Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1877-09-06
Our washington Letter

ssl'ectat cesDePoadenceof ne OnsrRSRr
w AsnNGToN,D. C.,Aa,g. il. III
The Administration journey
through Ohio TO be commenced
on the 9th of September will
hardly receive the same kindly
treatment given to tile North
crn tonr just completed. The
political motives of the Ohio
Journey are more apparent. II
IS known. that Mr.. Hayes is ex-
tremely anxious for the endorse
Inent of his own State, else he
wonld'not have permitted one
OF his Cabinet officers to make
a political speech there, and
would not himself just prio: TO
the election, traverse many of
its cotimies with a party GER
tain 10 attract attention and Sc
cilre the presence of large
crowds Of people. The effect
OF the trip on the voters of
Ohio ought not 10 be doubtful.
The Administration which at
tempts TO keep the small office
holders out of politics ought to
observe at least the plain pro-
prieties of official life. As the
Investigations of late Office
holders and politicians in South
Carolif.a progress the develop
mcnt becomes almost startling.
There seem to have been unan-
unity among The radicals on the
Nzabject of stealing the public
funds, even if they quaireled on
other matters. Secretary Sher-
man has been so long poIiti-
clan, and has seen the people
accept as vital political issues
the mcrest distractions that
put on an appearance of impor-
lance, that he seems to have
learned TO look with contempt
upon the Intelligence of the
average American. In his late
speech in Ohio is the most re-
markable instance on record of
reckless misstatement. A few
words will make it plain, and as
various newspapers of presumed
Intelligence have given fattcr-
ing currency to the deception it |
is time tie truth was stated. |
The Secretary said in substance
that about $64,000,0O0 belong
ing 10 the people remained in
the Treasury uncalled for; that
it drew no interest and was left |
in the Treasury vaults for safe
keeping, to be withdrawn when
ever profitable investments
could be found for it outside, or
the business Of the country de-
manded its use. 1t is true that
the money is in the Treasury,
and that it draws no interest,
and that il is uncallcd for. But
the assumption of the Secreta-
~ that it is voluntarily left
there, and his inference that
deuand for money would result
iiIthe withdrawalof the amount,
are absurd and false. This sum
is made up from various sour
ccs. First, from interest on
registered bonds, the owners
having failed through ignorance
or loss Of the bonds, TO call for
il. This accounts for nine mill
lions of The sixty-tour. Second,
from claims presented and set
tied, but not paid, the claimants
having died or having been
kept in ignorance of the settle
ment. This accounts for very
large portion of the whole a
mount.
In less than ca days the Secre-
tary could find the owners of all
these s64, 900, for be has in
his files the names Of the par.
ties to whom it was originally
due. and facilities for finding out
what change of ownership have
taken place through death, sale or
otherwise. He viii no. lied that
any of the amount is refused. In
ali ether civilized countries it is
the prime object Of the govern
ment to pay what it owes in small
sums 10 its own people. In this
country the policy is different,
and the boarding Of $64, 900, 900,
whish ought to be paid to its real
owners in the various States from
Maine 10 California, is proof,
net of surplus money in the
country, but of mean and VI
cious system Of dealing with lg-
norant and helpless people. 1t is
robbery. ,,ll
The influences to be brought to
hear on Congress for aid to the
'rcvas Pacific Railroad and for re-
pair Of the Mississippi leyees will