Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1884-02-21
Keifer,s Nepetism.

The spectacle of ex-Speaker Refer
appearing before q subcommittee of
the House Committee of Accounts to
answer charges affecting the abuse of
patronage placed in his hands, is very
sorry one, 10 say the least of it. That
man who had held, by the voice of
his party the second place of power in
the Government, should be arraigned
for abusing the trusts committed to his
keeping, is one of the peculiar incidents
which Republican views of politics
have brought to public notice. Here is
public character who has just received
the votes of his party colleagues in the
House for the office of Speaker sum-
moned to account for a transaction
which in body of high public spirit,
and with delicate sense of pubic
honor. would almost justify expulsion.
The thing charged against Keller was
the practice of nepotism in one of the
worst forms possible, making a.vacancy
simply to afford his nephew chance
to draw a large amount of money for
doing nothing. Abuses of public trusts
and prostitution of patronage to the
worst uses are not an uncommon thing
now. thanks to the continuance of
power in the hands of the Republican
party, but this fragrant case is the more
noticeable, because of the prominence
of the man who is charged with ia
prominence, much more owing to the
acts of the party with which the ex-
Speaker is identified, than from any
force of character or talent which he
may possess.
But. Mr.. Keifer ought not be too Sc
verely condemned, for he has learned
these things from his party, and he is
by no means the only man who has
profted by the lessons taught. 1t has
long been the custom for prominent Re-
publican politicians to take care of their
friends and relations at the public ex-
pense, and the paw rolls of the service
attest how faithfully they have attend
ed to this matter. 1t has become one
of the crying evils of our time, that the
places which should belong to the peo-
Pile are seized and held as the personal
perquisite of the man who may have
the power to carry out his designs in
this respect. The Senate as well as the
House afford many glaring examples
of this hoggishness, to use common
term, and notwithstanding the press
has denounced this evil practice time
and again. it goes on as If public
opinion was thing to be laughed at.
Men high in public place who would
scorn to do an undignifed thing, and
who have holy horror of the man who
for any cause tries to get at the public
purse, will yet, without the twitch of 3
muscle or twinge of conscience, saddle
upon the people personal relatives in
the most questionable manner, and SIM
ply because they have the power to do
it. Nothing could more fittingly illus
trate the shameless practice than just
this charge against Keller. 1t was most
unblushing and audacious use of per-
sonal privilege. and but for the disgrace
which might attach to the party which
made this possible, the ex-Speaker
would doubtless be roughly handled.
His position is, however, a pitiable one,
and if he has decent regard for pub
lie opinion, he must feel keenly the
sharp criticisms which his conduct has
secured for him.--American Register.