The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-02-08
Why Brevet-Brigadier Baker was
DegrAdcd.


Correspondence Richmond Timesl
The notorious Government de
tective, General L. @. Baker, ceases
to be a Brig. General with this day
BY the terms of an order from the
War Department his commission
was cancelled on the 18th inst. land
he is mustered out of service" II
should be borne in mind, however
that the military officers here dis.
claim Bakers right to recognition
as Of the military service proper
since he did not receive his title OF
Brigadier General by reason Of
meritoriOus conduct in the field,nol
on account of service in the army
of the United States. His "promo.
ton" to a brigadiership was the
work Of Mr.. Stanton, upon impor-
tunities Of Baker, who asked the
distinction as a sort of healthy
covering to hide his disreputable
conduct whilst acting in the capac-
ity of chief-thief-catcher, etc, for
the Government. This detective
has had his day; now his trouble
will commence, for he can no Ion.
ger, at his own bidding, bring to his
aid the strong arm Of the Govern
ment to protect him from the ven
geance Of outraged citizens who
have been sufferers in person and
property from the unconstitutional
and utterly illegal acts Of this man.
Baker had become so impudent,
and felt so entirely secure from the
reach ofall men, save the Secretary
Of War, that he actually attempted
to play the detective upon the Pres
ident and his household some weeks
ago. There is scarcely a doubt,
however, that this last specimen
of indecency and wonderful impu-
dence was encouraged, if not sug-
gested, by some of the Presidents
"Radical friends" The "Great De-
tective" made an utter failure Of
his espionage upon the executive
mansion, for it was somehow dis
covered by Mr.. Johnson, who sent
a messenger to bring Baker imme-
diately into his presence. The de-
tective dropped every other consid.
GRAFTON, and repaired with all haste
to the White House, totally at fault
as to the purpose Of this summons
from the President. His name be-
ing announced, the President di.
rected that he be at once admitted,
notwithstanding the presence of
several gentlemen then engaged
with Mr.. johnson. The latter most
unceremoniously charged Baker
with his villainous espionage, and
informed him that if he again heard
of his presence in or prowling about
the White House, or if he permit
ted any of his creatures to sneak
around the premises, the "Great
Detective" should himself lodge in
some one Of the dingy cells in the
Old Capital where so many had
been incarcerated upon the simple
order Of Baker himself, without war
rant, or the semblance of law or
justice.
The "Great Detective" was amazed
at what he heard, and remained
speechless while the President
scored him. Upon the Presidents
command, $50 STRIP Baker hastily
moved toward the door; but before
he quite arrived there, Mr.. johnson
added: "Hold one moment, sir. |
desire that you now go to the Sec
retary Of War, and tell him every
word l have said to you and (shak-
ing his finger at him) don't you
ever let me see you here again."
The "Great Detective" left in
stanter, and has obeyed the last in
junction Of the President most re-
ligiously.