The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-06-02
Extravagancs in the Department Of

Extrayagance IN the Department Of
Justice.
The report which has been made in
response to the Senate resolution calling
for the names of special or assistant at
torneys appointed by Attorney General
Brewster and the amounts paid them is
full of interest for taxpayers. Under
the resolution no figures were called for
prior to January l. 1882, but in view Of
the figures given since that date tits not
difficult to form an idea as to the ex-
travagance of the preceding year.
The report shows that George Bliss,
of New York, received from May rs,
1882, to January 10, 1883, for services
in the Star-Route cases, $3.50 This
was exclusive of expenses, board,
railroad fare, etc." 1t was exclusive
also of $1,000 paid on the first naraed
date for services prior thereto. 1t was
simply for less than eight months of
not continuous service as an attorney in
the cases referred to, and as an assist
ant at that. Something like $1,000 a
month is what the bill amounts to, and
a very tidy compensation it is for law
yer Of Mr.. Bliss standing. II is almost
as exorbitant . bill as that presented by
Mr.. Bliss namesake, the Doctor, for his
services in treating a pus-pocket. The
lawyer, however, succeeded better than
the Doctor The latter had Congress
to deal with. The lawyer only had
Brewster, Attorney General.
|, Mr.. Ker, of Philadelphia, seems also
a. 4 -, r. a ~ <xsc ,orocs
ty with the public money. During the
year 1882 he received q little over &c.,
! coo for services as attorney in the South
Carolina election and Star-Route cases,
some $3.50 of the amount being for ex-
penses. board and railroad fare. X. T..
Merrick gathered in $50, 900 from the
same source during the same period,
and III. H. Wells, who formerly prac-
ticed law in Detroit, gathered in a lit
tie less than $500 on similar &C
count a.
The total expenses for extra legal
services in the Star-Route cases during
1882 amounted to more than $40, 900.
II the expense were necessary OF
proper one the country would not
grudge it in such cause, though in the
best possible outcome it is ssending
good money after bad But who be-
lieves that the enormous expense is
necessary or. that it. would be made il
Brewster were not thoroughly imbued
with the milch-cow'' theory Of govern
ment?
Not only does tho report show this
|. needless extravaganza in Washington
and the Star Ronte cases, but in many
!, other places and in all sorts of cases.
Business which should be attended to by
the paid attorneys Of the Governments
farmed out to assistants. In Mississip.
pi, Chalmers, the notorious, gets $500,
and that for services in his own Elec-
ton case. In Alabama an assistant at
torney gets 81, 50Oi Election cases in
which the Government is nowise inter.
ested. Even in Detroit, where the Gov.
eminent interests are in the hands of q
thoroughly capable eattorney, we find
one fee of 800. paid for outside assist
ance in case which was settled by
compromise And all over the country
there. are similar cases of wholly un-
justifiable and reckless expenditure o.
the public money.
In the ordinary course of things, nc
reform is to be expected in this matter
-until Congress meets. Bat when Con.
gress does meet, something should b.
done to prevent a continuance of ths
| gross abuse disclosed by this report.
| Detroit Free Press.