Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-01-16
FROM WASHINGTON.

THURSDAY, Jan. s, 1868.
The adverse news to-day from Vicksburg
naturally casts a shadow here; but it
must be that Grant or Banks will reinforce
Sherman.
Last night the Treasury Department lost
two from among ito Oldest and most valuable
officers by death. Hon. ELISHA WHITTLEs-
EY, First Comptroller Of the Treasury, was a
native Of Connecticut, who in early manhood
removed to Ohio In 1917 be entered Con-
gress, and after serving one session was made
Chairman Of the Committee Of Claims, which
post he held until he left Congress, in lS4l,
to enter upon the Office of Sixth Auditor in
the Treasury. His position in Congress was
one most laborious, most delicate and most
responsible, requiring care on the one hand 20
do exact justice to thousands Of claimants on
the Treasury, and watchfulness on the other
TO protect the Government against frauds. |
believe no man ever bad occasion to doubt his
integrity and purity Of intenton--none to
question his industry; and Congress always
gave the fullest confidence to his reports
Many claimants, heart-siek from hope defer
red, we're by him made glad, through his vol
untary labors to hun, up proofs Of their
claims which they could not procure, while
the Government often was indebted to him
for discovering proofs Of unjust or liquidated
claims, which but for his labor never would
have been discovered. Mr.. Whittlesey re-
NAMED Auditor until the incoming of John
Tyler, when | think he retired, with many of
the Wing officers Of that day. During Pierce's
administration land Il is the best thing done
in it, Mr. w. was called to the First Comp
irollership Of the Treasury-thst is to say,
money ; and in that place he continued TIL
shortly after the Inauguration of Mr.. Bueban-
an The Comptroller then had occasion to
remove an unfaithful clerk Buchanan restor-
ed him, and the Comptroller instantly resign
cd. Upon the Inauguration Of President
Lincoln Mr.. Whitiesey was again placed in
the Comptrollership, and performed tho du-
ties Of the office until last evening. lie re-
tired at ten o'clock in apparent health, and
when prepared for rost, dropped upon his
bed dead, at the age Of eighty years. For
forty years he was a faithful servant Of the
people, and Tor far longer time than that |
believe he was faithful servant of his God.
SO, as shock Of corn fully ripe, was he
gathered by the Great Husbsndman. 1t was
my fortune to become a member in the same
family with him when | entered Congress,
and at once 10 learn TO esteem and treat him
as father and friend. 1t has been my for
tune also to be assigned to the same laborious
service in which he was many years en-
gagged, aud will add that at my solicitation
he drew up letter on the rules which should
guide the committeeman need not say
that it was useful and important. The Gov
eTnment and the country have lost good
nan-an officer rarely to be equalled and
neyer to be surpassed in the positions he has
bod.
Hon. RICHARD Ely was native OF New
Hampshire, and he entered the Treasury De
partment as clerk nearly thirty years ago,
and by fitness and fidelity rose to the chief
Ship of one Of the departments. lie was a
gentleman OF unaffected modesty, great cru
diion, and high personal character, and hav-
ing retained his position through all the
changes of party, it may well be concluded
ihat he was valuable public servant
The House yesterday refused. by small
majority, to table the bankrupt bill. dc
not think this was a test vote 1t rather in
dicates defect of the bill. Possibly an aoi
ier voluntary bankruptcy may pass but
doubt even that
The anniversary Of the battle of New Or
fepns was remembered to-day. and motor
was made in the House to adjourn. Tn,
House refused--thus honoring the day, a.
Gen Jackson himself did, by laboring in th'
service of the country, am for occasiona
holidays when there is ample time-for "al
work and no play"i is as bad for Member
81 Congress as for younger boys but th
snort session, under present exigencies Of tn
pubic service, should be an industrious on
as think this is to be.
majority Of the committee of the Way
ana Means has agreed upon fnancia
scheme but not Secretary Chase's. Tn
committee has reported adversely to one Q
the schemes for banking upon government
paper.
You will remember that last summer IN
N y. Tribune charged the committee q
fnn'Ing' or Gales aud Seaton, or somebod,
orcverybody with "a job"-"bribery and co,
ruption;' or rather, threw GU, such s,u
loosely, to be put where the reader of ths
paper pleased | demanded an inyest;gat;o,