Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-29

One becomes weary and disheartened
under the weight and gloom Of ever re-
curing discovery of new frauds, now
so common as to surprise nobody. Men
we thought honest in private life become
thieves in public Office, and thousands
who sanctimoniously worship at the altar
of Divine Purity 60 forth from their
pews daily to renew the greedy struggle
Looking above the heads of the audi
ence, and viewing only the actors on the
stage-those who speak the pieces aud
collect the fare-we see nothing but all
absorbing greed for power and pelf-a
pushing and shoving-a desperate strife
to ill the Unsuitable nav OF svarlce.
The latest new discovery in the domain
Of fraud is that of the bank returns to
the Internal Revenue Department. 1t
seems that the international Bank at
Chicago in March last, owing to certain
complications IN its affairs, was obliged
to withdraw from the clearing house IN
that city and publish statement OF
its assets. This statement exhibited
discrepancies so glaring when compared
with that previously made at the Inter
nal Revenue Office, that the Collector III
stituted investigation and recovered
$4S. 900 delinquent taxes. A general IN
ouiry into the returns Of Chicago banks,
not national, followed, and 100000
more recovered, while further sum OF
$500, 900 is expected to result from suits
now pending. Investigations have been
ordered in New York, Philadelphia and
other cities, and it is probable that the
country will soon be entertained with
the details of another system Of frauds,
second in magnitude only to the gigan-
tic Credit Mobilier Commenting upon
this new discovery, the Washington Post
ably and justly remarks
The exposure of this new system OF
frauds on the government furnishes tood
for reflection. In the first place, il is
striking commentary on the selhshness
and greed of the moneyed interests OF
country.
"In all times Of political excitement
the CRY has gone up that capital must be
protected. and under this watchword the
conservative vote Of the country has been
marshaled. never TO fail of success in
crushing out any movement that called
for q change which might at all disturb
capital
Tnder this national wardeuship CAPT
tai has grown and hOurished, yet every
now and then some disclosure like this IS
made which shows that out of gratitude
for past and present favors capital is
Systematically robbing the government.
again, the fact that these frauds can
only be committed by accompanying
them with perjury on the part OF men
who have a high standing ia business
circles. shows how little reliance can be
placed on eminent responsibility when 1t
is a question simply of a false oath to
cheat the government out OF few
hundreds or thousands, as the case may
be-
Lastly, it shows the necessity that
exists for a rigid enforcement Of most
stringent laws with regard to the inspec.
ton Of the accounts Of these institutions
with the government. This exposure,
as well as others IN other departments Of
business, has shown that where these
laws are relaxed, 'doctored statements
creep in. are sworn to- and the govern
ment is the loser. If capital is to be
protected, the government should pro
tect itself against the dishonesty OF
capital.