Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-12-08
From the CapitaI--Halleck's RepOrt--Ad-
justment Of Soldiers CIaius--- Western

From the Capital--Halleck's RepOrt--Ad-
1ustmeut Of soldiers' Claims---Wcsreru
YirEinia.
4 Correspondence Of Cleveland Leader1
WAsHHeToE, D. c., Dec. 3, 1868.
The House have little to do except in
their Committees, and consequently their
meeting from day to day develOpes but lit
tie business. The Senate have more to do
in executive session.
There is determination on the part of
those members who support The var, to do
everything in their power to aid the Pres
ident in prosecuting the war to q success
fnl issue, and further, they are determined
that the butternut seeesh in Congress shall
not put stumbling blocks in the way of the
authorities.
Yesterday visited the I'd Auditor, Hon.
E. B. French, VINO has the adjustment of
claims for back pay and bounties due to
discharged soldiers and to the friends of
deceased soldiers. he was anxious to have
it understood by applicants, that they must
not expect their claims adjusted immedi-
ately, as it was impossible to do it. The
fault lies not with the I'd Auditor, but with
the pay department Of the War Office, who
have to furnish from the pay rolls, data
upon which the claim is allowed. The pay
rolls are not always promptly returned to
Washington, which also causes delay. So
you will do great favor to the cOmmuni-
ty by publishing the above.
The report Of General Halleck is won
derful document. You must lay it in full
before your readers. 1t gives to the world
the truth in regard to the operations Of the
army of the Potomac, after he took the po-
sition Of commander-in-chief, and the de-
velopements, it appears to me, must be
crushing to those who, without the facts be-
fore them, have been attributing the fault
of its inactivity to the Administration
How "Little Mac" can get out from under
its crushing representations, cannot see.
There is large delegation here from
Western Virginia, pressing the admission
Of it into the Union as State. With this
project I have much sympathy. They
have always been the tail end Of the east
ern Virginia kite-mere "hewers Of wood
and drawers of water" to the slaveholding
aristocraey of the eastern counties, and
wholly and entirely in their power New
is the first time, and it may be the last time
that chance will occur to relieve them Of
this unnatural connection.
There are great many good reasons
why Ohio should favor the project, and
expect to see every vote from that State in
favor of it, expect that of Vallandigham
and his little echo Cox" There would
be gained another State, virtually free.
They have but few slaves now, and by the
terms Of the proposed admission no more
can be brought into the State,-all born
after the 4th of March, 1863 are born free,
all now under ten years are to be free at
twenty-one years Of age,-all over ten
years and under twenty-one are to be free
at twenty-five years Of age. While this is
not just what some would like, it is after
all q quick way of getting rid Of Slavery,
particularly among people like those in
West Virginia, who are not in love with
the institution.
The. trials Of Generals Mcdowell and
Porter occasion q great deal of talk here.
Colonel Goodwin yesterday testified that
he had seen General Mcdowell drunk on
Pennsylvania Avenue several times. The
first time he was walking and staggering
in the middle of thestreets near Willards s.
The charges and specifications, which were
frst published last night, against General
Porter, if proven true, seem to convict
that officer of a premeditated determina-
ton to sacrifice the whole of POpe's army,
and even Washington itself, rather than
Pope should be triumphant. If properly
sustained, he deserves to be shot, and l
hope the Government will make an exam
pie of him which will be a warning to
Jealous officers.
The weather is most delightful, clear,
bright, and warm. 3. B.