The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-10-04
OFFICIAL CORRUPTION.
DISHONEST MARSHALS AND DEPUTIES.


ON expenditures in the Department of Justice ex-
amined large number of witnesses relative to the
charges against the government made by United
States marshals, United States supervisors of cleo
tions and other officers appointed by connected
with the Department of Justice. A report based
upon the testimony taken has been made for sub
mission to- the House of Representatives upon the
reassembling of Congress. In making an observa-
ton OIL the appointment of United States officials
the report states
"a stream never rises above its source, and as long
those who possess the power of appointing these
officers have appreciation of the true dignity of
the public service, and regard the Offices only as
rewards to be bestowed upon their most unscrupu-
lous political allies, there is not much reason to
hope for any great improvement in the character of
our appointed officials" The report continues
1.-THE committee has not been able examine all of
the officials of the named, does it suppose
that all the fraudulent and wicked practices have
been discovered even in those portions of the coun-
try where the offices have been Investigated.
Enough has been developed, however, to give a
very good idea TO the general character of the
officers appointed and of their mode of conducting
the public business The testimony before the COM
mttee clearly shows that utter ineiciency and GRIM
inal practices have prevailed in many parts of this
branch of the public service for many years past,
and that the government has been heavy loser
thereby.
They have charged for arrests that were not made;
for travel that not performed for expenses that
were not incurred for guards that were not en-
ployed. They knowingly rendered false accounts
against the government; misappropriated public
funds; became defaulters to the government and to
the courts increased accounts after they were made
up made up accounts in the names of fictitious per-
sons arrested persons upon false charges worked up
hxfb nom axfOrtpd Driyata nifi-
zens, and in ways without number have swindled
the government and oppressed the people.
THE FEE SYSTEM.
Examinations from February 1, 1882 to January
!, 1854, by department examiners, show 265 cases
with dsallowances amounting to s3i1 sos. This sum
only shows the amount of illegal fees that have
been actually discovered in time to stop their pay
ment and no doubt is a small sum compared with
the amount that has been paid without objection.
When we consider the amounts of money that have
been unjustly taken from the treasury and the ty-
rannica bearing of these inscriptions officials, we
may well agree with the chief examiner in saying
that the abuses of the fee system not confined to
any district section of the country, but with
few notable exceptions, prevalent and so odious
that is not to be wondered at that deputy marsas
and deputy collectors of internal revenue have been
shot down as if they were theenemies of the people
Such systematic scheme of defrauding the public
and harassing the peaceable citizens of the country
is without any possible justification or excuse. 1t
does seem that if those high in position, and having
the appointing power, had made any reasonable eff
fort to secure honest and capable men, they would
have met with better success In fact is hard to
understand how any man, unless himself an expert
in these wicked practices and skilled in discrimi
mating between bad men, could have succeeded in
selecting so many disreputable public officials
PECULIAR CIVIL SERVICE RULES.
But the very peculiar ciyil-service rules adopted
in the appointment and promotion of this class of
officials will doubtless account for some of the bad
results.
Paul Strobach, who was appointed deputy mar
shall in Alabama in order that he might make the
government pay the expenses of his canvass as
candidate for Congress, rendered four accounts
against the government, every one containing false
charges.
THE REWARDS OF wRoNGDoING
He was promoted to the position of United States
marshal.
Mr. Wilson, who when his accounts deputy
marshal were being made, made violent and I'M
warranted assault upon the officer investigating
them, was afterwards honored with the position of
receiver of public moneys.
Mr. Bigham, who while deputy collector inter
fered in most unjustfable manner with the exam
liners of the Department of Justice and in the prose-
cution against officer trial for defrauding the
government was soon thereafter rewarded with the
position of collector of internal revenue for the
whole State.
Mr.. Jost, who as a deputy marshal was reported
to the Attorney General as having knowingly pre-
scented false and fictitious accounts afterwards
honored with the appointment of deputy collector
ofinternal revenue
In Texas, Mr. Russell, who was appointed United
States marshal had according to the testimony,
proved defulter to the State of Texas for over S3
100 which seems to have been his principal qualif-
cation for the office
With such system of selection and advancement
of officials it is not to be wondered at that the
country has been cursed with rulers whose least
heinous crime that of public plundering.
JUDGE CONCERTS REMARKABLE CASE
Probably the most remarkable of this way of re-
warding bad characters was that of Judge Conger
formerly associate justice Of the Territory OF
Montana Charges of such Il serious nature were
made against him that he suspended from office
by an order of the President March 20, 1888.
These charges were fully Investigated by an ex-
chief:justice of Dakota
sUNDAY-scHooI. AND STUD POKER.
lie reported among other things that in the spring
of 1880 Miles City, Judge Conger Sunday after
noon after having lectured TO the Sunday school
engaged with Others in playing at poker for money;
that he was frequently seen i'll public saloon where
gambling was going ON during day and night and
on Sunday, and himself playing stud" poker. or
percentage stud' and faro with professional gam
bers and Others for cigars, drinks and money; that
he attended public dance-houSe at night kept by
IL coored woman of bad reputation, where some
sixty persons were present and when pulled out on
the floor to dance by one Of the women, excused
himself and in order to make his excuse go down
treated her to drink.