HDDIfu
for aid was the chief of this bureau That
conspiracy failed. because the Governor of
Rhode Island discovered the plot and would
not grant a warrant for cXtradtion on the
false and forged representations presented
| to him. The attempts to carry editors
to Washington and try them before in
competent courts and packed juries for
exposing the corruption and robbcries OF
the Ring, or the rascalites Of SEcoR
RoBEsoN. were promoted and sometimes
prompted by this same bureau. aided by
the police and detectives Of the capital, who
made common cause together in every great
outrage, just as they drew their common
support from the Treasury.
These are only few OF the hdeous facts
connected with the recent history If the
secret service How many public men
and private individuals suffered at its
hands from the vindictivcncss Of those
who pulled the wires, may, like the secrets
OF the lnqulsition, never bc fully known.
Enough is established. however to make
its continuance disgrace to the cOun-
| try; and its accepted name, though en-
tircly unknown to the law, is Of itself ob
noxiOus 20 all proper sentiment in IA free
country. We want no secret service, organ
lied as such, for any purpose. II detectives
are necessary in the pursuit Of criminals, or
for protection against countorfciters, there
are professional experts in all the great
| cities, who make this special business,
| and who have superior facilities for attain
| ing the ends of Justice They can be en-
| ploycd at far les, expense than il now in
Cured. and without subjccting the Govern
mont to rcproach.
The time has come TO abolish this fraud
and dlshonor The House of Represented
tivcs is expected 10 appropriate NO more
money to maintain system Of spies, in
formers, and plunderers.