The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-05-13
A Criminal Comptroller.

-
Developments of the Chestnut Street
National Bank are revealing the character
and sort Of men Cleveland had in his
Cabinet. Conspicuous among them was
little Eckels, Comptroller ofthe Treasury.
He knew two years before the bank finally
caved in that its condition required that
he should place it in the hands of re-
ceiver and wind it up. In place of per
forming his duty as he was bound to do
If he did not violate the law, which act
should place him i'll the penitentiary, he
perambulated about the country making
speeches at every bank association he
could secure au invitation TO attend.
These speeches were little short of treason
If such a thing as treason to the United
States were possible. The entire sub
stance of his silly harangues was impugu-
ing and disparaging the lawful money Of
the country, casting doubt on the credit
and integrity Of the nation and its money,
calculated to excite panic if perchance he
had been possessed of sufficient ability
and knowledge Of financial affairs TO have
had any influence among the banking
and money class.
One reason for Eckels' favor to the
Chestnut street bank was that its president
owned the Record newspaper, and the
paper could be compelled TO support the
gold conspiracy aud gold swindle by hold
ing club over the editor and proprietor,
who in turn brought all his persuasive
and other influence to bear OIL the num-
erous employees in his extensive business.
This species of bulldozing influence can
be traced from government officials down
through every avenue of business, regard
less of nominal party lines, in the interest
of the election of Mckinley.
The banks reward all their government
tools when their official term expires, and
Eckels could not be neglected lest the
precedent might have a future bad in
luence, although every banker knew his
utter unftness for the position of a bank
president. He was consequently. when
his term Of government Office expired,
given the presidency of concern in
Chicago.
The scandalous course Eckels pursued
while acting as Comptroller in Cleveland's
corrupt administration, depicts the polit-
ical corruption which the present monop-
0I., ,,aV;Ona1 ka Il ff
to foster in the national government and
spread through the entire business of the
country. 1t is becoming the common re-
mark among the petty business class. that
so and so is a sharp fellow, and his dirty
tricks in business are admired, when he
demonstrates faculty to over-reach and
cheat honest people without getting out
side the forms of law.
Such MEN as Eckels in high places
serve to lead the common herd away from
the paths of rectitude and honesty, breed
ing immortality in business and rearing
up crop Of rascals, a number of whom
are so unskillful in their methods that
they are not able TO escape the PEN
itentiary.
The rottenness of Philadelphia in its
municipal as well as its banking, and it
may be inferred its other business, makes
the Quaker city fair companion piece
for old Sodom
The Jew pawnbroker system Of finance
which is sapping the morals of business
and robbing the masses, and which is
called the gold standard, is filling the
country in high life with thieves and in
low life with poverty, and ex Comptroller
of the National Treasury with a penilen.
tiary crime fastened upon him, unwhipped
Of justice and exalted to high place in
society by the class he served, is an object
lesson of the corruption which is the
creed of the church of modern Mammon.
Low prices and hard times, with the
example of the very rich are driving the
people to resort to rascality as the chief
method of success in business