The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-10
WHERE DO THE FUNDS COME FR0M7

Apropos of the political crusade the admin
istration is carrying on against the Democrats
Of Louisiana, 1t has occurred to us that q very
pertinent inquiry might be made as to the
source from which the money comes that Is
necessary to the conducting OF these costly
proceedings, and without which they could
not possibly go on.
1t is a notorious fact that the appropriation
for the last fiscal year of So, 10000 for the
Department Of Justice has been expended,
and that there has already been most scan
dalous misrepresentation OF funds set aside by
Congress for specific purposes.
Mr.. Devens. in his report as Attorney Gen
eral, stated that the fund at his command
was entirely inadequate for the purposes OF
the schemes his department was required to
carry out, and he had the effrontery to tell
Congress what these schemes were and ask
for deficiency fund to enable him to go on
with his prosecutions. He stated, In words
and figures, that he could not proceed with the
systematized persecution the administration
had confided to him without such fund.
But this is not all-Mr. Hayes, In his message
to Congress, made the same assertion. In
that document he said:
1t is to be observed that the principal appro-
priation made for the Department OF Justice at
the last session contained the following clause:
And for defraying the expenses which may be-
incurred In the enforcement OF the act approved
February % 5sIl entitled Ar act to amend an
force the rights OF citizens OF the United States
to vote In the several States Of the Union. and
fer other purp9ses or a1g ge acts amendatory
1t is the opinion of the Attorney General that
the expenses of these proceedings will largely
and rely confidently upon Congress- to make
adequate appropriations to enable the execu-
tive department to enforce the laws
It is well assured fact that Congress has
not responded to this appeal, and that 1t will
not do 30. Whence does the money come
then, to defray the enormous expenses OF the
government In carrying on the vast system
OF intimidation that has been inaugurated In
this State2 Who pays the court fees, the dis
trict attorneys fees the travelling expenses Of
marshals, prisoners and witnesses, incurred
In this inquisition against whole people !?
The Attorney General and the President both
say there is no fund In the treasury to cover
any such costs. They both confess this
and ask for a deficiency fund "to enable the
executive department to enforce the laws"
knowing full well when they asked 1t that
1t would never be forthcoming. These
proceedings can't go on without money.
Steamboat and railroad fares must be paid In
cash, and citizens OF remote parishes cannot
be brought here, whether as prisoners or wit
nesses, except on a cash basis. The appro-
priation has been exhausted. and yet the cru
SADIE goes on. How can this be? 1t Is not
probable that the executive and judicial ma
chinery of the government have been placed
at the disposal of the Republican Congress
sional Campaign Committee, and that the ex-
penses of this Infamous system Of intimida-
ton are paid out of the party campaign fund?
These are questions to engage the attention
Of Congress, and which should be investi-
gated and explained to the country. In the
face OF the Acknowledgements made by
Devens and Hayes, what the country wants
to know Is where the money comes from to
defray the expenses OF the partisan persecu-
ton that Is being carried on against the Dem
ocratic party in this State.