New-York tribune., 1886-07-20
REFOE.W PRECEDENTS.

Among lllc DllSHl S'udNg vi bN"'''''N -
formers discovered by President Cleveland
including Garland, Goode, Black, Atkins, lilg-
gins and othels-the name of Milton j. Dur
ham, First Controller of the Treasury Depart
ment stands out conspicuously. Mr.. Durham
modcstly wrote to "A friend in Kentucky of his
experience as q tinancier, and then added the
suggestion that Kentucky needed lnancier
for Governor. But the Democrats OF that
Commonwealth have been slow TO act on this
advice. and Durham seems destined to continue
IN his present Office This Is Il misfortune,
because Durham, III working up record as
" Gnancicr,' has greatly added to the work oil
the already 0verburdcned Court of Cltims be-
sides promoting profanity both III and out OF
the Treasury Department
Durham has recently suspended the account
Of United States Marshal Mcmahon, of this city,
for TRANSPORTING United States prisoners to the
Ele County Pcnitcntiary. General McMahon
charged 1856 mileage and expenses in each
case. Durham thought that the Marshal might
hold the prisoners until hc had lot of them
probably enough to make calload-and thus
secure reduced rates for the Government and
save the expense Of guards. IL IS not loI us to
say that General Mcmahon ought not to get the
consent of the Judges to do this nor do we say
that his charge WIS not too high. But as these
matters are largely settled by precedents, We
take the liberty OF referring Controller Durham
10 prccedents set by the biggest refolmer OF
all-Grover Cleveland, now President Of the
United States. Not many years ago Mr.Cleve-
land was Sheriff of Eric County. Turning
back to tho Official records we find that for
transporting children from that city to the
House of Refuge on Randdll's Island he
charged $3.50 90 in each case, though several
were brought together Moreover, Demo
cratic Board of Supervisors allowed the claim
on Mr.. Cleveland, sworn certificate that it was
a Just and reasonable charge. The distance
and the railroad charges were the same in the
cases of both Sheriff Cleveland and Marshal
Mcmahon. But the Sherill's prisoners were
mere children while the MarshaPs were hald-
cncd criminals As further aid to Controller
Durham we might remark that Sheriff Cleve-
lands predecessor was paid only 500 90 iOI
transporting prisoners TO the House OF Refuge.
In raising the charge to $lGO to MI Cleve-
land proua,,y tt..oL into consideration the great
er value OF his selv'""s. |, may rr "ell there
fore for Controller Durham to consider
whether or not the charge OF 1856 made by
Marshal ilcAIahon may not have some reference
to his future candidacy for President OF the
United States
Controller Durham has also disallowed the
charge ior soap and towels for the United
States Courts, and has made reduction OF
fifteen cents in the charge for writing paper,
and has also refused to pay for otlcf paper
and for stylOgraphic ink for tho Use OF Judge
Wallace In the courtroom In kentucky
soap and towels may moi be necessary to re-
formed Democracy. The great unwashed
even here in New-York probably would not
caIe ior them. But Controller Durham must
net Use that standard in determining the needs
of United States Judges. Besides we find
aqain in referring 10 his bills that Sherln
Cleveland not only charged for all these things,
but also for matches, newspapers, maps books,
gratuities TO carrier boys, etc, etc. He swore
that they were necessary in the discharge OF
lis public duties us Sheriff. That ought to be
authority enough for Refcrmer Durham in al
lowing soap, towels and ink for United States
Judges. These are great times for " lclOsncrs