Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-19
The NtoIenLodger.


book from the Treasurer's Office
Nashville and its subsequent return {
rather deposit where it would be r.
turned, was still a mystery and sui
ject OF discussion up to yesterda
afternoon, when man named Roland
Swain confessed that he stole th
ledger, and was paid $l75 b
Polk for bis services. All manner O
theories had been advanced, none 0
them altogether plausible or accepts
bic. This paper, the Memphis PUBLI
LEDGER, INDUCED in some sharp com
ments in regard to the notorious prac
tees which have disgraced the capita
and the name of Tennessee. These
applied to the guilty, OF course, anG
not any and everybody about Nash
vile or in Office. The World of Tues
day, in the course of a well wOrded
editorial, says;
But the fact that book has been
stolen or bill tempered with is no
ground for the wholesale deuunciation
OF Nashville and the capitol with
which our lively friend of the Mem
phis LEDGER INDUCES himself, in
speaking of the matter. The moral
atmosphere of this city is not so ter
rible as our neighbor imsgines. There
are circumstances OF an extraordinary
character. surrounding this matter
which drove some one to q desperate
resolve, and the facts simply show
that where danger was imminent the
individuals interested in the suppress
sion of the book took heroic measures
to get rid of it. Whoever it was
simply exhibits q marked example Of
deprsyity, and the circumstances do
not fall upon the whole city or the
whole capitol as showing that al in
them are incapable of any good. Yet
it is to be sincerely regretted by the
whole State that any person in il can
be found who was willing to be guilty
OF so high handed an outrage, the like
OF which has never been known in our
history. Under all the surroundings
time viii develop the whole matter
and that probably st an early day,
until which the public will be on the
qui vive to learn every particular in
the affair.
1t does not follow because rings have
eonspired and raseAls fattened under
the caves of the Csritol sad in its
accessible committee rooms aud corri>
dors that all Nashville is corrupt and
implicated; but it mAy be said that
community which is benefited By the
presence Of lobbyists who, in the
course Of q single session Of the Leg
islsture, spend large sums of money
10 a legitimate way, becomes indifer-
ent, and that local tools are found 10
such a place rather than imported L.
is 50 in Washington, and more or less
the case in ali Stste capitals. Parties
may come aud parties may go, but the
hsDgers-on, ready to do soy sort of
dirty work for a consideration, re-
main forever. This sort of an element
may be small, but it is loud
and potent for evil and expert 10 vii.
famous practices. One bold man with
money to spend in the passage or de-
feat of bill, may debauch hundred
others for a mere triAe, while still
larger mob hangs around anxiously
awaiting the time when the "rav-
ishing will begin" There are thous-
andS Of good, refined, incorrupdble
Christian people in Nashville, but
right in their midst have hourished
and operated, and de6ed decency,
some Of the sleekest raseals that the
country has produced, men that could
make any of the old carpetbsg gang Of
1866 to 1870 feel like barefooted
youngsters at a frOlic without an
invitation. The word has gone out; they
have to go, The people have SO ordered
it. Some have only the smell of FIRE
Ia their garments; some are badly
scOrched; one or two may yet go TO the
penitentiary, where dozens Of them
ought to be. The most fragrant
abuses have been discovered and
checked if not punished. The iudR.
ment of an outraged, indignant people
has been pronounced. and whether the
logical penalty is carried into effect or
not, the moral effect will be almost or
quite the same. There is disposition
to hold public officials to a rigid
accountability which will not be
relaxed in the present generation.
There is plenty of honesty and man,
hood 10 Nashville, city Of which. in
many respects, we are all proud, and
al over Tennessee to drive out the
rascalS" regardless of politics or social
position OF money placed where it will
do the most good. Every discovery Of
rascaIity in high places and eyery
technically raised ia court to defeat
the ends Of justice aFousss public
sentiment the more, and, as Il we're
puts a whip into every honest mans
hand to lash the raseals around the
world.
TEE Polk trial is relieved of it.
ghsstly solemnity sometimes by a
0leam of humor whiob mpst ho 60,