Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-07-07
gBg ofTy-gTDfTARY MAqTERS.


Affairs in this city have been in rather confused con.
dOn for several days past Business has been praci-
eally Suspended aud even the wheels of Government
have been cOgged by the Introduction of new era in
our military experience Confederate authority has
b. en- so blended WITH superseded by Safe authority,
that one scarcely knows which, if either is supreme for
the moment II Pistol present he might well
inquire again "Undsr which King, BezOnan' speak or
die"
All of this anomalous confusion has been caused, pri'
mtrily by the appearance Of force Of Yankees, in
threatening proximity to the city. TIE employees Of
the Confederate Government and all other transferring
citizens have been summoned to the 6eld-to cooperate
with Gen. D. H. Hills corps, and right cheerfuuy and
promptly have they responded to the call The authori-
ties however in sending this auxiliary force have
dregarded the ordinary requirements of social or
political organizations The post Office closed for
two days, and not letter, public or private, was
boxed" for tia. length of time l. there anybody SO
bere of reason "a TO believe that any necessity existed
for closing the post office The office in the Treasury
Department. at which the semiannua interest en- Con-
lederate bonds due LIST inst, payable, has beeu
co ed by order Of the Secretary Of the Treasury and
was i'll closed yesterday forenoon If three four
clerks whose duty it is to dsburse this interest
dspeusable in the 6eld that they cannot be sparedA
few days enable the Government to its monetary
obligations, may well pack trunks. But, who
deaf blind believe that there any necessity
for closing this office, or for doing thousaad other
things, equally absurd, that might be mentioned
We don't know under whose authority all Of these
things have been done. The Governor is held respou-
sibe by street critics for most OF tie unusual pro-
ceeGngs Of the past few days. but unable per-
ceve how lie exercise control the Post Office
Treasury Departments Jr even the lesser bureaux
Of the Confederate Government. Nevertheless it is al
legged that he in command here, now, and directs al
the military movements except those of the troops of he
Provisional Army.
IL is unimportant for present purpose to know
who Is the responsible person. We wish only, in the
name Of common sense, and in behalf of the public, to
protest against Of the foei which have been per-
petrated by somebody. The folly of closing the Post
Office and Treasury Department to which We have re-
ferred acts Of wisdom compared with the hurried
march Of the city troops to Varins last week-a march
which would have exhausted regulars, accustomed to
fatigue and exposure. Men who have served under
Jackson were in the party, and they represent that the
departed hero required his soldiers to perform
such march, without rest We have not seen anybody
yet who has discovered the necessity for that tramp.
On Saturday, the aded and woaried citizenS Sere al
lowed to return to THEN homes but in the tsrnsOn
again summoned TO their rendezvous and marched
to Ire country, where they renamed at last &c
c2Un' e' joying themselves as best they could.
IC'Ge meantime, squads Of militia have been peram-
buIaus arrestng abseutee, and the "brisf
authori y, which Shakespeare SO faithfully llustra-
ted, has been exhibited 70 the full extent We hold it
to be the duty OF every citizen who is restrained by
the best of reasons to service to the country in
every emergency, but at the time we regard it as
worse than tyranny to condne citizens in that abomina
ble vermin infested plaoe styled Castle Thunder" OF
other offence than absence from the militia regiments
te which they may belong.
We consider impoli;C in the absence of immediate
DANGER to suspend business generally ha, been
DONE Why close the bank, or impress the clerks re
qured for conducting the business Why take away
from their places Of business the men who prepare
Government work" for the hundreds of poor women
who depend upon the scanty earnings from this
source for means Of obtaining their daily susenance
We hope that Dix and his party Of marauders will be
speedily used up, driven GU: o, the country by Gen.
Hills men, in order that ell pretext for the anomalous
condition OF ailds here may beSemoved In this hope,
we are sure, every good ctiIshwill prAyeriuy uut.