The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-11-26
Washington Items.

Reports say that caucus of the Democrats
here, after several hours consultation, settled on
Gen. James b. Steedman and John Quincy
Adams as the candidates for President and Vice
President.
Hon. Edward Cooper has been appointed As
sistant Secretary of the Treasury and will enter
on the duties of the Office on the first December
A private letter from Gen. Mcclellan says that
he will under no circumstances accept public
office.
Gen. Canby's report to Gen. Grant is publish
ed. There are al Commissioned officers and
2.773 men in the district Nine hundred and
ffty-nine cases have been tried by military tri-
bunals. The expense of reconstruction so fan
materially exceeds quarter of million of dollars
1t is understood that the President will devote
considerable portion of his message to the ques-
tions of finance and the collection of the revenue
He has in his possession evidence to show that
upwards of one hundred millions of revenue
from whiskey alone have been lost to the Gov
ernment during the last year by the inefhciency
and corruption of officials in the collection of the
revenue, and very large amount has been lost
on tobacco from the same cause. 1t is the de-
termination of the President to correct these
abuses, and to do So the present system of collec
ton will have to be changed, as will also many
of the officers charged with this duty.
Intimate friends Of Gen. Grant state that he
will make no formal declaration of principles,
even to secure a nomination, and that if elected
he shall hold himself free to act as his wisdom
may direct.
Republican senators and representatives who
have arrived in Washington express their deter
mination to stand by the reconstruction meastl-
res; and they maintain that if majority of the
white men of the South stand aloof and take nc
part in the elections then they are in favor OF
placing the governing power in the hands of the
negroes and the few whites who act with them
So We learn from the World.
The garrison at Washington has been consid-
erably reinforced within the past week or two.
1t now forms military post Of more imposing
strength than it ever did before in time Of peace
These accessions to the troops of the department
do not fail to create great deal Of speculation
being made. too just on the eve of the meeting
of Congress- and at time when so much is being
said about impeachment and suspension of the
executive, and presidential coups etetat.
Little doubt is entertained that the national
banks will be relieved of the great power OF
making their own notes, so that they will circu-
late only the United States currency; nor can it
be denied that the payment of the whole public
debt in greenbacks, except where the honor OF
the government is explicitly pledged to pay in
gold is gaining in favor. The liquidation of the
bonds shortly due at the option of the govern
ment is earnestly advocated, and also consolida-
ton of the whole national debt, so as to give it
the soidity and permanency of the English Sc.
curities.
The Surgeon Generals records show that
PA 0G0 whites and 80 900 blacks died during the
war. There are 80 National cemeteries in which
are inferred 20S 900, at cost of So 250 600