Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-12-17

MACK, ne intciiigehS w ashlngton c0fres-
pendent Of the Cincinnati Commercial, has
tho following spcculations upon the arrest
| Of Surratt:
The arrest Of Surratt could not have hap
pened ct period mole desirable, for many
reasons, than the present. So far - he
himself is concerned, except TO himself, it is
of little consequence. One wretch like him
more or less IN . country where men are
murdered every day from motives more de-
grading to human nature than those which
led to the assassination Of Mr.. Lincoln. is a
small matter after all. But Of late there
have been such assertions made with regard
to the completely Of Jefferson Davis, and
even Andrew johnson, in the great crime
Of 1863. that the capture Of one so conspc-
uous - Surratt is known to have been in il.
is of great value AS sflording On opportuni.
~ to clear up what might otherwise remain
. dreadful mystery. Mr.. Boutwell,. Of Mas
sachusssts, meant nothing else than to
charge johnson rs an accessory after the
fact Of Mr.. Lincoln's murder whom he sta
ted. o he did, in caucus, and afterwsrd in
the House Of Representatives, that tho
Whereabouts Of Surratt was known % tho
present Executive for eight months. He
tried to gloss it over in his explanatory 70
marks in the house, the other
day. but, after oil. he admitted this much.
The New York Tribune had repeated his
caaeos spsesh in stronger language than il
had been uttered but what no did saw was
what appeared in the Commercial Of Mon.
day last, and in substance what have lust
quoted. Mr.. Boutwell, holds a position in
the House that gives importance I, what he
says touching this matter. He Is chairman
Of committee appoisted to investigate the
connection Of jefferson Davis and others
with the conspiracy, and has 10 bic poeees-
sion large amount Of testimony a the
subject, studiously withheld from the pub.
lie so far. In private convsrsasien " d
known to have made such aecuso1ioos
agaisst Mr.. johnson q, II proven aud pub
lished, would result in semsthisg much
more serious than impsschmsut. Other
men throughout the country. pretending to
speak from knowledge, have bssa equally
unreserved in their statements, and the re-
suit has been to arouse painful curiosity,
1t not reasonable Suspicion, in the public
mind. The next point Is to see that Surratt
has fair trial. What he says, under such
promises or threats as will undoubtedly be
held out to him, will 60 for little, unless
confirmed by the testimony Of other and
better men. Already some Of the enemies
Of the President talk Of his promising Sur
raft his life if he will tell enough to impli
cate Others. Undoubtedly his confessions
wouio be mere valuable than his neck. il
properly substansiated; hut to be Of any
worth at all they must be we'll corroboratsd
ADael aa the DARK uSloody Fight
wish knlves In . Baggage Car.
From the Nashville Banner
We ere informed that on Saturday night
last bloody encounter took place between
two men in baggage ca Of y passenger
train on the Nashville and Decatur railroad
The difficulty started in passenger coach,
and was the result Of dispute in regard to
the quality Of whisky each carried. Both
were probably more or less intoxicated.
The conductor ordered them 10 leave the
car II they wanted to settle the matter. and.
not to be disturbing the balance Of the pas>
sengero.
The two then repaired to the baggage car,
and .sser pacinc Oh the proper distance,
wheeled, Ind ct given signal fred their
pistols. Neither Of them appeared 20 b
hurt after the shc,s.
AT the moment the only light in the car.
winch shone from the lantern hsld bv the
person Who gave the signal, went out aud
denly. and the duelists then erasnsd their
knives and sprang uron each other Eke
tigers, cutting and slashing 1t feraful rate
They are both probably dead. or IL living.
terribly lacerated. t'
Our Informant did not learn the result Of
sne Affair, or che names Of the pertiea.-
Inc noise Of the swiltly.movipe train d.sd.
cned the sound Of thu Hood, 80 a. .,:.
Is probable that very little il Known siont
H. s"V~s