Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-05-14
GOV. PelrpOInt vs. CEN. butter.

The opposition papers publish the man
ifesto of Gov. Peirpoint Of Virginia against
Gen. B. F. Butler. It is addressed to the
President and Congress, and is a formid-
able document in size. 1t is also import.
ant in subject matter, aud will probably
lead to a congressional investigation, as it
should. The Washington Chronicle dep.
tecates any investigation or discussion of
the case while Gen. Butler is sin the m ;dst
Of battle" fears the public mind would be
demOralized by considering it now, and
asks for a p0ttpouemeut till the war is
over. This is new hypothesis to propose
to Congress, which has thought it import.
ant to put our officers on trial for their
military as we'll as their general couduct.
There is no force in the Ctronicie's reasons
for wishing 10 make General Buffers case
exceptional. Gov. Peirpoint charges very
gross abuses upon Gen. Butler at Norfolk,
such as not only iavOlve great injustice to
individuals but serious damage to the
cause of the Union. Gen. ButlSr and his
friends should, not attempt to prevent an
investigation. II the charges cannot be
sustained an investigation will not damage
Gen. Butler, but any attempt to prevent it
will lead to a general suspicion that he
dares not meet the facts.
Most of Gov. Pierpsiurs complaints a re
Of extortion practicsi upon the people of
Norfolk, aud especially the merohauIs,-
The amounts in which they are mulcted
on various pretenses go to what is called
the "prOvOsL msrshal's fund" bot Cover.
nor Peirpoint can find no evidence that
they reach the United States Treasury.
Gov. Peirpoint speaks well OF Gen. Burnes'
administration of affairs at Norfolk, aud
says that when Gen. Butler arrived civil
affairs were getting iSio good condition
apd the laws were admintstered by the
proper officers. But Gen. Bntler swept
aside all the civil power aud brought every
thing under military rule. Tue CHIEF fsa.
ture of the new rule is represented to be
the extraction of money tor everything
one per cent on all goods brought into the
district; from i've to ten dollars for the
clearance of a vessel; dollar monthly for
the privilege of taking oysters, and very
heavy amounts for licenses TO sell liquors
The chief grievances seem to be connect.
ed with this business. Loyal Ylrgini.
ans are driven out of II on various pre-
tences, their liquors coufscated and
sold, and Massachusetts men given
monopoly of the trade, who charge
two or three hundred per cent more than
the Baltimore prices of liquors, and are
said to share the profits with "Ibe provost
marshaPs fund" Gen. Buffers seizure of
the Norfolk gas works is denounced by
Coy. PeiFpoiut as fragrant wrong. The
owners had taken the oath and there was
no evidence of disloyalty brought against
them, but Gen. Butler chose to say that he
doubted the sincerity OF their professIoDs
and SO took possession of their property,
aud now makes the citizens pay double
price for gas. There are also several in.
stances OF the seizure of plate belonging
to persons not charged with disloyaIty, and
all efforts to recover it are iutIIe. The
silver and wine of Mr.. Bilesolly, president
OF savings bank, were taken, aud Gen.
Bntler sent the old gentleman to Jail for
making imPudent answers 70 some of his
impudeot' questions, aud has kept him
there for months, with not even blanket
to sleep on, and has refused 10 let his wife
tnrnish him with bedding. Toe ..New Re
gime," Gen Buffers organ, isprinted aud
edited by soldiers paid Uy the government,
at cost OF $4,000 per year, as Gov. PER-.
point figures out, which makes IL a very
cheap enterprise. Gov. Peirpoint also crii.
icisea the military administration OF Gen.
Butler, and states that the raid on Rich.
mond was known aud publicly talked about
in Norfolk ten days before il started, and,
yet Gen. Butler hadeA soldier shot for re-.
Vealing it at yorktown long afier it got To
Richmond from Norfolk These are q few
specimens of Gov. Peirpoints complaints.
He SAYS he ia RatisfiAd thar Rutiasi, ,,,Iae
has done an immense damage 10 the Unf6u
cause ia Virginia. Let US have an investi.
CATION by all means. and let Gor. Peis-
point have chance TO prove his charges,
Is is hardly Just 10 him 10 set him ut the
unprnmisiDg work Of ''reconstruciing"
Eastern Virginia, and then allow Gen Rnt.
Ter to knock out the moral props Of his en-.
lerprise in this style.