davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06
General Blair

General Blair!
The Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, Of Pennsyl.
vania, offered the following in Congress the
other day, which was afterwards substantially
adopted, a. coming from Mr.. Dawes, Of Mas
sachuserts, chairman of the Committee on
Elections:
Whereas, A general order of the War De-
partment, dated April IS, 1854, assigns Ma
jor General Blair to tho command of the 18th
army corps therefore,
RESOLVED, By the Senate and House OF
Representatives, That the President be re-
quested, if not inconsistent with the public
interests, to inform them whether F. P. Blair
is q Major General, and If so, when he was
appointed; and whether said F.. P. Blair re-
signed his commission Of Major General be-
fore he took his seat In Congress, and what
action wal taken on such resignation.
The country is indignant at the ~unconsti-
tutional and illegal appointment of Frank P.
Blair. The facts are briefly these: Frank
Blair resigned his commission as . Major
General of volunteers some time ago, to take
his seat in Congress as q Representative Of
the st. Louis District. That resignation was
accepted, and ipso facto Frank Blair was out
of the service as much as we are. Finding
that he might be turned out of Congress by
reason of the fraudulent votes which had
been returned for him, he got som influence
to bear to induce the President to cancel the
acceptance of his resignation, and Edward
Bates, Attorney General, to say the President
had a right to do it
1t is o self-evident inconsistency. Blair
was out of the service; he has been at his
seat on the Copperhead side of the House
for months. Ntz John Porter, after being
cashiered, might have been reinstated uith.
out the consent Of the Senate, as well as
Frank Blair. The Constitution and the laws
require that . Major General shall be appoint.
ed by the President by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate. The Senate has
had nothing to do with this appointment Of
Frank Blair. 1t would reject him instantly
were his name sent in, and that is the very
reason Blair determined upon this trick.
There is still another most unpleasant
phase to this singular performance. A day
or two before Frank Blair left the House he
made q bitter personal assault upon Secretary
Chase, in whom the people of the country
repose as great q degree of confidence IS in
any other member Of the Cabinet. 1t looks
like an insult to him to send Blair off to an
important command Immediately on the eve
of his attack on the Secretary-an attack
vehemently applauded by the Fernando
Woods of the House alone.
No person can be more friendly to Mr.. Lin
coin thar we are, but we bitterly lament and
deplors his friendship for such men as Blair.
The Senate should refuse to confirm a single
nomination till this action in regard to Blair
be rescinded by the President. It is too
much that the States Of this Union, repre-
sented in the Senate, should be made to pay
Difference to the trickery of a man whose
vern name is a stencil in the nostrils of the
nation.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06
f-sy- The House has appointed q committe,

t- The House has appointed q committee
of nine-fve Union and four Dcmocrats-to
investigate the charges made against the
Treasury Department by Frank P. Blair and
James Brooks. The latter is one Of the COM
mittee. OF course it will be no whitewash-
ing affair and it viii afford Mr.. Chase m op-
portunity he has long desired, of refuting the
ISLANDERS against him, which have been freely
repeated in Congress and in the press. D
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

CHARACTER IS PowER.-It is often said
that knowledge is power-an and this is true.
Skill or faculty of any kind carries with it
superiority. So, to a certain extent, wealth,
is power , trsns and 'n Mt a;f, is is p power, and ossg genius msn
But higher, purer, and better than all, more
constant in its influence, more lasting in its
sway, is the power Of character-that power
which emanates from a pure and lofty mind.
Take any community, who is the man of
most influence? To whom do all look up
with r%everences Not the "smartest" man,
nor the cleverest politician, nor the most bril-
liant talker, but he, wh,, in a long course Of
tried by the extremes Of prosperity and adver-
sity, has approved himself to the judgment of
his neighbors, and of all who have seen his
life, as worthy to be called wise and good.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

THos. HuauEs ALL RIauT.-A As we were
about writing a notice of the death Of Thos
Hughes, Quartermaster Of the 2sth Iowa In
fantry, We were rejoiced to here that his fam.
lily had received information which satisfied
them that he was alive and well. This viii
rejoice our city very much, and remove a ter.
rible grief from his family. -Lowa City Re-
publican, 4th. fG 4 =
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

H- Newfoundland is said to be q country
without a reptile, and the Chattanooga Ga
sstte says Vallandigham is a reptile without
q country he ought to !" move " to Newfound.
land.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

t- Representative Wilson, Of Iowa, evi.
IDENTIFY believes that Congress has some work
to do and that it is time to be about it. He
has twice before yesterday attempted to in.
troduce q resolution for holding night ses-
sioas, but was unsuccessful in both cases.
Yesterday, however, he introduced his reso.
luton for the third time, and the House
agreed to it by q very decisive vote.-Spring-
field Republican, 1871.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

Col. NEwBoLD.-The telegraph announces
was killed at the battle on Red river a few
days ago. Col. Newbold went out as cap
tain of a company raised in the Southern
part of this county. When at home he was
a most worthy and exemplary citizen, and
since he entered the army none"have stood
higher as an officer. His death lisa serious
loss to the service, aud a sad blow to his fam
lily and friends.-M. Pleasant Journal.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06


JUST As WE ExPEcrED.-When the Courier
declared its editor had the names of four
prominent Republicans who had urged SOL
diers to mob that Office, we promptly chal.
lenged it to give the names to the public
We have repeated the challenge several times
Five issues Of that paper have appeared since
this announcement, and not a word has it
said in reference to our challenge. The rea.
son is it told a deliberate ~falsehood, and
sneakingly avoids confessing it. Its editor
wished to make 1t appear that he had some
reason for his great scare about the first of
April, and SO he concocted this wilful and
malicious Islander on his political opponents.
The public now understand this matter. It
has turned out just ~ we expected.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06
To Farmers.

Below we give the outlines Of what is ex.
pected Of Q farmer in making his income re-
turn. The example was made up in 1862.
The prices of produce for 1868, will be very
different. AN the products of the farm must
be accounted for-those used in the family
as well as sold. Papers On which returns
are to be made are now ready for delivery,
at my office, in fremont building.
All old Licenses must nou be renewed,
and when persons are about to begin any
business they must make application for
licenses to GEO. MEAsoN,
U. s. Asst Assessor.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

"WHAT! TWENTY FIVE MILLIONS IN THREE
MINUTES ?"-That was the exclamation Of
Brooks, of the New York Express, in his
seat in Congress, on the passage of the bill
appropriating $25, 900, 900 to feed, clothe and
equip the troops furnished by the Western
States. And why not in three minutes? -
If in anything, "'twere well it were done
quickly" surely here was case. We have
no doubt Copperheads at the North and trait
ors at the South, all will echo Brooks excla-
nation, for nothing so terrifes disloy atty as a
blow quickly struck. The House refused to
sustain q call for the Yeas and Nays, and 10y
atty bore down all opposition. Well may the
foes of the Union stand appalled, and screech
in their venom
WHAT! TWENTY-FIVE MILLIONS IN THREE
M1NuTEsl
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

For the assistance of farmers in making
out their Income Returns, we copy the fol-
lowing "example":
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06
EVENING SESSION.

Mr.. Schenck asked leave to offer q resolu.
ton calling on the President to furnish copies
Of oil letters, notes, kilograms aud other doc.
uments referred to in his message of today,
in connection with the answer to the inquiry
whether Mr.. F. Blair holds any appointment,
or commission in the service Of the United
States.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

anu IL Will HOt 10 uoW W TcpuulhLt tIlt aCt VI
their agent. He was satisfied that the public
would come to the same conclusion.
Mr.. Highly maintained that the charge of
criminality against the Treasury officials was
not sustained by the facts. -o.s
Mr.. Clay, a member of the Select Commit
tee, said Mr.. Blair wa completely exhonor-
ated from the charge against him, but he did
not agree with the gentleman Mr.. Highly as
to Treasury officers. He concluded by say
ing that Powers was the forger. The report
and evidence have been ordered printed.
Mr.. Dawes, of Mass, offered a resolution
calling upon the President to communicate to
the House copies Of all letters, notes, orders,
telegrams and other documents Which are re-
ferred to in his message of yesterday, which
have connection with the answer to the reso-
luton asking whether F. P. Blair holds any
appointment or commission IN the military
service.
A move to lay the resolution on the table
was negatived-39 to "a. Z.
MIR. Brooks, of New York, offered an
amendment, which was read, that the Presi-
ident communicate to the House, as soon as
possible. all vouchers or dispositions in his
possession Of the Treasury Department re-
speeding the fitting up of a Bureau in the
Treasury Department building for printing
money bonds or other obligations for the
United States.
MIR. Schenck emphatically objected to its
being acted upon, as it had nothing to do
with the pending resolution.
Mr.. Brooks commenced to speak and ex-
plain his object in offering the amendment,
but he was called to order, and the Speaker
decided he was not in order.
Mr.. Brooks offered another resolution, pre-.
coded by a preamble, calling for the appoint
ment Of a committee to examine into areport
the condition of the Treasury Department,
and especially as to the bureau wherein are
notes, bonds and other obligations Of
the United States, with power to employ ex-
perts, and that tho committee suggest or
recommend such changes for facilitating
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06
WASHINGTON. Nav

WASHINGTUN, Muy y.
An officer formerly of the 18th North Caro-
lima, brought here to-day, having been cap
tured on the Potomac, says that the general
belief in Richmond is, that Lees entire army
at present numbers about fifty thousand, and
Longstreet, who was at Charlottesville when
he left, had twenty thousand. He states,
should Richmond be beseiged, they could
not hold out one month. The Republican
says it begins to be feared in high military
quarters that Lee is endeavoring to escape
from the Rapidan to works in the neighbour
hood IF Richmond
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

The Herald's New Orleans letter, Of the
26,h ult., confirms the statement that Gen.
Banks had fallen back to Alexandria IN con-
sequence of low water in Red river.
All our gunboats and transports, except
the Eastport, were down below the Falls.
Six gunboats, which went up the Black
and Washita rivers to Monroe, returned with
2 900 bales of cotton and 900 contrabands,
besides conveying the steamer Ruby, with
4SO more contrabands.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

WASHINGTON, May ..
Much damage has been done in this vicini-
Ity by the violent rain storm which continued
all last night. All army operation must
necessarily be suspended. srt5 r.
The House Naval Committee will endeavor
to decide upon the site for the new navy
yard tomorrow morning.
It is expected the Committee on Elections
will make a report on the Blair correspond
ence. BIAS. Z
Everything quiet on the Rapidan.
The Senate Naval Committee is considering
the propriety Of increasing payments TO con-
tractors for iron clad vessels, provided the
work can be speedily completed.
Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-05-06

Oeuate 5 6uleuuLNeutS W tue DILL eSIdUlISuluE
a bureau of Military Justice, the Senate, al
ESQ, adjourned.
HousE.-Mr. Schenck, of Ohio, from the
Committee of Military Affairs, reported a bill
providing that on and after the LIST of May
next, the pay of privates in the army, shall
be increased from $13 to SIG a month, and of
non-commissioned officers as follows: Cgr.
porala. $l8; Sergeants, $40; Orderly Ser.
geants, $24; Sergeant Majors, $26 per month
Clerks to Paymasters, $1,000 per annum,
and so forth.
Mr.. Schenck moved the previous question,
and was about to explain the bill when Mr..
Cox asked his colleague to withdraw the de-
mand so as to allow him to amend the bill by
increasing the pay of private soldiers to $1S
per month, and non-commissioned officers to
$40. Even this would hardly be enough to
keep pace with the increase in price of the
necessaries of life for soldiers families. His
lCox'sl friends on his side of the House Of
fered this in good faith.
Mr.. Schenck declined to comply, having
been instructed by the Committee to urge
the present. IS, oms ,.f
Mr.. Dawson appealed to Mr.. Schenck. He
was chairman of the Democratic caucus, and
desired to offer that which that caucus had
agreed to offer for the soldiers. ,et
Mr.. Schenck replied: IF the Democratic
caucus was more numerous than the Union
caucus they could vote down the motion for
the previous question.
Mr.. Schenck proceeded to explain the bill.
Both the Senate and House having acted on
the proposition to equalize the pay Of white
and colored soldiers, the Committee G n
Military Affairs had principally confined
themselves to the increasing of the pay. In
the course of his remarks he said it was pro-
posed to amend the formerl law so that officers
may have leave of absence for causes other
than sickness and wounds without reduction
of pay and allowance, and absences shall not
exceed 30 days in any n year. The ration
of 1861 is restored, making a reduction of one
dollar and thirty-nine cents = month. This
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-20
DISTRICT CONVENTION.

The call of the Committee for the District
Convention to nominate member of Congress
for the Third District appears in our col
umns to-day.
1t is well known that the name of the Hon.
GEORGE F. EDMUSDs of this place has been for
several years prominently before the voters
Of this District as the one TO be brought for
ward for member of Congress when suita-
bic time should come. HIS nomination was
urged by many eight years ago, but gave
place to the nomination Of Hon. HONER
(. ROYCE, who SO ably represented the
District for the next four years. The Hon.
PoRTUs BAxrER's name had also at that time
been considerably before the people, and
pretty wide impression prevailed that he
would be elected TO succeed Mr.. Royce after
he. Mr.. R., had served for the customary
two terms. Mr.. Baxter was supported ac-
cOrdingly for both his first and second terms,
with great unannity. We bad never sup
posed however, that there was any exPecra-
ton that he would receive third nonina-
ton, and We were surprised to rec it propo-
sd by the St. Adams Messenger a few days
ago.
Wemust not be understood as saying word
10 dispaagement Of Mr. Baxtcr-like all
the VI. Delegation be has done his duty
fai.hlully,-jut we can see no reason why
the long US ,ge Of the district 10 elect mem
Der for only two terms should be changed
in this case. No possible good could come
Of such a change, and we ART sure that I'D
feeling-produotive Of future mischief
would be cngendcrcd in the District by So
rious attempt to bring it about
On the great ability and high character Of
Mr.. Rdmunds NJ legislator We need ot
enlarge at this time 1t is we'll known 10
the people Of the District and ri the cntuc
STATE. No man has stood before iim in our
Legislative hall for many years past, ard
that be would take O. high rank in Congress
Is not 70 bc doubted. We believe that IL
ha, been expected widely in the District thar
he would be nominated and elected 20 Con-
gees at the next election That tle voters
o. thi- County will be strongly IN his uyor
We cannot doubt for a moment.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-20
UNION NATIONAL CONVENTION.

The undeIs .rnc1. whr hv ori -iral appointment
"a SEQ eut designation 20 ill vtc1ncies const
tg'e fhe Exrcu' ve e MN 'tfce created hv the W.
ii"nrl & uventiuu held 80 Chicago on the 18th da,
a. Nav as 3D. DO herr'a call unnn al qualiie vot
.rs " hn de-irc the u1cuu itianal npirtenanre Of
the lui' = the supremacy 4 The Gonstiiuti and
the 'npeie -unYrs - the existing re- 81 ion
with D." ctusc th"re,f hy Nis"r, us war AMI all ait
an Efficient means To- send delegates o. q c,nven.
ii'n - @s-s-n le ~ rNITtprRF. az IFS 'AY
T ~ SEVENTH nay OF JTNF ~ ar ~ a'clrct
noon f'r the D lrpns" # prsseniirg candidates {
H." ofiic-s Of President aui Nic- President - me
Tinted safes o. ci Stafe hnvin. representation
in f"n srrss vii 'e ont Ted many delegates rs
sh1il Dee tpntl t. tive. fhe mn nher nf electors a.
which su-h stat is entitled IN the Electoral College
Of TIE n t-,i stree
EDWIN MORGAN Ncw York Chairman.
fUARLE T. GGtNNN Maine.
9. m AINHRfs N.rrn.ut
GppnRf~u " ,--4rl,usetts
nVNSG TUNER Ri.-l" Island
eide y r. fE- Connecticut
hrNNtNti 90 3 NrE I-r-et
EbW N"' N,P iFRS'N P,un>y l,auia.
>NI7HrRS I'-l,warc.
g.. wagner Nur, band
TIiuNA> So t't e ohio
70. LANE. lrdi.',t
S'uf 'Lf-''N ~il. Kentucky
Pr.E fli-,,5s
UrR .tET - upNfF iowa
ATTN ur.NlH Michigan.
Ct0L rtfi " .--.us.n.
70 H. WIS., IRN R-rr.s1'e
%" NEiITS COLE Gal f,rril
WiL.fN" 4. pIlL'f s.. kansas
%. % 'rISH N.-ri-La
Jrar1IGE HARD. ni-tric Columbia
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-20

\ surgeon OF the Goth n. Y. regiment.
who wac captured with coo Others in the
three days fight and subsequently paroled.
came into our lines Saturday with the body
OF Gen. Wadswarth, which had been inter
red by the order Of Gen. lee in q neat o In.
lie also -aw Gen. Longsircet in his tent. lie
Il wounded IN he Collar bone The wound
was not mortal, but would iucapacitate him
for active duty for some time Gen j. +.
B. Stuart was not down at Richmond at the
time Gen. StGidan was tLtre, hut was near
there and Is now in Gen. Lee army IN
hurt
Ine rebel loss is Tremendous. but there is
no indication Of their glvAg up Yet. The
rebel lines are well supplied by lines Of inte-
rl1r works anu more are being constructed.
Ten. Lee has NOT been wounded. a. IN.
Surgeon saw anu talked with on Fridfv 8.
wien he gave in Jyimiss!un ~ lake he
bJdy Of Gen. WadsWoEth
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-20
WAsHISeToS, Nay Il.

In the Chicago Journal there appeared
last week letter from New York on the
Presidential question. From all the writer
can learn he is satiefrd that the Baltimore
Convention will on the first ballJt give the
votes Of sixteen States for Mr.. Lincoln and
IF three States against him. lie sums up
the probable vote as follows: For Mr.. Lin
culn ass votes againss Mr.. Lincoln. Sc
votes. And where good reader. do you think
he gctshis Sc votes? Why from Ma saehuset;s
"a, Missouri %. and VERMONT 10, 80. Pos
si5iy, Missouri will throw her votes against
Mr.. Lincoln bot Massachusetts, will Do no
such thing. nor Vermont either. unless her
delegates arc traitors to the people.
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-20

Our neighbor vt the Times. which cane
out the other day with bitter TRADE against
the Administration, full of the same carping
and scurrillous spirit that inspires the Nao
Era and the copperhead Press. and which,
perhaps, really supposed that the people Of
Vermont in Mass Convention could be pre-
vented from expressing their approval of Mr.
Lincoln and desire for his denomination,
thinks, or says, as OF course it would, that
the State Convention on Tuesday was = con-
trolled by the ofice-holdtrs." As on fgur-
ing up, however. it can only make out that
one third Of the Convention were ofhce-hold-
ers, or friends of ofice-hOlders. We do not sec
how very bad case of official dictation can
be made ont.
The men who composed the commuters,
made the motions and speeches, and conduct
ed the discussions of the Convention, were
with rery few excepti1ns) anything but
othce-hoiders and to claim that the Conyen-
ton wac controlled by oficc-holders, l. u as
scrt that the large number Of prominent cit
liens Of the State, who were the controlling
minds Of the Convention, are themselves IN
der the thumb of the Government officials
The truth sand the public understand it,
that this talk about ofice-holding influence,
lie simply the growing of sore headed sspi-
rants for office, who desire a new scramble
for government patronage
The TINES alludes alsi To Hon +. ?. WAL
rl>, in a very uncalled for and abusive way
Mr Walton j. ahundantly able 70 take care
of himself, hat wo may say ,bat hi, selection
a, deitg,te-in itself every way suitable
was. vc suppose. IN q measure due To the
f.ct than 800 ISSUE bad been mlJc. or at
tempted 3, Pc made, 20 Washington County,
between tte two republican paper, tiers, Oh
tie question Of Mr. Lincoin'- denomination,
and IN L. other way could tine Convention
have more effectively rebukei the spirit Of
fiult-dudins opposition to the Atmini-,ra-
,iun.
Mr Weldon ciu afford TO ''so right on. "
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-20
District Convention.

4 Mass Convention # the Freemon of the
Third CorSrcss.onal District Of Vermont. with
on; distinction Of Pnty, viii be hell at Hyde
park, On Thursl y the q day Of June. 1864, at
10 O'Clock. A. NJ, TO nominate candidate for
Congress FIR sail strict, to be supported at the
ensuing election; Sls7, 70 appoint District Dele
glirs 10 the National Convention to be held At
3 .l,more on The 9Th Day Of juno. 1861. 70 nom
inate a canl'li'c fir President and Vice Presi-
dent Of tho Uutel States, 20 be supported at the
cnsu NJ e'ce'ion An who are in flror of sus-
timing the Government in is Efforts TO suppress
thc rebellion. anil 20 ma ntlin the Union in its
integrity. are cordially invited to attend
Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-20

Tar LATEST NEws this thursday luYrn-
ing from the Army OF the Potomac is that
Gen Grant Wis heavily reiniorced, ana would
%, doubt, attack Ire again at once.
Gcn Sieei. having encountered the re--l=
unirr Echols ami lmbodrn, At Newmarket in
the Shenandoah Valley, was compelled TO re-
tire Co Synshurs- having Inst 6uU killed and
wounded, and five guns bat bringing Of all
the wounded and trains, aud retiring IN good
o-l,r
ca Oh, liJh our fleet at Charleston. under
Aimiryl DIhlsren, made an attack on the
rebel fort On james and Sullivan Islands All
the monitors were engaged. The result mas
not yet been learned