Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1879-01-24
A COMPARISON.

A COMPARISON.
Republic;
WHEN our country was but a shelving strip,
Black with the storms that made it free'
such phenomenon as a public man acquiring
fortune was unknown. It is true that these
functionaries were not paid the prineely sums
that are now dIsbursed, hut no one believes
chat with the strict honesty practised by the
fathers the latter-day statesmen could hay up
enormous fortunes in the course of a dozen or
twenty years of official life Neither Wash
iugton nor the elder Adams added to their for
tunes by money received from the public treas
ury. Jefferson, who was twice President and
who possessed q magnificent estate, was so
poor in his latter days that he was forced to
sell his valuable library to obtain the means
Of his support for his declining years. James
Monroe, for eight years Chief Magistrate, was
90 poor after his retirement that he was taken
to New York and supported by his son-in-law
These men lived at time when new territory
was constantly being added to the National
domain and settled upon, thus affording ample
opportunities for acquiring immense fort unes
by speculation. Clay, Webster and Calhoun,
the famous triumvirate OF later generation,
spent their lives in the public service and went
to their graves rich in honor, but poor in this
worlds goods. The golden opportunities
that they had COR using official position,
patronage and knowledge to line their pock-
cts with money and to pile up stacks of gov
eminent securities were passed UNDECIDED and
unnoticed.
But "look on this picture" In our day
the medel statesman oftimes INDUCES in every
costly style of living, and yet on a sal
sry that scarcely suffices TO pay the expenses
OF his luxurious habits he in the course of his
public career becomes wealthy nabob. Dom
Piats says that when John Sherman, the pres
ent Secretary Of the Treasury, made his race
for the speakership OF the House twenty years
was borrowing money to defray the expenses
Of his canvassing; TO day he is a millionaire,
and has accumulated his fortune upon sala-
ry Of SIS, 900 year. Though Webster was a
leading and successful lawyer, receiving from
his practice princey income, yet Sherman far
surpasses Webster in getting together filthy
lucre. II will not do TO explain the difference
IN the fortunes Of the TWO by pleading Web
sier's extravaganza of taste, for Sherman, too,
delights in the good things of this life, and is
first election to the Senate. Hon. Roscoe
Conkling in the Senate, only a few days ago.
put some thrusting and insinuating remarks
st Mr.. sherman as to the manner in which he
acquired this fortune but 1t had as much effect
upon his rhienoceros sensibilities as the burn !
Ing Of lucifer match would have on polar |
iceberg.
Gen. Belknap, who was Grants chief of |
staf and later Secretary Of War, was gather
inc q large fortune, issuing cards of entree
into the high courts OF society upon an in
come OF 49, 900 per year, and but for detection |
Of malfeasance whilst n Office would to-day |
be basking in luxurious ease amid the SPLEEN |
dor Of some Foreign Court whilst clipping his |
coupons from government bonds. Gen Bah |
cock with an officers pay, whilst the conf |
Dental advisor and private Secretary of Gen. |
Grant, and acting Commissioner of Public |
Grounds and Buildings, made large fortune
and to-day has fine rows of buildings in
Washington, to say nothing Of his private
securities Of which we know of.
Blaine, who is ever Industrious in searching
for the mote 10 the eye of some one or the
other, entered Congress fifteen years ago poor
man and to-day is rich, all on SIS, 900 year
now be Is worth SIS, 900, where Gid the money
come from7 let the Mulligan letters and
Oaks Ames memoranda speak. These men
who thus acquire fortunes in a few years are
no more gifted or better financiers than the
great men of the past. No, they are only less
honest and practice The "ways that are dark"
aud put their votes where they will do the
most good.
Judge Thurman made a telling point when
he alluded to the corrupt use Of money IN
ssntroling elections and debauching legis-
htion and public sentiment. If man pro-
cures his promotion by his corrupt use Of
money he will be very apt to embrace the
FIST chance to get il back. Rome fell from
the giddy heigih Of her splendor when she
suffered the highest place TO be bought for
gold and the patriotism Of Athens persisted
when her Commissioners sacrificed justice TO
the bid OF Philip OF Macedon.
That the highest positions In the land are
being purchased is a melancholy fact as 1t is
a burning criticism upon our Republican form
of government which, we have been sounding
In the ears of the world for more than CEN
fury, rests upon the virtue, intelligence and
honesty Of the people. 1t is in striking con-
trasl with the purity and lives Of these splendid
characters who devoted their best days for
The public good aud left record without
stain aud above reproach.
The Frederick Caisen of last week says,
"The Hon. A. T.. German, SO prominently
connected with the politics of Maryland and
for some time past President of the Chesapeake
aud Ohio Canal, announces his intention to
retire from the Canal. Il has been the gen.
eral impression OF our people that the man.
agement Of the Canal entered extensively in
the control Of State politics, aud in order that
there should be no complications arising in
the present fight, Mr.. German has decided TO
retire from the position he has filled with such
signal ability for the past eight or nine years.
X has been currently reported that Mr.. Cor