The Evening critic., 1884-03-13
squanderinr tho peoples Money.

To-dAy's Post.
The star-Route investigation by the Springer
committee has refreshed tho publlc's memory
as to numerous Interesting and important
facts. II Il has not developed much that Is
new, II has thrown new light on things that
were known or suspected, and has m1de the
masses familiar with facts to which the
greatest degree OF publicity had not previously
be given.
I'm the prosecution OF the Star.Route defend.
ants should be paraded before the public gaze
on all fitting occasions. We assert that tho
money was thrown away-was not reasonably
or judiciously expended-for theee reasons; ;
Fret convictions OF the chief defendants wero
not reached or even npproximated. Second,
there was no good reason 10 expect convictions
on tho charge preferred; and, third, tho
amounts paid out were vastly In excess OF what
would have been required had there been
falr chance OF success.
Most OF tho men who do the voting and pay
tho taxes In this country are poor men, earn.
Ing less than two dollars n day. II they can
support thoir families and lay by one or two
hundred dollars n year they arc regarded as
exceptionally fortunate. More than half OF
these w0rkingmen have all they can do 70
mako q decent living for themselves and those
dependent on them. They are compelled to
forego luxufles OF every Kind and to 1.-Two very
frugally In order to keep oven with tho world.
Out OF the scant earnings OF such cltiz )ns
the means are gathered, by n system OF taxa.
tlon that IL little better than robbery, TO pay
such billsas wore presented by and paid to
Route prosecutions. And let It be remem.
bered that tho gentlemen were special coun
sel-extra aids TO Department that Is sup.
posed to be always fully equipped with legal
| talent.
The wages OF the worklngmen of Phlladel.
| phla average 81 10 por day. But phlladel.
phia lawyer, unknown TO fame, was paid At
tho rate OF $3.50 n day for about eight months;
was paid $4,000 for preparing indictments,
one OF which was found to be worthless, and
had TO bo replaced by better work.
Men who live by honest toll, and pay taxes
on all that they eat, or wear, or In any way
tho fact that tho total amount for Mr.. Bliss'
services, Including salary and personal OK
penses, Is S57, 1925, an average OF something
over $3.50 day for salary, and over $40 day
for personal expenses.
Almost $3.50, 900 wero paid for special coun.
sci In this city, and this Is but ono item In the
costs OF those prosecutions. Lot tho working
men OF the country contemplate these facts
and figures and remember that the money
| was absolutely wasted-as effectually waited
| ne II would havo been had It been takon Into
| tho streets ana handed out In packages to
pHesers.Dy.
Had the Government eScrtod Itself TO re-
| cover tho millions which It charged that tho
Star. Route defendants had stolen, there might
| have been somo excuse for n portion OF tho
| tremendous outlay. But no such effort was
| made. The Department of Justice Will be in.
| vestgated by the people during tho cam pal ga
| OF 1884, and the Administration that pays
| lawyers moro than $3.50 a day, besides SO a
| day for expenses, Will have noed Of able and
| ingenious defenders.