The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1879-03-13
From the N. Y. SUM-
A QUESTION OF SOME MOMENT

Houses of Congress is whether the
will agree to strike out those
sections of the Revised Statutes
which relate to the appointment and
of Supervisors Of elections,
md an unlimited supply of Deputy
to aid them. The original
legislation was partisan, and its en-
has been offensive and
enormously costly. 1t was forced
upon an appropriation bill, as there
peal is now proposed TO be DONE SO
that the form denounced as Vicious
by those who originated it has re-
turned to plague the inventor.
The Treasury accounts tells the
story about these Supervisors and
their subordinates in q way that the
plain people can understand far bet
ter than by arguments, however elo-
queut and powerful, because they
touch every taxpayers pocket, and
by that ready method quicken his
intelligence remarkably. In 1876
there were 1858 Supervisors andl1,-
Clio Deputy Marshals employed in
twenty-three States, of which fifteen
we're Southern, at a cost of S276. 600
in round numbers. In this State l.
ITO Supervisors and 1865 Deputy
Marshals were employed, at an ex-
pense of $156, 900.
Vat the Congressional elections last
fall the operation of this political
machinery was confined chiefly to
particular localities and to doubtful
districts. No effort was relaxed in
this State, for there were 1858 Su-
pervisors and 2,3O8 Deputy Mar
shals, costing $110,360,2 %. Alto
gether, the expense was $202, 291, 90,
as far as returned. But the official
statement shows that the 'Chief Su-
pervisor's accounts in Northern and
Southern New York" had not been
sent to the department, and that
those of New jersey, Eastern New
York end Pennsylvania, had not
been fully adjusted" Whether the
figures were conveniently kept back
or not, there is no doubt but the to-
tails will exceed those of 1876 as they
stand reported.
Here, then, is the proof conclusive
that a campaign fund Of more than
a quarter of a million, with thou
sands of active and Inscriptions
partisans to expend it for the advan-
tage of one side, is drawn from the
Treasury every second year, to elect
Republican members Of Congress,
and every fourth year to aidthe cleo
tion of q Republican President, and,
in case of failure at the polls.tQ help
him into the White House by shame
less, unblushing fraud. The effect
of such a system must be demoraliz-
ing, and it drags the judiciary into
the active conflicts of politics, be-
cause the Judges Of the Circuit
Courts appoint the Supervisors, but
have nothing to do with tie Deputy
Marshals.
Mr.. Devens has gone as far as Ian
daulet Williams ever did in convert.
ing this patronage into a huge polit
zeal agency. Ifhe has any scruples
they have yet to be exhibited. He
has responded to every call made
upon him by, the party managers
and volunteered to go even beyond
their acquisitions. To-day the Fed
eral Courts, disgraced by Judges
like Bond, Billings and Settle, are
%perverting the forms Of law into bit
ter persecution for mere politica'
gain. The inspiration of this policy
comes from the so-called Department
Of Justice.
A back bill for a round quarter Q.
a million, on account of Supervisor
and Deputy Marshals, was presented
in the Senate at the instance Of Mr.
Devens, to be added to the deficiency
bill which the House had sent their
only a few days ago. He resorted t.
that roundabout method because tn,
Committee on Appropriations hat
demanded the items of that large &C
count, and he could not furnish then
satisfactorily. The Congressional
election in California is the only on
to occur this year, and Mr.. Devon
asks an appropriation of twenty
thousand dollars for Supervisors ant
Marshals. In 1876 California wa
carried by a fraud hardly less revolt
ing than that practiced in Louisiana
and the Deputy Marshals played
conspicuous part in that iniquity
They averaged from $75 to$175 eacI
for services on that occasion, an,
Mr.. Devens will not hesitate to re
peat that outrage if the House b
weak enough to grant him the mol
ey.
Fair and free elections cannot b
had while this Federal machinery i
intruded into the States, and hun
dreds of thousands are annually vet
cd to grease the wheels and to kee
partisan engineers at work. The Re
publicans have been doing this fo
the last eight or ten years; and
the Democrats should succeed t
power they would doubtless walk i
the footsteps of their illustrous pre-
decessors, just as they have bee
prompt to learn and to employ tn
sharp practices of their opponents i
other respects. All those of the pee
pie who are not mere partisans ar
against any such corruption fund.
robson AND HIS PLUMBER.
The veil which covered Robson
administration has long since bee
removed. He vas for eight year
Secretary of the Navy, and in thi
period expended money to the exten
of $182,496,033 At the same tim
he sold material to the amount O
500, 000, 900. This makes togethe
in round numbers $2S2, 000. 900, o
~ IL noS Don Onn WL.,