The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-04-16

| get out what they wanted: 1t never re-
covered from the decentralization of that
period. The treasury books are q mass
of erasions and insertions, and are totally
incomprehensible, except to an expert at
accounts. The simple fact is that the
hooks will not balance, and the only
thing 10 be done is to cover up the short
age by the cutie fish tactics of darkening
everything in the vicinity. The deter
animation to count the treasury funds Is
the surest indicatisn that the republicans
feel the endsis near. Judge Folger is
rieidly honest his position then may be
imagined when he found himself at the
head of the department, which is the
fountain of corruption. The treasury is
packed with John Sherman's followers
men whom Judge Folger distrusts and
dislikes. a. M
As is we'll known, nothing like the dis
sensions which are now prevailing be-
tween the treasury officials was ever
known before. Hitherto they have had a
secretary who winked at fraud and spec
ulation; now they have oae who not only
requires that his principal snbordinates
shall not steal, but that they shall not
allow their underlings TO steal. When
Judge Folger came to know the character
of the people by whom he was surround
ed he would unquestionably have dimiss-
ed them if he could, but his hands were
tied. The assistant secretary, Henry II.
French, is an example. Not six months
passes but some attempt to beat the gov
eminent on the part of this man does pot
come to light. Some time ago it was the
paying his son $t0a day for doing some
sculpture for the government when it
was known the son hired an italian for a
pittanoe to do the work Then it was
for establishing his relations in the treasu-
ry, not giving them places. but shameless.
ly making places for them according to
the revelations OF the chiefs in whose di-
visions they were. Then it was for send
ing bill of his expenses to the govern
ment for attending Ralph Waldo Emer-
sons funerals bill which Judge Folger
promptly disallowed Now is it to'be
supposed that an officer of Judge Folger's
rectitude would permit man of that
character TO remain in the assistant secre-
taryship of the treasury if he could help
il? But, unfortunately. he cannot help
it. He is surrounded on all sides by
them. There Is general complaint that
Judge Foiger attends too much to detail,
and both the capable and the incapable
the honest and the dishonest ameng his
Immediate subordinates are nettled ut it,
but from very different motives. The
ruth is, the secretary has had cause TO
distrust so many spersons that he can no
longer trust anybody. This counting of
the money in the treasury Is source of
much anxiety to him and he will not
1eaye Washington until it is complete. If
thereais defcitit. win be exposed by the
stern honesty of Judge Folger if he has
the power; but very likely the same collu-
sion that caused it has had time to cover
it, for the present at least, When the
democrats come in, then viii strange
things be discoyeredAbat the treasury
vampires don't care for that. After as
the delugc," say they.
1t is evident that when the national
debt is finally paid off the United States
will be found to be large gamer through
the distinctions and loss Of its paper
promises to pay. Every meath the debt
on which interest has ceased. and for
which no one claims payment, increases.
until there is now lying in the treasury
nearly eleven millions of unclaimed prinei
pal and interest, which has accrued at
various dates from 1887 and earlier down
to December %, 1882. OF the $40, 900,
900 of fractional paper currency issued
during and since the war $l5, $50. 512 are
SIN OUTSTANDING; and redemptions have
almost ceased. By act of congress passed
in 1879, IS ,375, 934, which it was est
mated had been destroyed, were declared
Cancelled and entered a. paid on the
treasury books "A mare correct estimate
Of the government gain fFbm this Source
would have been $15. 200. 900, or more
than thirty per cent of the amount issued.
The government gain onthe $346.oOO. 600
legal tender notes will doubtless be very
large, though much smaller percentage
than in the case of fractional currency,
where the wear and tear were very great.
Whether the government or the banks will /
eventually receive the benefit arising from
lost and destroyed bank currency is |
point not yet definitely determined, but it |
seems reasonable that for the currency |
lost while q the possession of thespeople |
he people themselves. through the gov
should receive what benefit shaIl4
finally accrue on account of this destruc-1
DunNn &