The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-06-16
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

VUn W ADu1NW1VN AN4 DAss
Correspondence Of the Pioneer.
WASHINGTON, June 5, 1865.
THE WHITE HOUSE UNDERGOING RKPAIRs-rHH
VANDALISM OF VISITORS.
The sad memorials of mourning have all
been removed from the Presidential mansion
and it is now being thoroughly renovated with
new painting, papering, carpets, and furniture
It was thrown open one day last week to WIS.,
itors, who would have carried it all Oh In their
pockets if it had been possible. Ihey tore
pieces of paper from the walls, cut SLICES OUT
of the lace window-curtains, and bore on as
trophies everything "laying around loosely" "
The President Is still living on 10th street, and
has neither bored others with, nor himself
been bored by, speech for the space OF one
week with one exception only. He spoke for
one mortal hour and half the other day to .
procession of Sunday School children on fra
ternity, equality, the correct theory OF govern
ment, &C., urging each boy 10 CONSIDER nlm-
self q candidate for the Presidency, and each
girl candidates. for Presidents wife!
A CHANGE IN THE CABINET.
Rumors of q change in the cabinet continue
current, and various names reported as sue
cessors to present incumbents. Among them
Blair. to be Secretary of War; Preston King of
the navy. and Hon. c. +. Adams, to take the
portfolio of State, Mr.. Seward Of his own &C.
cord retiring to private lite. Preston King will
doubtless occupy . seat in the cabinet-beyond
this nothing is certain, except that you may
RELY upon one thing: There will be thorough
reorganization of the cabinet at q very early
day. Andy johnson is man not only of great
native ability but Of marked and predominant
individuality. He will impress it upon his adj
ministration. His policy will be his own. He
understands thoroughly all sections and all
parties. He will yield neither to ultra radicals
nor ultra conservatives. His opinions are
convictions Of years. He will be national
President, and it is in his power to make his
administration the most brilliant in American
history.
In this connection may mention that Hon.
NJ. 8. Wilkinson will be offered either the
CommissiOnership of Indian affairs or foreign
mission. He is one of the board of visitors to
West Point.
THK TROOPS LEAVING FOR HOME.
Pennsylvania avenue Is thronged morning
and evening with returning soldiers who make
the wekin ring with their "homeWard oOund.
The government has wisely decided to pay
them of at the various places OF rendezvous
on their return If paid here the sharpers
would get most of their money. The city is
full of claim agents and Jews. The hotels are
placarfied. even the street lamps-''claims col
iected "'.certihcates of Indebtedness obtained"
"American watches and cheap clothing for
sale," &C. The whole thing resembles one
horse circus bidding for custom.
Pitfalls are laid everywhere for the soldiers
money and his ruin, and this is his return for
the Union which he has preserved, and the IL
berty be has secured. The destination of the
Minnesota First is still doubtful. The brave
boys are anxious to return home. Capt.
Coates told me last evening it was probable
they would do so. They deserve all that they
wish
VISIT To MOUNT VERNON.
The steamers have resumed their usual trips
to Mount Vernon. The weather, SO excessive
" warm, is sending many hither. On o visit,
q few days ago, found little change since
was last there, several years ago. Its descrip-
ton Is familiar. only mention it az the har-
binger of blessed Peace.
PERSONAL TRIMS.
Senator Norton Is at the National. His first
visit to Washington was as o Senator of the
United States. He is the youngest member
of the Senate, but his friends look to his future
with every confidence. l have differed with
him In politics In gone.bye times, but every
one who ever knew Dan. Norton, not only es-
teemed him for his ability, but loved him as a
good fellow. Although ne occupies high
and dignifed position, he is not the one to for
get that there may be such thing as an eX-
cess of dignity, which becomes distasteful, es-
pecially to us Western people, who are plain,
and think more of sound heads and good
hearts than any "hifalutin" airs.
Franklin Steele Esq, Is also at the National;
and, stopping somewhere In town, is that dis
tinguished traveller and statesman, the
Sage of Glencoe, whose silvery locks
and flowing beard, so long graced
the Locofoco side Of the State Senate.
He, like all Minnesotians upon their arrival
here, is excessively busy, and by his bobbing
in and out and bottonholing this one and that
-" the thing must be working"
1t is terribly hot to-day and you don't know
how much refreshed have been by an account
in the New York Times of the I'd inst. (see iD
of the Provost Marshal's office in Nashville,
Tenn, now presided over by Captain Hunter
Brooke. formerly of the Surveyor Generals
office, st. Paul The writer saws after con-
siderable elaboration between General Miller
and Capt. Brooke it was deemed not imprudent
to allow a certain number of gentlemen (mark
that to sell liquors wholesale and retail. On
account of the decentralization of the army by
lewd women it was also at once resolved to
legalize prostitution. He sums up the opera
tiOns of the last ten months as follows:
Money received from liquor dealers
TAX. ......... Soz, ol.oo
Money received from abandoned
women. ................... o,o9o.'I
Then follows expenditures showing small
balance in favor of the government. Long
live Captain Hunter Brooke, but save US from
Nashville and his dominons. SIGMA.