Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-08-31
THE NEWS HERE.

Nh. ARNOLD HARRIs-The extracts from let.
fes OF Arnold Harris appearing In late New Or
leans papers, to be found elsewhere in the Star OF
today, prove the correctness OF our original crti-
cism upon the act Of permitting him to pass be-
yond the lines Of our army into those Of the
enemy. He now avows that he has always heartily
favored the cause Of the olgarchy. He denies that
he II Q beef contractor with the United States.
We presume that his name does not appear I'm the
noted as cents per ID" contract with Dyer of
Chicago. Yet not single person here, familiar
with such matters, doubted ere the promulgation
Of these New Orleans letters from him, that he
was one Of Overs partners In the operation. II
was publicly and commonly asserted all over the
city, and never before questioned that we heard
OF. The reason why those whom he proclaims to
be his friends hold him In confinement In Rich.
mond In, doubtless, because they have no conf
dence In his professions, on any side. Were he as
well known there a. here, we think his NANTES
fafions Of sympathy with their cause would obtain
ready credence with Davis & Co
Warned by his example, IL Is to be hoped that
hereafter no facilities for inuring the Of the
United States will be granted by the authorities
here to disloyal men; and that none such will be
In the receipt Of money expended nominally for
The prosecution Of the war, either az avowed or
ployees Of the Government.
The evil Of contract-brokerage IL fast disappear
Ing nom the Management Of the affairs Of the War
Department, through the energy and frmness of
Secretary Cameron and Assistant Secretary Scott;
though having been fastened upon the system Of
fransacting the public business Tor quarter Of
century, 10 10 hard to break IL up In a single
season. Mr.. Harris has been long known hi one
OF the most persistent and successful men standing
between the Government and real contractors for
anything and everything. Now, he shows him.
self to be thoroughly disloyal II will be we'll
for Congress, at the next session, to investigate
whether he was or was not a recipient Of any
public money, directly or indirectly, on account
Of Dyer's eightcens- per- pound beef contract; II
but by way Of showing the true character and
tendency Of contract brokerage In times like
these.
We never visit either the War or Navy Depart.
nnents without finding half a dozen or less noto-
rious contract brokers, drummes after special
Pecunisry favors from the Government, men
who VIGOROUSLY tell to the highest bidders their
claims to social influence over members Of the
Administration, &c kicking their shins within
their portals. The present Cabinet found this
nuisance installed and Of very long standing
when they entered office. and we sincerely be-
lieve set their faces against It, But they fail to
act with sufficient emphasis in the premises
They should refuse TO listen to word on such
subjects from any man they know to be a dab
bling go-between In Government contracts; pro-
claiming the intention Of dealing in such matters
only with the men who really furnish the sup
piles. Until that 10 done, the treasury must
inevitably pay two prices for what It purchases.
One for the article and the other to the contract
drummer or broker a. o compensation for his
services.
MR. RUSSELL AND SKcRRrARY BLAIR.-Mr
Russell, In late letter to the London Times,
made the following statement:
went into the private department Of the Post
Once the other day, and found there a gentleman
engaged in asserting letters at desk. The last
time met him was at dinner with the Commits
sloners Of the Confederate States, at Washington
and was rather surprised to see him now In the
sanctum Of the Post Once, within few feet Of
MIR. Blair, Of the SdHgrs dzHI Of abolitionism
Said be: am just looking over the letters here,
to pick out some for our southern friends and
forward them to their owners as find them
And II the excellent and acute gentleman did not
also forward any little scraps of news he could
collect, l am In error"
According to the Republican, Of this morning,
Mr.. Russell mistakes the City Post Office for the
General Post Once, and IL was at the former
place he met the gentleman alluded to {Mr. Phil
lips Of Alabama), who was engaged In looking
over the foreign mail In search Of packages and
letter., which he was authorized to forward to his
southern friends, upon paying the postage.n OF
course Mr.. Blair was not present. for be has moth
irg to do with the Warrington City Post Office,
and seldom goes there.
RETURN OF THE EAST INDIA SQUADRON The
nag ofcer Of the East India squadron has, in dis
patches received Yesterday, Informed the Navy
- tina thatf he o,Ho To-.
vessels under his command have been received
Measures were at once taken to carry them into
effect.
IL has heretofore been stated that the African
md Brazil squadrons have also been ordered to
return TO the United States, their employment
being needed at home, owing to the Southern
rebellioA.
Our country will, however, be represented by
one ship on each Of the coasts Of Africa and Bra.
Ill, - well as in the East Indies.
SECRETARY CAMERON LEFT Washington this
morning, for his home In Pennsylvania, to be ab.
sent from his post only until the day after tomor.
row.
RETURNED .-jno. G. Nicolay, Esq e, the Presi-
dents private secretary, has returned TO his post
in this city with improved health.
PosrAL NoTIcE.-Letters to Western Ken
lucky, to the continued post Offices, should be
directed cta Louisville.
sEcRKrAlY SEWARD IL expected % retu,n IN
Wsshington by day after tomorrow.
IN. How. Nj, Cox, tH. Of R y Of Ohio, is now
OrIt Ii UNDERWOOD that Gerard Hsllock, ESQ =,
10 II ~