The New York herald., 1863-10-14


much trouble 10 Mr. Lincoln, and Is likely "a
cause more to the country. How the wrangiine
factions are to be reconced; how the preten.
sions OF Senator jim Lane and his gang of abo-
iuion marauders are TO be disposed of; how the
border Jayhawkers are to be held back from
tne continued plunder and devastation OF the
"debatable land" on both sides of the Missouri
river'-these are questions demanding in no
ordinary degree the exercise of that homely,
but keen and honest wisdom which "honest
Abe" 30 undoubtedly possesses. What be
thinks about the matter himself may be best
illustrated by his remark to prominent gen.
tlsman Of this city, who asked him q few days
ago what he intended doing in regard to the
Missonri-Kansas troubles "They remind me"
said Mr.. Lincoln "of field once had when
was farming in Sangammon county 1t was
very good ield-very good land in it; but in
one corner there were some stumps, so tough
and long-rooted that they couldnt be grubbed
up with the hatchet and axe; 80 wet that they
couldn't be burned out. Well, what could I
do! Icould only plough round them and
guess I'll have to plough around these Kansas
Missouri troubles also. They are both good
States-very good land in them-very good men
in them; bu. there are some very bad stumps,
of which Jim Lane is about the worst, and
guess they'll have to be ploughed round the
best way we can"
Giving this stAgy for what 1t may be worth,
let us say seriously that, if Mr.. Lincoln in
the least values or wishes to retain the
good opinion of the intelligent and con-
servative millions of the American people,
he will not hesitate to eject Senator Jim
Lane and all his tools, whether military or
civil, from connection with the affairs of the
Kansas and Missouri department Senator jim
is not only nuisance, but malignant and
irrepressible power of evil. Lank, cadaverOus,
mercless and cunning he is true representa-
tive of the 'jayhawking" or highway robber
and horse thief element which forms SO conspi-
cuous part of the Kansas character. He is
the veritable Jeaa Paul Marat of the Jacobin
wing Of his party, with only keener instinct
for plunder and pelf than history attributes to
that diseased and miserable miscreant. Ever
since the breaking out of the war Lane has
steadily aimed-and for the most part success
fully-to obtain control Of the Quartermaster,
Commissary and Pay departments of the army
having its headquarters in Kansas; and all the
patronage and plunder thus obtained have been
consistently devoted to his personal benefit and
the advancement of his political aspirations.
In the winter Of 1861, when General Hunter
took command of Kansas and the Territories, be
found the whole male population clothed in ar
my jackets, inexpressbles and shoes; while all,
both male and female, slept under army blan-
kets, and were subsisted on supplies furnished
rom the army commissariat The Pay Depart
nent was overrun with claims from staff officers
Who held no other appointment or commission
han note from Senator Jim /; and there were
10 less than fourteen regiments and three bat
;alions OF Kansas troops-on paper-these or
ganizations having full and superabundant
supply Of officers, but the average strength Of
The regiments being less than three hundred and
City effective men. 1t was Of no use for the
chief paymaster to protest that the staff officers
were irregularly appointed, held no commits
sions and had no duties. Senator Jim was at
that time Gin cohoot" with Secretary Cameron,
and all such objections were overruled as
rivolous 1t was the same with the chief
luartermaster and chief ccmmissary, if they
'efused to issue on Lanes irregular requisi- |
ions. Mr.. Cameron first raped them over the
xnuckles for causing unnecessary trouble, and
Senator Jim next set himself and his adhsrents
% work in the manufacture of afidavits that
these officers were in the pay of JEFF Davis,
and were eagerly awaiting the approach of
General Sterling Price to deliver up to him
Fort Leavenworth and all of stores, money,
ordnance and ordnance material that it con-
tanned.
General Hunter, who had been in command
of Fort Leavenworth twenty years before
Senator Jim ever saw it, and who had also
been on duty in Kansas during all the ''border
rufian" troubles Of the infant State soon
out matters, so far as the War De-
partmeDt would let him, and worked wonder
full reformation. Supported by him, the chief
refused to pay Illegal accounts to
Senator Jim's political aids, for military
services never rendered. The chief quarter
master and chief commissary renewed their
vows of fidelity to the book Of Army Regula-
tions, and no requisitions for stores or supplies
that were not en- regle and correct could receive
attention, The fourteen skeleton regiments
and three skeleton battalions were at once con-
solidated into six effective regiments and one
bat.alion-this change in itself saving to the
United States Treasury the pay, forage and
subsistence Of eight colonels, ten lieutenant
coloncls, eight majors, eight chaplains eight
surgeons, ten assistant surgeons, ninety cap
tains, one hundred and eighty lieutenants and
the non-commissioned staff in proportion. It
also converted into military organizations sub
ject to discipline, what had previously been
mere armed rabble of jayhawkers, scattered at
will over the country, and for the most part en-
gagged In pursuits having nothing whatever to
say to the profession Of soldering.
Changes so radical as this and so beneficial