Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-07-14
From Washington.

readers L can WEILc
From Washington
THE Resignation of Mr. Chase-7he Faults and
Weaknesses of the late Seereta'y-1Bette''
Things Expected Of Mr.. Fessende'a- Closing
Hours of Conqress-IHe Cabinet-Wiscon
sin Faue per cent Fmd-Comfdet,ce IN Grant
COL Poole and CoL ANe1a-Ie1m1 Of Scr
vjce of tie Fifth Wisconsin Expired. -,
Correspondence OF the State Journal.
..r WASHINGTON, July l, 1864
The resignation of Mr.. Chase yesterday
took everybody by surprise, and for time
occasioned some sensation; but it is follow
ed by feeling of relief and even satisfac-
ton, since Senator Fessenden has been ap-
pointed his successor. No one was more
surprised to find him out of office than the
distinguished Secretary himself He had so
long been accustomed to have his imperious
and frequently unreasonable demands grant
ed both by the President and Congress, and
had come to regard himself so indispensable
to the Administration, that he could continue
to dictate his own terms He demanded ex-
elusive control in all matters pertaining to
the New 1Ork sub treasury, as he has here
tofore in the Custom House; he wished to put
Mr.. Field in place of Mr.. Cisco; Mr.. Lincoln
advised otherwise; Mr.. Chase demanded it as
his exclusive prerogative, and for the second
or third time rendered his resignation, ex-
pecting, of course, cOnciliatory Father Abra-
ham would yield as usual, but this was the
Feather which broke the overladen cancels
back" he was taken at his word, and while
at the capitol engaged with the Finance
Committee, not dreaming of any change, the
name of his successor was sent in. ..a.
Whatever may be said Of Mr.. Chase's abil-
ity and integrity, his imperious temper, his
arrogance, his logged determination to have
his own way regardless of his friends his
towering ambition, his utter inability to dis
criminate character, unfit him for a safe
administration Of position OF patronage and
power. No department of the government
has so many corrupt and unprincipled attaches
and none has Ostered more traitors and rebel
sympathisers than the Treasury under his ad-
ministration. When his attention was called
by the Potter Committee of Congress to the
I0UUIo r,ts pa sriIoIU,
| piled, eff he was not competent to determine
| his own business, Congress had better take
| charge of it," When distinguished Senator
| called upon him to demonstrate against his
retaining a known corrupt assistant, he re-
| piled in high temper, 81 do not thank any
one to talk to me thus about my assistants.
| BY Hattery and deceit, innumerable agents
| have obtained his confidence and been en-
ployed, (under the extraordinary powers con-
| ferred upon him by Congress- whose moral,
| political and financial characters would dis
honor any government. His trade regula-
| tions have been a most fertile source of adj
vantage to the rebels and of disaster to our
arms, while the persons selected to admins
| ter them have caused the valleys of the Ohio
ha
with loyal curses against political, moral and
official delinquency.
Gen. Washburne has interposed the strong
arm of military power at Memphis, but the
evil has been incalculable and still continues
from Cincinnati to New Orleans, save within
his jurisdiction, as well as at Norfolk, Beau
fort, and all down the Atlantic coast. If Mr.
Fessenden accepts the position, his character
affords some guaranty of change for the
better. The corruptions within the Depart
ment, which have been whtewashed and
smothered by a recent committee and the
schemes of fraud so long carried on under
"permits," &C., will receive a wholesome
check under the new administration while
the National credit will sustain no damage by
the rupture which has so long been threaten
ed and finally occurred.
Congress is in the last throes of dissolu-
ton and few more days will close its inhar-
monious but not fruitless session. | am more
than gratifed that it has finally wiped out
the infamous fugitive slave law, though it
could not adopt the constitutional amend
ment prohibiting slavery, because of the
love of northern Democrats for the institu-
ton which has so long been the corner stone
of their political hopes. 1t has been impos-
sible for the friends of the government to
act as unit on any measure of general i'm
portance and no caucusing could bring to
gether the majority into solid phalanx
against the opposition. The most radical I"
Republicans would sometimes be found vot-
ing with Copperheads, and then again the
most " conservative" would be taking the
lead in radicalism On all measures of
finance and taxation, as well as those pertain
ing to the conduct of the war there has exist
ed great diversity of opinion among the
Unionists, which has emboldened the opposi-
ton until the rankest treason has been open
" proclaimed by many who came into Con-
gress claiming to be War Democrats
The action of the Baltimore Convention
produced for a time a salutary effect and,
have no doubt, was the inducing cause of the
final repeal of the Fugitive Slave Law. But
disappointed ambition had its representatives
in both Houses, who have not failed to favor
unjust aspersions upon prominent men in the
Administration. In the midst of the conflict
of politicians and the want of harmony
among the leading friends of the Union as to
the best measures for its restoration, it is
gratifying to notice the frmness of the popu-
lar mind in behalf of the Administration,
and the determined purpose of the people to
fight " on the same line and under the same
standard-bearer until peace shall be con-
quered
Mr.. Lincoln, Mr.. Seward and Mr.. Stanton
have gained great strength in the popular
estimation, from the answering consistency
of.their course amid the storms of conflicting
congressional opinion. 1t is generally con-
| ceded that Mr.. Blair will have to leave the
Caomet thong b he has ceased to ebtrude his
OBNOXIOUS views on the slave question MY
Maryland having determined that hence
forth no more slavery shall exist within her
borders, Mr.. Blair will no longer attempt to
resist the popular current of freedom. Int the
people will require his overthrow for his mast
sins. 47r Ea& a.a sarzzF
The effect of the change in the Secretary
of the Treasury upon the stock market is the
opposite of what was anticipated here, and
the repeal of the gold bill also had strange
effect upon the price of geld. Nothing, how
ever, will establish stability in these matters
but decided triumph of Gen. Grant at Rich
mond.
The resolutions for settlement of the five
| per cent due Wisconsin from the sales OF