The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-27
COMFORT FOR FRENCH REPUBLICANS

01F
The Republicans of France are having
a very hard time Of II. The Panama canal
scandal is shaking the country from
centre to circumference. and has involved
in its meshes nearly every member promi-
nent in the late administration. Such a
rafting of dry bones has scarcely ever
been heard in any land. and it is no won
der that fears have been expressed that
the Republic was in danger Of
being shattered and overthrow. But
the Republicans of La Belle France
should look at the United States and take
courage. We boast Of being the freest
and best country on top Of the globe, be-
cause we are a Republic, and see what
we can stand 1t is only necessary to re-
call Grants administration to learn that
we, of all people on the globe, have the
most elastic. and. at the same time, most
stable. Government Of which it is posi-
BILE for the mind of man t. conceive. and
that Our Republic can safely stand more
corruption TO the square inch than any
other form Of government in the world.
First and foremost. there was our ia
nous Credit Mobilier. That was a scan
dal in comparison to which the Panama
canal fraud sinks into insignifcance.
When that was fourishing In the country,
we had members Of Congress involved
in it, ad libitum. In fact, the Republi-
can majority in Congress-about two
thirds Of the body-formed itself into a
huge ring to swindle the people out of
every cent of money possible. This ma
Pacific railway. which was being built
by Government aid. and voted to hat en-
terprise vast appropriations, which were
returned to them as individuals i'm the
shape of dividends on their stock. In this
'enterprise'' were not only present and
prospective Congressman. but even pro-
spective presidents, one Of whom after
wards became a martyred Chief EXecu-
tive Of the nation" and was satisfied with
only 1868 of the Credit Mobilier funds.
He. however. enriched himself in another
way. having been a large beneficiary by
the de Golyer pavement contract, which
the Government gave out for paving the
streets of Washington. What Panama
cana has ever begun TO assume the
proportions Of our Credit Mobilier scan
dal?
Then about the same time was our
famous whisky ring. with which the
private secretary of the President him
self was intimately connected. BY this
means the Government was defrauded Of
millions of dollars of revenue which went
into the pockets of the secretary afOre-
said. and his congressional pals. Com
pared even to this small enterprise the
Panama canal fraud is as nothing.
Then came the memorable black Friday.
Here was, indeed. a day when suffering
and sorrow were brought to many a house
hold, and which preceded the famous
panic Of 1873. Whether members of Con-
gress anne out of the turmoil heavily
laden with swag has never been definitely
known. but one thing is known. and that
is that a brother-in-law of the President,
who was a member Of the personal family
Of the Chief Executive. was smiling and
serene mid the general crash.
Such n thing as a member Of the Cabi-
net and head OF the War Department
selling post-traderships, pocketing the
money he received therefor. and being
declared mot guilty" by a Republican
Senate even after he had confessed his
guilt. is too Insignificant TO be considered
In this connection Yet even such an ex-
perience as that which the country
passed through with Belknap was almost
equal TO the Panama canal matter. Now
let the despairing French Republicans
look at this array OF scandals (and they
are not half Of what might be told
through which the American Republic
passed. and not only lived, but fiourished.
II we could stand so much. surely the
Republic Of France can stand one little
trouble like that they are now undergo
ing. When the friends OF that Republic.
therefore, begin to quake and tremble, let
them think Of US. and be comforted.
A NEW EDIT N OF MAYO's GUIDE.
One of the most useful books TO those
who have to administer the criminal laws
or the Commonwealth hat ever was pub
Il