The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-08-29
espOndence ofTbe New York Times

Correspondence ofThe New York Times
WASHINGTON, Aug. %.
1t is to be regretted that the report of the
Committee appointed to expurgate treason from
the various Departments Of the Government
cannot be published until next winter. when
congress meets. Its developments would starte
the nation, although l am sorry TO say that well
authenticated as they appear to be, they make
little impression upon those whose peculiar duty
u Is to see that no traitor turks about the Capi-
TAI OF the nation, and especially that no man of
doubtful loyalty is retained in Office. The Com
ihlttee Is now ready TO report but its labors are
ny no means closed. 1t has already been ascer-
famed that more than 200 men of secession sym-
pathles are retained in office in Washington. A
lew nave been removed, but the great majority
sui make their monthly drafts upon the Nation
al treasury. There are thirty-two of these men
IN the employment of the War Depar tment in
various capacities-abo half of them beinp
clerks, and the remainder officers, surgeons
mechanics IL the arsenal messengers and so
forth.
there are some eight or ten of these mechan-
les, who are proven to be secessionists land their
employment in the arsenal will explain the fact
that bombs have been aScertaned to be filled
with sand or saw dust. The President has been
assured by officers in the army, that if even
half the bombs thrown at Bull Bun by our bat
teries had been filed with combustibes, the
havoc among the enemy would have been terri
bic.
The Maynard also is found to contain num-
Der Of secessionists, and no doubt they have
played the same game there that the Arsenal
traitors have carried on. But all the depart
ments can count their scores of these secret
sympathizers with rebellion; and the Sixth Au-
ditors office will have to recognize after the dis
Royal element has been removed
The President is literally surrounded by spies
and traitors unless the testimony delivered be.
fore the Committee does great injustice to his
door-keepers and gardener; while the man who
is now engaged in painting the White House
Is proven to be most active sympathzer with
he rebels, if not their secret agent These facts
nave been brought to The knowledge of the
President, and 1t is to be presumed that he will
not be long IN turning adrit the treaeherous re-
cIplents OF his confidence. These men stand at
the door OF the Council Chamber and if, as the
evidence before the Committee goes to prove.
they are traitors and spies, they can be of far
more use to the rebel Government at Richmond,
than to that which gives them their daily bread.
Their humble situations make them none the
less formidable enemies to the country consid-
ering the peculiar relation in which thew stand
TO the President.
understand that when the War Department
was informed ofthe names of the traitors in the
arsenal, and the evidence against them the mat |
ter was referred by Gen. Scott to Gen Mans
held and that the latter had the men arrested
and brought before Justice of the Peace The |
) usuce notified Mr.. Potter, the Chairman of the |
Committee, that the prisoners, arrested by or
IN the name Of the Committee, were before him |
lie OF course replied that he had nothing TO do
with the ariest-that the Committee had no
power to arrest any one, their sole business be.
ing merely to investigate facts and give infor-
nation TO the proper department. Gen. Mans
jteta cHrtty replied that ifthe COMMITTEE acith-
0fe'o the charges he a0Outd set the men to acoyk
again, add acc0rdingty did So
The evidence before the Committee seems to
be given with candor. and, so far as is apparent
on the surface, without alice or prejudice -
There must OF course be exceptions to this rule
where SO many witnesses have been examined.
But the Committee have rested no verdict upon
the testimony OF one witness and have. in
probably every instance, where an official has
peep reported as disloyal, the evidence of three
persons on cath to sustain tn I'm. Injustice may
nave been done i'll some instances, but there
can be no question Of the fact that the Commit
tee have sought the truth, and nothing but the
truth, without tear, favor or affection. The
name of The gallant Potter, who, as Chairman,
has had the leading part in performing the du-
ties OF this Committee, will be guarantee for
the integrity and efficiency with which the task
has been performed.