Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-11-05
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EXAMINE THEM ALL.
IRON the St. Louis alobe-Democrat.1

Misery loves company. Senator
Sherman hRs no intention that the
contingent fund over which he pre-
sided as secretary Of the treasury
shall be subjected alone to the ordeal
Of investigation. He has submitted
q resolution to the senate, which has
been adopted, providing for the close
scrutiny of the disposition of the
contingent funds of all the depart
ments. 1t is beyond question that
there are many necessary expendi-
lures OF q diversified nature in the
conduct of q department which can
not we'll be provided for by specific
appropriations. Such u provision
would involve an almost endless de-
tail, and then some little things,
which could not we'll be dispensed
with, would be very sure to be omit
ted. Some margin must he given
for contingencies, and some conf
dence must be placed i'll official hon
esty. The official intellect is liable
not to be very clear in the matter Of
contingent expenses, aud there are
things about which there may be 9
reasonable doubt. It is therefore we'll
to remove this doubt aslar as posi-
BILE. It should be understood, for in
stance, that cigars, by no legitimate
method of. CONSTRUCTION, a be classed
as penholders, and that lunches can
not lawfully be charged up as sperm
candles. ,
There is also q distinct improperly
in paying for the same thing several
times over. Misapprehenslon, 1t
seems, have been entertained upon
these aud some other points ip the
treasury department., aud it is not
unusual to suppose that, if the facts
were fully brought to light, the same
ignorance would be discovered III the
other departments. The necessity
for watchfulness, in the matter of the
treasury contingent fund, was not
long since practically acknowledged
by the appojntment-of . custodian.
It was probably that if any u per-
sou made it his especial duty to take
charge of the contingent expenses, he
would gradually become an expert in
determining what they ought to be.
aud would take measures according
ly. But the experiment was a failure.
The custodian appointed o became
al those who had hitherto only de-
voted q part Of their time to it. 1t
was found that the contingent fund
would Last longer without a custodian
than with one, and the Office was
wisely abolished.
The habit of clerical or official
sponging on Sthe government in
creases by degrees. The boldiact Of
charging up lunches as sperm candles
argues q long course of preparation
and o or less COLLISION. The
men who became SO hardened as to
engage in this iniqnity, probably
commenced by cribbing stationery
aud postage stamps-ltems which
many Ssutordinates regard as almost
honest perquisites. Where the same
set of men are steadily employed this
kind of thing grows, unless it is
periodically checked, until the drafts
npon the contingent fund excite sus-
picion. 1t makes no difference what
party some men belong to, or what
church, their moral nature will be-
come obtuse in the matter of perqui-
sites after repeated temptation and in
the absence Of checEs. They, per-
haps, will not take what they think
does not belong to them; but they
get to thinking that things belong to
them which do not. Frequent in
vestigations would do much toward
correcting the growth of this evil in
the departments. as we'll as in other
places-such as state and municipal
offices Of various kinds. This is
taking moderate view Of the abuses
of the treasury contingent fund, some
OF which reach the dignity of direct
and indisputable theft. Lot thorough
examination be made, as Senator
Sherman desires. The probability is
that a number Of small leaks can be
stopped. If some of the Washington
shop-keepers could be induced, out
of consideration for their eternal
welfare, to reform and tell all they
know about the contingent funds,
much valuable light would be thrown
upon the subject.
1t may seem to the officials inter-
ested sthatit js . email business for so
august q Ebodyz as the senate Of the
United States to pay any attention to
small matters; but the fact that
they are not paid attention to renders
irregularities possible and long
continued. A periodical overhauling
OF accounts, and the prompt dismissal
and punishment of the Offenders.
would have a wonderful effect in
clearing the official atmosphere. and
intoxicating Intelligence as to meum
ct tWuns.