Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-12-17
REruBLloAN nEroRm.

There is always much talk Of re-
form within the Republican party,
but the country waits and looks in
vain for any evidence OF this de-
wished for reformation.
Certainly recent developments at
Washington during the past few
year do not give rise to any very
great hopes that a party which has
beetn wenty years in power will now
begin the herculean task OF REFORM
ing itself, or of correcting thefright-
full abuses which have crept into the
government under its management.
What has this pious party of great
moral ideas recently done4c encour-
age any such halcyon hope. One OF
its staunch supporters stalwarto of
the staIwarts-has foulIy murdered
the Chief Magistrate of the country
and plunged the Natitn in sorrow
and unhappiqess AMI for many
months kept its business interests
in a feverish and uns'ettled state.
Gigantic frauds, peculations and
thieveries have been unearthed and
so far their perpetrators have gone
unwhipped of justice.
The Treasury investigation has
come to naught. When the scent
got fresh and warm about the heels
of Influential and powerful men,
the Investigation was checked and
from present indications is not like
ly TO be renewed.
The Star-route thievesare running
at large and chuck1ing in their
sleeves at the feeble attempts of this
mighty Government to convict and
punish them. Instead of being
prosecuted to the full extent of the
law, convicted and forced to dis
gorge their stupenduOus stealings,
they are defiant and arrogant and
are reported to be considering what
eOndign punishment they shall in
fiict upon those who presumed to
investigate and expose them. AS
they are strong and powerful party |
men, rich with ill-gotten gains and
backed by an immense army of SER
vile and dependent henchmen,
whom they have completely at |
their beck and call, of course, their
influence is great and they are not |
to be estranged from the party.
They must be dealt with lightly |
and mildly chided for their sins.
They are known to be thieves and
robbers Of the Government but |
they are within the party, and help |
the party in its continuation of PRIV
er and therefore the party cannot
afford to offend them. Besides they
have got the money now, and no
body has missed it or been hurt
by II much, and if they are exposed
itmight do theparty more harm than
good. They fantied up' literally
from their stealings in last years
and did much necessary
dirty work for the party, and they
may need their services again.
These are a few of the persuasive
the party of great moral
ideas is rOtslow to comprehend and
and consequently any re-
form within the party is an empty
delusion and a dream. 1t will ne 4
yer come. Look at the prospect be-
fore us for it. They now have err r
of Congress and what are
the reports that come from Wash
ingtOn, Corruption and extrava-
gance is already beginning to rear
its hXdra.head. "There is said to
be q larger gathering of lobbyists
there than for many years past and
it IS believed this session of Congress
win be distinguished for the great
number of colossal jobs that
will be brought before it," Here
we havean evidence of what we
may expect from their promises of
reform. The lobbyists and rings
which-disappeared under Randall
are assembling again in grand force
and will soon make themselves re-
spected as in the fat days of Grant.