The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-06-25
BY DIM CANDLE LIGHT,

BY DIM CANDLE LIGHT,
! Conkling has SAID something about "scna-
torial courtesy" as having to do with the eX'
ecutIve appointments for the different states
There appears TO be another meaning attach.
ed to the phrase, to the effect that it is viola
tlon of senatorial courtesy" for the senate to
take part in any investigation that may i'm.
peach the honesty or integrity of its own
members. Extending the idea, there appears
also to have grown out of it what is known as
the courtesy of the departments" so that no
cabiae, officer will permit any investigation
to be prosecuted in his department that tends
in its results to impcach the character of his
predecessor in Office or the head of any other
department.
count of this last named courtesy that MIR
Window has suddenly put a stop to the inves
hgation which he had commenced week ago
with such rich promise of results into the
corrupt waste of the contingent fund of the
L. ). Treasury department, He commenced
the inquiry with the utmost eagerness, but
had gone but little way when he found him.
self in the predicament of the California hunt.
er who followed the trail of the grizzley bear
until it began to get "too derned fresh"
Pitney had bought file hooks, candles, car,
pets furniture, and numerous other supplies
tor the treasury department for which there
was no need and which in fact were never de.
livered. and was thereupon called to sudden
account. But when he began to tell his story
1t was found he knew vast deal too much,
and he was suddenly told to dry up. Who Is
Ptney? Before Sherman entered Hayes's
cabinet Pitney was employed as his agent TO
look after his numerous buildings IN Washing
ton, keep them IN repair, see to their renting
and collecting the rents, &c When Sherman
entered the cabinet he found at his disposal a
few thousand dollars a year as the treasury
contingent fund. BY law this fund was in
charge OF the chief clerk, who kept the ac
counts showing how twas expended. Sher.
man had 1t increased from about $4,000 a
year to Sl25,OOO, and appointed his agent Pit
my 10 10 Suoeotiah, "itHoul autuOlIl| vi law,
paying him a handsome salary, so as to relieve
himself from paying Pltney as his own serv-
ant Sherman's numerous houses needed con.
slant repairs, refurnishng, painting, papering,
&c. SO much of Mr.. Windom's investigation
of Pitney has leaked out as to show that me-
chanics in the employ of the government
were without scruple put upon Shermans
houses to repair, paint and paper them, their
wages and the material used being paid for
out OF the contingent fund With this lead,
of course 1t was easy to follow up the missing
carpets, &c, &c, that Pltney had
paid for as treasury supplies, but which were
never seen at the treasury building. But when
Pitncy was more closely questioned In regard
% these things he refused to answer, because"
ne said, "it would affect his superiors in of
ice" Who were these superiors? First, Mr.
Upton, by whom all Pltney's accounts had to
DC endorsed, who was really responsible for
hem and who of course knew all about what
he was dong; and secondly, John Sherman,
o whom the law required Mr.. Upton to make
egular reports.
But when the investigation reached this
'olnt, Sherman comes forward and pleads "de-
'artment courtesy" complaining that the
'dmistratloE was seeking to smrch his char
cter by exposing secrets which should have
,cen concealed. SO Window at once shut
lown on the inquiry and refuses to allow
lis investigators to publish their report and
he relations with John Sherman are once
more lovely SO that he eulogises Window in
he OHIO convention as prodigy among finan.
ers and one especially to be proud of as ian
ohio boy"
And so the whole business ends with this
me dim candlellght glimpse at the rottonness
md the dismissal of poor Pitney the mere I'M
erstrapper of the rest and In reality without
my responsibility IN the matter.
But will the country be satisfied with this
nding' Will the next house of representa-
ives be permitted TO let senatorial" and de
'artmental courtesy" cover up this mine of
corruption, that involves the waste of half
million of dollars tn less than four years, and
he utter decentralization and befoulment of,
,eSt to the executive, the most important de-
'artment of the government
The announcement is made of the discovery