The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1892-03-18
ROGUES DISAGREE.
A Fight Among the yaltures Of the Pen
sion Once,

Proof is at hand that through the
falling out of rogues honest men get
their dues A committee OF congress
is engaged in investigating the affairs
of the United States pension Office. IL
honor had been maintained among the
thieves who have infested that depart
ment Of the government there would
be small hope of public gain by the la
Dor of this committee 1t has been pos
sible to cover frauds in the pension Of
flee. In every community IL is a mat
ter of common information that pen
sions have been granted unworthily
and that some pensioners draw a reg
ular stipend for which they have nc
rightful claim in law or equity But care
has been taken to conceal the facts,
and the fatal indifference Of the peopls
to public affairs has enabled crime to
flourish in that department OF the fed
eral government which should be most
clear from suspicion
But the natural result OF continuing
fraud was a gathering of vultures with
neither conscience nor decency. Ihey
knew the peoples strong box had been
looted and that il was to be the legiti-
mate reward of party success. Loud
! rnouthed dcmagogaes shouted promises
20 professional veterans while Dudley
prepared for the practical part of a
campaign for hi' party. When the
fruit was ripone5 and when the clans
gathered at Washington the wisest
looked in the direction OF the pension
office for fat bertls and snug profits
But in some cases the pickings came
too slowly for patriots who had fallen
under the fatal fascination of games
that gave quick action for their money
In this emergency some OF the patriots
stole from each other under cover OF
borrowing. with no intent OF repay
ment Their course brought then
under the immediate censure of thei
superiors, who would not allow tina
honor could not be maintained while
treasury wa, icing plundered for tn,
benefit Of alleged patriots Dismissal
followed proof OF the vulgar habit o
borrowing from subordinates Ii wa
crime 10 borrow money thus, Will
il had been commendable To sell or OF
fer TO sell appointments in the land OF
fee 10 a ra.'road corporation.
But reform has not followed this los
OF prestige 18th u moral administra
ton. None otter than the discarde
fayorite, ul.erstand the absurdity a
the prctruec II morality by any prom
nent member IT the national admins
tration. They were in the swim whe
funds wcr, ling raised for the cam
paign Of l>,, and are not to be blame
il they now fuse to accept moral in
structiou from their party leaders VIII
profted by Eruption. But IL rest
with the dcmocratic members of COT
gress 10 determine whether or not IN
country shall be benefited by tn
present Mitigation. II they are t
be sweryeJ from their course by clamo
regarding the lebts due soldiers or
they are 10 alter in their purpose o
strict reform ia the pension system
and the thorough purging of the list
then will the thieves escape with thei
plumber despite their falling out an
the old rroyerb be nullided. -Chicag
Times.
Fix speaker Reed should not GO
angry because the democratic memb Der
of the house applaud when they hay
auricular aud ocular demonstrate
that the uranny under which the
suffered 100 he last congress is at y
end ~. \ World