The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1858-09-08
MORE OF THE SAME SoRE.-Fornt

the pHDHc treasury. we nave ALREADY given Il
few small items, and here is another: On the
18th of May last 1852 a contract was signed
on behalf of the war department, 10 furnish for
the Utah army, fifty thousand bushels of corn,
growth of 1857, at eighty cents per bushel, to
be delivered in two instruments, viz: the first
$4,000 bushels on the 10th of June last, at Ne
braska City; and the second $4,000 bushels on
the 9Th June, at the same place. 1t was stlp-
ulated in the contract that the corn must be at
Nebraska City a few days prior to the time ap-
pointed so as to undergo inspection. An officer
of the army, detailed for the purpose, was at
Nebraska City on the 10th June, ready to re-
ceive the corn, but no grain was there, nor any
likelihood of its arrival; which facts he reported
to the quarter master general, at Washington.
In the meantime the contractor had fnanciered
around until he had secured from the depart
ment drafts to the amount of the contract, to
enable him, as he represented, to buy up the
corn in western Pennsylvania and Ohio. Up
on receipt of the officers report the quarter
master general Immediately instituted inquiries
Of ex-governor Porter, of Pennsylvania, who
was the security of the contractor, as to the
causes of the failure. An answer was returned
that he did not know where the contractor was,
and the ex-governor shortly after visited Wash
ington, expressing great surprise at the conduct
of his friend, whom he declared he had not seen
since the dag on which they signed the con-
tract-the 15th May. Another report was re-
ceived from the officer, dated Nebraska City,
June 18, 1858; the day on which the delivery
of the entire O,OOO bushels was to have been
completed; instead of which the war depart
ment was informed that not a sack of corn had
been received. The war department then des-
patched an agent to chase up the delinquent
ing which he visited every section of Pennsylva-
MIA and Ohio, and proceeded as far as Nebraska
City, the agent few days ago returned to
Washington and informed the department that
he had been unable to ascertain anything what
ever of its favorIte contractor. AS matter of
course the quartermaster at St. Louis was i'm
mediattIy ordered to fill the requisition for the
corn needed by the troops in Utah. The ex-
governor again visited the federal city, and re-
manned nearly a week, enjoying himself fully
convinced that the general government will not
hold such a prominent potentate Of democracy
as himself responsible for so small matter as
the miscarriage of a speculation in corn.
A FAIR FIoHT.-Senator Douglas, that re-
doubtsble " Little Giant of Democracy" hav-
ing become tired of the assaults of the Wash
iDgton Union, turns his wrath upon the great
organ of the administration, and deals some
telling blows. 1t is a fair fight, the parties be-
ing on par as to morals and strength. The
Union tells the truth in proclaimng Douglas
to be a recreant to principles he protested to
advocate and designing demagogue; and
Douglas likewise speaks the truth when he de-
nounces the Union as ttthe hired DETAINED ofits
superiors,' the "paid datterer of the admins
tration," and the chase tool with whose aid tire
office holders execute their dirty work" Both
the parties are adopts in thease of bilingsgate,
and there is no danger Of the slime and filth
they are hurling at each other in any way soil
ing their hands. The following paragraph is a
specimen of the style in which Douglas comes
at his opponent:
''This man, Wendell, (whose name appears
in the Union as ':editor!!'') and his hirelings,
whose uho5e object as to- zch money from the put
lie treasury by their lobby operations, are at
tempting to control the politics Of Illinois with
the view Of securing the election of men who
will act in harmony with them in their pecuza-
tons, to the exclusion of the democratic party.
Follow the lead of the Washington Union, the
gang who controlit, and the diminutive federal
''organs" who obediently repeat its sayings,
and you will rend the democratic party asund-
er and not only break down those against
whom its denunciations are hurled, but dis
grace the administration which it Processes to
support, whilst it covertly makes war upon the
leading declarations and recommendations OF
the president and his cabinet. | have never
noticed the Washington Union before, because
have had such contempt, such disgust for the
corruption which hangs around it, and the cor
rupt purposes for which its columns are used By
the men who rule and control ii, that | did not
wish to trust myself in an expression of opinion
In relation to it before an audience
Senator Douglas and the Washington Union
are unquestionably fully conversant with all
the mysteries and beauties of the ''great dem
ocracy." and none are more able to portray in
true colors the characters of such distinguished
features of that party as the presidents conf
Dental official organ, and the Little Giant of
Democracy"
The COURT OF CLAIMs.-We are gratifed to
learn that there is no doubt the court of claims
will be prepared, at its meeting on the first
Monday of November, to determine all the
cases heretofore submitted to it, The cases
ordered to be reargued, in consequence of the
death of Judge Gilchrist, will then be heard in
order, after which those on the regular per
fected trial docket are, we understand, to be
taken up in their order and promptly disposed
Of When the proofs in cases are closed and
the record printed, it rests with the claimants
counsel to determine whether the cause shall
H. Il j.