The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-17

The Washington Ring Bonds.
Aftor the investigation of 1874, which un-
covered in an official form, through a joint
committee OF Congress, tho enormous
frauds and corruption OF the Ring Govern
ment ut Washington, an act was passed
authorizing the First and Second Comp
trollcrs OF the Treasury to audit all out
standing claims against the District Of Co
lumbia, and to issue 1865 bonds in payment
thereof. 1t was supposed the experience
and character of these officials would pro-
tcct the community against further outrage
and plumber, and subject the claims TO the
severest scrutiny known to the usages Of
the Treasury.
Experience soon proved the error Of this
confidence. which was betrayed in the most
shameful manner. The claims were vir-
tually audited by the clerks and creatures
Of Boss SHFpHERp, who were retained in
Office undcr the experimental Commission
then created. and who still occupy nearly
all the places of trust under the present
Commission authorized at the last session.
These Comptrollcrs did little more, after
short time, than TO sign their names to ac-
counts. many of which were monstrous inn
positions, cooked up by the Ring comhina-
tinn. and passed by their subordinatos.
In this way debt Of Sl3.7i3,2jO was piled
up in 3.Gj bonds alone, independent Of other
obligations The outrageous frauds in
! auditing the claims soon became known.
! but there was no remedy except a long aud
! unprumisiug litigation in the courts, or
new investigation by Congress. to undo
what it had authorized to be done, in order to
clear away the rubbish and rascallty Of the
Ring Government. and TO give the plum
dcrcd people new start. or course Con-
grcss was indisposed TO review its own
work, and no action was taken there.
The bonds wcre however. tainted with
distrust, and had to struggle hard for
footing in the money markets. They were
bought up III large quantities within the
past year or two at low prices, and then
combination was formed to get them
recognized by Congress in such a way
that they should become national
security 1t would not do TO make
naked proposition like this, because the
story would Toe told on its face. Con-
cealmcnt Of the real motive was indis-
pcnsable to success. Therefore n scheme
was devised last winter to establish IA per-
manent form of government for the District
~ Noiu'h"n 'H' mann "''''' VI wan, WI
Vno part Oh Us Pi"J'V'ois' was ~ '''i'""01
l"c N"luo VI V.'o h'"s pu','9' Inv? i'u''
uheNp'eueu u'l''u'tS III 'io 'ol'''i''..'o Va
'n' Dl7''l't vi '''"'i"'" Va WV i''"7',
'''"7'
! IN" H'H'"cl9 oh u"ln 7l"'7' h"l hl"llS
the hlIl to establish a permanent govern
| mnut in the District PASSED the House ON
! ,bo III ~ Tupn nul contained tho f,ll,Uin,,
|
That until otherwise provided by law. the Secretary
:" ',' 'n',' pa' W, ~" Wv
,pre and the amounts 80 pa,i .hau be credited as mart
of the Appropriation tor the year by The United states
toward the expenses Of the pi'reta as herein provided
i,,'' "l nou'',s ia M, ''' s'a ,' YOU
,,, on tho nart of tho United state. In nav the pr,nr,
pal said bonds otherwise than provided the
enth section OF the act OF Congress entitled An act for
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yt..on, tai,rrnt
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