The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1867-03-01
Letter from washington.

q. WAsHIEGroS, D. c., F, b. 25, 1867.
Dear JoarnaI:-The appropriation for the
improvement of Sandusky River is finally
secured. Over twenty years ago a govern
ment survey of the river was made, but no
practical benefit resulted. Atthe first session
of the 39th Congress Gen. Buckland tried to
get an appropri .tion under that survey; but,
on examination. the record of il was found to
have been lost. He then endeavored to SECURE
anew surrey, and succeeded. The work was
performed last summer, under the direction
of Col T. j. Gram, of the U. S. Engineers
Gen Humphreys, Chief of Engineers U. s.
A., communicates the following summary of
Col. Grams report:
This stream is very crooked, with gen.
tie current, and bottom very favorable for
dredging. The portion embraced in the sur
vey, (from Fremont to its mouth, is about
1s miles in length. and in this distance four
places Of primary and three of secondary i'm
pOrtance require to be improved BY dredg-
ing. 1t is proposed to vary the width Of the
channel to be dredged from 200 to l60 feet,
as the character of the points may require.
From the mouth of the river through San
dusky Bay to Lake Erie is 14tta miles max
ing the whole distance, by the channel, from
Fremont 10 Lake Erie, about 80 miles. The
depth of water through this bay is not more
than 10 feet, and this is tbs standard by
which the improvement Of the channel is to
be governed. .s..r.I ..
The amount reported by Col. Cram as
necessary for the permanent completion of
the work is $66 600; and the amount that
can be advantsgeously expended during the
current fiscal year, $4,000.
Taking this report before Congress, Gen.
Buckland secured the appropriation asked
for this year. No difficulty will probably
be met about the subsequent appropriation.
People Of Fremont aud vicinity will thus
soon enjoy as unstrictsd communication
with the Lake as those of Cleveland or Tole-
do. For this incalculable advantage they
will not fail to thank their able and indus
trious Representative in Congress.
The fact that "A. j." is not sole dictator
has perhaps recently been more wildly i'm
pressed upon the Democratic mind Of the 9th
District than its tender sensibilities found
agreeable. When the people by election
change the Administration, nobody com.
plains Of the practical vindication of the
maxim that "to the victors belong the spoils. ="
Bnt when an Administration turns its back
upon the people who placed it in power,
they will be expected TO insist upon ell pos
sible Constitutional restrictions Of the Presi-
dental prerogative of appointment and re-
moral. Messrs. Baker and Haynes there
fore, appointed by the recreant Andy and
rejected by the Senate can offer not word
of valid objection to the disagreesble result.
1t might have been expected that plenty
of Union candidates would appear for the
places vacated by these gentlemen. un-
derstand, however, that the reverse was true.
The only gentlemen who made regular ap-
plication for the Assessorship are said to
have been Mr.. Hall, the incumbent lately
removed BY johnson, and Hon. James Lewis,
Of Bueyr s. On the plausible plea of favor
ing rotation in Office, Secretary McCulloch
persistently refuses to make any re-appeint-
ments. Mr.. Lewis. therefore, having abund-
ant and warm endorsements at home, receiv-
ed The pomination. His administration Of the
Office will no doubt giya eutire satisfaction
in the District. 3 s exalted integrity and
acknowledged ability well fit him for its
duties.
For the Oollectorship there was at first but
one candidate Mr.. anderson, Of Sandusky
City, who received the appointment. Hon.
Rush Sloan engineered his application; and
almost before the existence Of vacancy was
generally comprchended, he had secured the
signatures of many leading men in each
county 10 Mr.. Al petition. Backed by this
and numerous strong letters of recommends
tion, Mr.. Sloan hastened to Washington and
laid his papers before Senator Sherman, his
special friend. The latter, together with
Jay Cook, who is personal friend Of Mr..
Andsrson's, interpeded in his behalf with
Secretary AcCulloch. The Secretary by no
means felt inclined to resist such influences,
SINCE Mr.. Sherman is the chief Of his Gnan-
cial policy in the Senate, and his relations
with Jay Cook are also special and intimate.
The appointment was therefore made before
other applications we're fairly on file. l by
no means wish to convey the impression that
Mr.. Anderson's friends used any unfair
means to obtain his nomination. They
were only very active and enjoyed great and
unusual advantages in the way Of influence.
| From all can learn the new Collector is a
gentleman every war we'll qualified for the
position, and the people of the District viii
doubtless have no occasion TO regret his sp-
pointmept.
Please allow me 3 few words about the
private conferences with the President said
to have been lately held by dozen or 80
members Of Congress, and among them
Aessrs. Bingham, auckland and Delano, Of
Ohio. ] happen to be much better posted
in the facts Of the case than those reporters
who made it the occasion of sensational dis
patches. The simple facts are thst said
members we're one evening invited to cali at
certain clubhouse (sustaincd mainly by
Congressman among whom are Messrs. Sum-
ner and Boutwell.) They met there two of
President Johnson's sintimatss Col.
Este, formerly Of Toledo, and worden, bis