Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-05-02
Another Bureau Smashed


Our readers no doubt rccollcct
the rcvclator Fry-Provost Marshal
Fry--who had himself made into q
Bureau, during the war, and would
render different decision every other
day on the subject Of Drafts, and whose
blood.hounds were sent among us AT
the request Of his loyal puppies, has
been ventilated at the hands of Con-
gress. On Monday last, the following
debate was had in the Rump House
at the expense of Fry.
Section 90, relating to the organlza
ton of the Provost Marshal Generals
Bureau, coming up.
Mr. Conklng, of New York, took
the floor and moved to strike out the
section. He looked upon the present
Provost Marshals Bureau as most in.
efficient during the war, and SO far as
it applied to the western district OF
Now York, full Of fraud, crime, and
corruption This Gen Fry, he dcclar-
ed protected the mostinfamous abuses
and had done the greatest possible
amount Of harm to the public service
General Fry could not be defended
! from the charge of official corruption
except by the admission Of incredible
iincOmDetencV.
Tic cited the case of one OF the first
1 Provost Marshal of New York, who
had committed and been convicted o.
crime, and through whom Fry had
ground down and burdened the people
Although this man had disgorged 8
good many thousands, he had just
spent s7l 600 for private residence
lin Philadelphia lie went into the
army and came out rich
/ Mr.. Conkling sent to the clerk s
desk a letter from Lieut.. Gen. Grant,
March 10Th, ia which he declares that
there was no need Of the continuance
of this buroan.
Mr.. Blaine, of Maine, said the gen
tleman from New York had paradec
his private quarrcls with General Fry
before this llousc-dificultics which
had been adiudicated by the Secretary
of War-and this was the cause o.
that gentlcman's irritation against
Provost Marshal's Department. He
would leave it to that gentleman to
say whether General Fry had not
come out best. He (Mr. Blaine) sent
letter to the clerks desk, written by
Gen. Grant in December last, speak.
1 ing highly of Gen Fry
Mr.. Conkling, Of New York, rose
and said that the statement of the gen
tleman from Maine was false lie knew
what he was saying. and be reiterated
that it was false
Mr.. Blaine, Of Maine, demanded
that the gentleman should point out
what he had said rs being false; ant
made the point of order that the gen
tleman shouldspecify what he dcnoup
ced as false.
The Speaker Mr. Dawes in the
chair) said that tho Chair did not sns
tam the point of order.
Mr.. Blaine then made another poin
of ordcr-thut the gentleman from
New York wasnot in order in dcnounc
ing members statement rs false.
The speaker sustained the point OF
order as last taken.
Mr.. Conkling, of New York, was
allowed to proceed.
lie said he was responsible here
and elsewhere for what he had said
and argued that the letter written by
General Grant in December made nc
reference of the retention Of the pro
vost marshals bureau.
Mr.. Blaine, of Maine said he should
not notice the cheap swagger Of the
gentleman from New York about be.
ing responsible here and elsewhere
We all knew what il meaLt-at least
we did when our friends from the Sc
cedcd States were hero-it then meant
duel.
The vote WAS then taken, and Ii,
goth section was stricken out and q
substitute was adopted providing thai
the Provost Marshal's Bureau shal
not be continued beyond six month.
from date
p9-Thc Negro Bureau candidat,
for Governor, Gen. Gcary, is becoming