The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-04-16
COMMUNICATIONS.

WASHINGTON. d. c. April II. IS

To the Edftor Of fAe Press
The case of Mr.. Darius Forbes. recently dis
charged from clerkship in the Interior De-
partment, has been for some time past the
subject OF lively interest among the Maine
men in Washington. As the circumstances
concerning his removal from Office are some
what variously related, take the liberty to
oiier you version as it came to me, without
in the least vouching for its correctness
During the absence OF the Commissioner of
Pensions, SO runs my story, an old claim many
times presented before and as often decided
adversely, was once more resurrected aud
very strongly urged for favorable decision.
The case was delayed by advice of Mr.. Forbes
until the return of the Commissioner, when
by his orders and in accordance with the usa-
ges OF the office, Mr.. L. went TO Baltimore.
where he obtained the evidence necessary to
give the case an effectual quetus. Soon after
and without any reason assigned, Mr.. Forbes
was dismissed.
Several distinguished members of the Maine
delegation now call upo the Hon. Secretary
of the Interior with request for an explana-
ton. They are informed that the removed
officer has been charged with improperly
meddling with affairs of legislation. The
friends OF Mr.. +. retire but return in due time
with evidence that a certain visit made some
time previous TO the House Committee on
Pensions, was by order of the Commissioner
mittee for some information respecting the
business OF the Pension Office. The Secretary
signifies TO his distinguished visitors that he
is satisfied with the explanation, and his read
ness TO reinstate Mr.. 4.
Soon, however, the Vice President receives
a note saying that the conduct OF Mr.. FORBES
Ia Baltimore, as has been discovered, was un-
becoming an officer of the government and
such as TO make his restoration unadvisable-
M fba
upon the Head of the Interior, with evidence
going to show that he must have been misin-
formed, and that Mr.. F's conduct on the occa-
sion referred to was quite proper and exem-
plary. The msisterial mind being thus again
cleared OF misapprehensons, blandly signifies
its readiness TO turn the illumination Of its fa-
vor once more upon our friend under cloud.
But the end OF troubles is not yet. Soon
another note comes. 1t appears that Mr.. +.
is personally unacceptable TO the gentlemen
Of the bureau from which he has been dis
charged. Doubtless some malicious person
or persons unknown, in whose light Mr.. F's
official duty has at some time compelled him
to stand, are busy urging upon the Secretary
statements OF their own fabrication. Once
more the evidence has, in Mrs. Partington's
phrase, to be 'rebuttered," a necessity which,
considering the present prices of the mild and
ungIous condiment might well move the kind
old lady's compassion and lead her more than
ever TO reflect how sad it is that in a world SO
full of smooth and nimble lies 1.-THE truth will
not go without buttering. The thing, however,
is done and Mr.. F. stands approved, by conclu-
sive documents as quite agreeable and ac-
ceptable to his late companions in ollce.-
Again he finds himself upon the high road to
fortune, the face of power bcaming benignant-
ly upon him.
But, alas he stumbles at the first step. 1t
has been discovered by somebody that he had
spoken words that make it impossible for him
10 hold any Office in the Department OF the In
terror. This fourth side of the case is the
hardest to "butter" of any that has yet turned
up Smooth words are as Intellectual 10 that
end as they have always proved to grease the
proverbial parsnips and, even evidence that
the language attributed to Mr.. Forbes was
never used by him, is of no avail. The mind
of tue Honorable Secretary, long iinpelled this
way and that by conflicting and contradictory
evidence, is at last weary of vibrating, and at
Just the wrong end of the arc becomes still
and quite immovable. A polite but very pos
tive note to one of the Maine delegation, say
ing that favor will be conferred by making
no farther allusion to the subject, and express
ing readiness to appoint any other gentleman
TO the place whom he may recommend, closes
the correspondence. Mr.. Forbes however,
not at all extinguished, soon receives an ap
pointment from the Sanitary Commission as
al agent 70 manage IeuslOn cases lor III al u
salary OF two thousand dollars-an advance of
two hundred above his former pay. Having
no knowledge Of the facts in the case, can
not say how near the truth or how far from il
the statements above related may be-
For some time past the House has been
holding Saturday sessions for the express pur-
purpose of speech-making. Last Saturday,
however, was !" field day" The subject OF
discussionwas a resolution to expe Mr.. Long,
.,f fAr Of In ia. 10
fore. The question was vigorously debated
on both sides for some time, until in reply to
manly and eloquent argument for expul-
son by Gen. Garfield, Mr.. Harris, of Mary
land, obtained the floor and began TO pour
out his disloyal sentiments without let or
hindrance. He soon so far exceeded any
thing said the day before as quite TO super
sede the original question in the attention of
the House. have seldom seen more excite
ment in that body than while, embodened by
impunity, he proceeded to insult it more and
more with his treason. And now the scene
grows in interest momentariy. The Democrat
ic members are very generally in their seats,
and more than once or twice general laugh
testines the satisfaction with which they
listen. The Union members cluster stand
ing in front of the Speaker and in the central
aisle, sternly regarding the blatant secession
ist. Gen. Garfield is in his place chafng with
indignation. Winter Davis, cool outside
seems restless with suppressed excitement
and Gen. Schenck leans back in his seat. his
military overcoat buttoned closely, watching
proceedings with lowering brow. BY and
by at some utterance somewhat more out.
rageous than the rest, point Of order is
raised, the orator is squelehed, a resolution to
expel him is introduced by Mr.. Washburne
Pendeton and Cox, the crack managers o
the Democratic side, vie with each other il
their efforts 10 stave Off the final vote. II
comes, however, and though 81 vote for ex
pulsion to So against, the resolution fails o
the necessary two-thirds vote. In a moment
Schenck is on his feet and offers a resolution
of censure as strongly drawn as possible
After more flllibustering a vote is reaches
and the resolution is passed by a vote of 93 t
IS, and, clinched by a motion to reconsider
laid upon the table. If Harris keeps his seat
he certainly is not thin-skinned. The case o