The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-09-02
SENATORIAL.
The Ohio Clerks and the senatOrship---
Letter from AN OhiOsn I'm Washington.
WASHINGTON. August q

i've departments, 1 nave baken sOme pains
10 ascertain the facts, and find such entire
of just ground for the observations
made, that 1 am constrained to ask you to
a few lines by way of explanation
and reply.
1t has been represented by the papers re-
ferred to, that a dangerous and formidable
'cabsp' has been discovered among the
clerks, having for its object sn attempt
upon the freedom of elections in Ohio. 1t
is stated that these willy fellows are "not
what they seem " that while they wear
the appearance of unoffensive gentlemen,
quietly laboring IN these dingy cssemstes
for "soanty grub and seedy garb," they are
in fact a band of Mschisvellis, secretly
plotting to control the action of the Gen.
ersl Assembly of Ohio" These papers are
very circumstantial they even point out
with graphic precision all the details of this
clerical conspiracy, and the diabolical mo
tives which have stimulated the conspirs-
tors. 1t seems, on the authority of the
journals aforesaid, that some forty or fifty
clerks in the Federal city propose to "dic-
tate" to the Ohio Legislature whoshsn, and
who shall not, be returned to the United
States Senate in place of Mr.. Sherman
that the person who has the favor of this
dangerous combination as Nh. Shermsn's
successor, is lone other than General Rob-
ert @. Schenck, and that the reason why
the clerks absolutely refuse to consent that
the Legislature may return Mr.. Sherman is,
that that gentleman, in his place in the
Senate, prevented an increase Of clerical
salaries, though explicitly requested by
them TO vote in its favor.
Now an this would appear to be broadly
farcical but for the efforts of certain politi-
cal light weights in Ohio to give TO !! a Be-
rious character.
Before proceeding further, I desire to re-
mark that 1 have no other interest in this
matter thar that which springs from a de-
sire to see a fsithful and intelligent body
of citizens of Ohio, now in the public SER
vice at Washington, treated justly, if
treated at all, by the press of Ohio. 1 am
not one of their number, nor have I any
connection with official place.
1t is undoubtedly true that citizens OF
Ohio, holding office in Washington, are
with great unanimity, in favor of General
Schenck's election to the Senate. That
this preference is not attributable to the
sordid motive alleged, is apparent from
the fact that heLGst Congress appropriated
, $250,O00 for an increase tn the salaries Of
clerks.
1t is shrevdly suspected that the real
reason for the attack upon the clerks is the
fact that they entertain this preference and
presume to give expression to it. But in
doing this, are they doing more than they
have q right TO do2 One Ohio journal
cosrsely charges them with "meddling
with Whist belongs exclusively to the peo-
pie OF Ohio" Indeed Then, as these
clerks are, every mothers son, citizens o.
Ohio, prscticing the virtue of making 9
pilgrimage 10 Ohio to participate in every
annual election, they hold themselves to be
q part of "the people of Ohio" and al
such will continue to NEEDLE" with Ohio
elections about as often as they occur.
It may be said that these Buckeye EN-.
plQYees of the Government have q fixed
haDIt OF "m6uuuuS tu
habit was early acquired and seems difficult
of REIMBURSEMENT. Mr.. Wetmore the
Ohio Mintary State Agent here, whose de
votion to suffering Ohio soldiers has forever
endesred him to the people of oul
State, informs me that throughout hi
long and laborious experience here, thu
Ohio clerks have been his earnest, indefst
igable c~o-lsborers. He declares that ht
could not have taken proper care Of thu
suffering and dying Ohio braves but fol
the constant and unwearied assistance o
the Ohio clerks. Their hospitable door
were always wide open, and their home
we're converted into hospitals TO insurI
more attentive and careful ministrations t
the sufferers. Mr.. Wetmore says that b,
knew of several instances of ssif-denyinl
devotion TO this work by clerks, who's
contributions from their scanty means weri
carried to the extent of depriving them
selves of sufficient clothing for the las
winter. The history of the State Agencl
1T Washington will contain q ehspte
which will reflect great credit alike upol
humanity, upon the Ohio clerks and upol
our State.
In making these observations, my objac
is defensive, not aggressive; but as an un
worthy motive has been freely sscribed t
the clerks for their preference for Genera
Schenck as against Mr.. Sherman, it is bu
just to state the origin of that preference
In the first place the clerks know Genera
Schenck personally. His bluff, heart,
manners attract the common people. A
a public man he has q willing ear and al
open heart for those private interests Of tn
people, which come within the scope of hi
public duties. No citizen Of Ohio eve
found In either house of Congress 3 NOR
patient listener or a more generous helpe
than General Schenck. And his wither
ed right arm sttests bis services and hi
courage as q soldier. During the last Con
gress, notwithstanding his lRborious dutie
as Chairman of the Military Committee G
the House, he was incesssnt in his interee
in the soldiers from Ohio, frequently callinI
al the agency and other places throughou
the city to make personal inquiries
and contributing literally of hi
means to provide for their wants. Thi
brought him in. contact with the clerk
and inspired in them an enthusiasm 70
the man. In merely adding to this tn
statement thst Mr.. Sherman has not ha
this experience, has not, from the CON
mencement of the wal to the present time
called at the State agency to inquire afte
the condition Of the soldiers, or for an,
other purpose, 1 but mention a pertinen
fact on the authority Of MI. Wetmort
And this is the full explanation and exten
of the great offending charged upon tn
clerks. a
That Mr.. Sherman has given his sane
ton to the abuse and invective that hs
been poured upon the clerks, or that h
has sought to gain an advantage over hi
distinguished rival, Gen. Schenck, BY rep
resenting him as employing an odiou
HcabaIP at Washington, 1 do not believe
This has been the work of q few of Nj
Sherman's indiscreet and ~over-zeslou
friends, and should not De charged upol
him. j. q.
Death of Professor AytOun.
Professor Aytoun, n of the most EN-
inent of modern Scottish LitterateErs, die
near Elgin, Morayshire, on the 4th @
+ August. He was born in Edinburgh Uni
versity, and when eighteen years old, wol
8 prize. for 8 poem called Judith" Il