The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1862-01-25
FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Jan. %, lob2.
A severe illness is my excuse for not writing
you in the midst of the exciting events now
transpiring.
The Administration and Congress have found
it hard to pull in the same harness. There GER
tainy has been no concerted action between
them, and the differences existing will, predict,
result in the formation of two new parties. The
men whose views prevail in Congress, are the
old and tried Republicans, such men as our Sen
ators aud Representatives, as Trumbull and
Wade, and Fessenden. They complain that there
Is no vigor in prosecuting the war, that it must
move on faster, or the nation will become bank
rupt, and be forced to abandon it, aud that
whatever impedes the result must be torn down,
no matter at what cost. The Administration on
the other hand, and Gen. Mcclellan, by whom
they are much Influenced, support the present
policy, and incline t. pursue the war more on
the kid-glovc system advised by Mr.. Crittenden.
Whichever may be right, there is certainly a
breach daily widening between the two depart
ments Of the Government.
This week the conduct of the war has been
severely commented on in Congress. particularly
the Departments Of the Treasury, War and Navy
The details broughtto light certainly do appear
rather black. Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts,,
made strong speech in the House on Monday,
which created marked impression, showing a
lax system in the War Department, utterly un-
accountable. One statement in particular, ere
ated deep indignation, that two hundred horses
had been tied to trees in Washington, and fallen
dead there, from starvation.
Mr. Cameron has resigned, and is to 60 as
Minister to Russia, in place of Cassius NJ. Clay,
who rumor says, is to be made Major General.
Washington is divided as to the reasons for his
resignation. The different reports are that
the Congressional Investigations make his seat
too hot to hold him aud that his radical views
a. to Slavery, frequently expressed, are at vari
ance with the policy OF the Administration, who
have consequently driven him from among them
Another statement, have heard, that the New
York bankers insisted on his removal, as con
diton pecedent to further loans. As yet no
body knows. The appointment to Russia is in
tended ae an Endorsement of him by the Govern
ment. His successor. Mr.. Stanton, is a promi
pent lswyer of this District, and democrat il
politics He was Mr.. Buchanan's Attorney Gen
eral for the last few months of the cold publ,
fuuctionary's" reign. 1t is said that he has Ion;
been the confidential adviser Of Gen. Mcclellan
and perhaps is under obligations to him for th,
appointment.
The Secretary of the Navy has also been at
tackled in the Senate by Mr.. Hale. That SeDa
tor usually 6,es of his guns, without any yer,
deliberate aim, and on very slight pretext ant
this seems to be one Of his peculiar fea.s. Some
Senator suggested that it might be better to cal
on Secretary Welles for an explanation before
condemning him, and SO the matter was for TIN
present, postponed. Nobody believes Mr.. Wellel
to be guilty of dishonesty, or corruption. II,
stands higher, as an honest man, 10 the esteem
Of the people who know Of the course of events
than five.sixths of the Government officers. an,
any error will be proved to be only an error il
judgment.
The House to-day, voted to abolish the frank
ing privilege. NJ. Colfsx explained how gres
nuisance It had become. Residents and Wis
tors in Washington had called on Congressme
to frank them envelopes by the hundred, an
the practice had become 90 general. that it ".
considered meanness to refuse to do 30. Eve
Suffers had been keeping franked envelopes f
sale to the soldiers And finally, the Post Ma
Yer General was obliged to protest against su,
crying abuse, to the several members.
Nr. Summers speech on the Mason. Slidell
fair, was favorably received, but not with su,
crazy delight as the newspaper reports infor
us. II was not to be compared with Seward
letter. And the advice Of Mr. Summers be
friends, would have been, that the affair was Q,
lied, and the subject could gain nothing at hoI
or obroad, BY being stirred up again. But VII
n. Sumner sees good opportunity for bri
liant osatorical display, be is not apt to let
pass, o. % consider very long az to the best p
icy. ~ X0X.