The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-03-19
GOVERNMENT SCANDALS AND THE
COMMERCIAL INTEREST"

Must We allow all kinds OF frauds to be
perpetrated upon the government, all
kinds OF corruption to EXIT In high places
and all kinds of 'niustic, to be done the
country rather than injure any big pri-
vate interest by calling attention to sore
spots and seeking to have them cured?
Are we running our government for the
special benefit OF the few, or the greatest
good OF the greatest NUMBER
It exhausts the patience OF all lovers
Of good government to hear the continued
paint that TO uncover abuses Is to strike
a blow at this or that industry. What are
we TO do-submissively sit silent and per-
NIT scamps OF every description, inside
and outside OF office. to rob the public
at will and prostitute government TO their
own personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT IL there
to be no more honesty or decenoy in the
management OF public affairs, II honesty
and decency would interfere with the gains
OF some powerful private interest?
One Of the latest papers to intimate
fear that the investigation Of the beef
scandal IS unfortunate because likely to
iniure the cattle and meat business, IN u
Southern paper from which we would
have looked for demand for thor
ough. fearless exposure rather than a
mere commercial Wow OF the question.
The Savannah News Gays;
Tho packers say that General Miles charges
have cost the farmers who raise cattle and
the meat packers mere thlp the war with
Spain cost tho government. Thht ls an eS-
al NatA nj q
true that General Miles strdck the cattle ard
meat business blow which was extremely
coetiy 10 those engaged In II, The effects
Of his charges Will continue to be feli By
that business Tor a loag time, The failure
10 rustnln his charges will hurt General Miles
ia the estimation OF tho country more than
the loss OF great battle would
| AS a matter Of fact, General Miles did
not strike the costly blow at the cattle
and meat business" That blow was
struck by the pacbers Themselves when
they unloaded millions of pounds OF rot
ten mea, Ypon tue army uhder rush Or
ders." or contracts, made By Eagan. Gen
erai Miles simply called attention TO the
frauds, and the packers aud the commits
sary department are responsible for the
! consequences 20 tho cattle and meat busi-
meas. Miles did his duty only. and the
country should DO congratulated that il
the midst OF a sea Of corruption one Of
| fetal was brave and patriotic enough ia
raise voice OF protest. When man oil
recognized character goes astray and az
I officer reports him, the culprit and not
the officer is responsible for the wreck Of
a good reputation.
IL any officials are guilty OF striking
| this elbow" Mt the cattle and meat bust.
ness. Aiger and Eagan are tho men. Thu
] testimony OF Major Smith, long the arm,
purchasing agent at Chicago, shows that
large rush orders were received from
Washington for beef that was never In.
spected and that was OF a kind ncve,
used before in the army; that old canned
meat that had been sent to Liverpool and
that had lain there for years was bought
reclslessly aud reshipped here; that tn,
loosest business management amountln,
to criminal negligence was the rule. ant
that the contractors and Alger and Eagar
acted without any reference TO safe
guards of any kind
The testimony as reported In fuI, In IN,
chicago papers showed conduct that call
for the severest condemnation by the peo
pie, regardless OF the men or the inter
ests hurt Money and Commercial IN
'erestS may hc the gods OF iarge elias
OF people In this country, but ", All,
deny that they are the most sacred OBJ
,ects Tor National concern. II we can NO
correct government abuses We might a
: we'll turn the rascals in and give them
nun power OF attorney to do as the
! please Wv