New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-13

Now, IN relation to this contract for the construc-
tioa Of ealthworks III st. Louis, wish TO cay that
Ssili be frauk upon this subject upon every other
do not approve vi that contract. think the con-
tractor made too much money out OF II. do net
suppose 1t was mace unon the judgment Of Gen.
Fremont, but hat he yielded 10 the opinions OF the
Engineer Department about prices think the
prices were too bigh and truth comlels mo 10 say
20, 'eeauss, when stsnd here to vindicdte Hei'
Fremont, will not sacrifice the truth 10 vindlcaie
him or any body else. If sreak at all, must e3'
press my convictions Bat, admitting that there was
extravaganza in his Department, l ask whether
every other Department OF the army has been man
aged with more care and less extrsvaesnce
Gen. Thomas says III bis report that 200 or 800
horses were found unit Tor service; that they were
Lane and rlnp boned snd slaviped, although II IS not
proved that Fremont Lad seen single one OF them.
We'll. SIR. when came 10 Washington st TIE begin
,;uo of the present session. uUOn looking into Ihe
STIR noticed the sale OF 400 condemned Govern
mept horses, of the army Of the Potomac, which
brought prices ranging from 25 GEMS TO $50. Yet
my friend hsd deuunciations against the manage
ment OF this Department. IL time Of war, IN con-
Quoting operations SO extensive ecaie, the eXpe-
ri-nce of England in tie Ciimean war aud OF al
other nations at such tines unfortunately prove that
il il not 20 be expected that everything would be
precisey right that all articles shail be suddenly
bought of tue best quality and at The lowest prices.
noticed also, that the exhibits attached 10 Gen.
1homass reports contained two singular complaints
against Gen. Fremont One was complaint ~
Gen. Hunter that Fremont lad ordered hun into The
field, and that he had 10 wagons and only III mules
And the very next OF the exhibits was conf laint
by Qusrtermase Turnkey, within few days OF the
date Of Gen. Hunter letter. complaining that Ere
mont had ordered him 10 push on the ins ection OF
mules us ralidIy as possible l think these two
complaints exactly answer each Other But how
could Fremont have satisfied such critics
NV friend from Missouri vndicaes the character Of
the City Of St. Louis l wish could believe all he
says about the loyalty o. that ely, for tbik it IL
very pleasant city. l have spent many pleasant
days there; have enjoyed not ouy the hospitality
OF my friend from Missouri, representing the 81.
Louis District, bat OF mauy other friends IN that
city. believe with him that the great body of TIE
working men of that city are loyal, but that ma
orty Of the men of wenlth and high social position
there oislOyal
Mr. BLAIR rep, Mobile gentleman is mis-
taken.
Mr.. CoLyAx-I cannot yield to my friend, at least
until have finished this sentence. Why, Sir, even
since Gen. IlGlleCk assumed the command Of that
department the Recession candidates for officers OF
the Chamber of Commerce Of st. Louis were elected
by sweeping majority.
Mir. BLAIR Rep, Mo.(-It is true that the Seces-
sion candidates were elected by the Chsuber Of
Commerce by large majority, and the same fact IL
true ia reference to the Mercantile Library Associa-
ton Of 5 Louis but that only shows that the COM
mercsl men of the city were largely engaged IN
commerce with the South, and were in that way
Id, utlhed with Secession. But say 70 the gentle
man that know the city well, and know that the
two regiments raised which Gen. Lyon took prleon-
ers d, Camp Jackson were all the secession troops
they could raise end all they could arm. There was
never any necessity OF declaring martial law.
Mr.. CoLrAx-I beg to say to my friend that l
know something about st. Louis, though not of
course as much as himself l have not only visited
it frequently, but read the newspapers published
there, and particularly paper Which used 10 he
considered lie organ, but believe Il not now II
fsvorite of ls--Ihe 81. Inns Democrat And my
friend knows very well that in the caSe oil the
Mercantile Library Association every effort was
made, both by the Unionists and Secesrionsts TO
carry the elections that tue Union men paid tie due-
Of Union members IN arrears, and proposed nuinUen
OF Others qualified for admission for Tie purpose o.
obtaining their votes bu! nevertheless were defeated
By q large minority.
Mr. BLAIR fNi-souri)-Tbe reason WHY the
Union men left the ball and refused to participate IA
the meeting was, tba. hundred Union canGidltts
to become members were excluded by majority Of
the old members, under technical rule requiring
ore DAVIS notice before admission. 1 10 not often
read the organ OF the Fremont party, Of which the
gentleman speaks, but i think i am pretty well
AGO TAINTED with tue facts, nevertheless.
MIR. CoLFAx-I have no doubt of it, and my fre nd
knows very well tnat these members OF the Cnamter
of Commerce, who elected their Secession candidate,
voted for bIm openly as such 10 face of the United
States military authorities in the city. They made
10 professions of jealous loyalty, as many SecessIon
fts have done in face Of sn armed force. Ioelr con-
duct wac 30 open and undIguided that General Hal
l.e ordered every Of the officers elect 20 come
NO and take the oath Of sliegance being, believe,
tue first civilians be imposed this upon though he
Las REQUIRED il since more extensively still
bir BLAIR tMissounl-Ihe gentleman will allow
me 70 say
MIR. CoLYAx-I cannot WELD further. did not
interrupt ny Trend the whole tue lie was spending.
H. nj la iley
were openly Seceesi1D--
Tue CHAIRMAS-Ihe gentleman from Missouri ia
out OF order. Tie gentleman from lndians declines
TO yied.
Mr. BLAIR missouri y am little sensitive upon
this point.
MI Co,rAx-Then viii yield, Of sourse.
Air. BLAIR (Aio.Oun)-I merely desire TO say that
these men voted ar what WAS called Secession
candidate for a man known 10 be Union man, and
who refused 10 hold the Office after he had been
elected.
MIR. CoLrAx-Still, the statement remains uncon-
tradicted tina, he voted for as Secession candi
date By those who sympattized with the men who
are ia arms against the Government, and war elected
ar such.
Mr. Chairman, I'know that the mas Of the people
OF the Cry Of st. Louis, the working peoI 10, ar
said previously, axe loya; for Sir when tuis same
Geu. Fremont came back to that city after bis re.
moyal; when he came with 10 iayors 10 confer, but
ceyraced, dIshonored, deyosed from his command,
TIE loyal people that city, who rad heard all the
charges OF their Representative against him, bat
VINO still contdod in hiu, 1ocked By Thousands and
tens Of tbousaudr with banners and torchlghts and
music aud shoutings to welcome HIM as no man was
ever welcomed there before. Oh YES SIR, TIE heart
Of the people of 81. Louis loyal they have proved
il 70.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEATH OF GENERAL
LYON.
Ny friend from St. Louis has quoted documents
and presented arguments TO prove that Gen. FIRE.
mont bad il III bis power TO re-eniorce Gen. Lyon
before the battle OF Springfield and tina, his failure
10 perform that duty tIe cause OF Gen. Lyon d
nenih- hud lhn.e [ now deslre Ia exarline Sir tie