Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-01-25


THE DUELLO IN RICHMOND.
There seems to be something in the air of
Richmond provocative of a disposition 20 sscall
somebody out" The latest illustration is in
the case of the challenge to mortal combat
given by Major ID. b. White, or rather the
Rev. ID. b. White. TO General Butler. 1t seems
that White, who is a member OF the vir-
gina Constitutional Convention from Eliz-
sbeth City county, was the major of New
York regiment during the war, and after
wards became local preacher in Virginia
The insult for which he now demands satisfac-
ton is the refusal of Gen. Butler during the
war to grant him a sutlership in the army OF
the James. coupling the refusal with the I'M
complimentary remark that ''field officers leav-
ing the service voluntarily cannot take the
place of boOt-blacks here" White having
nursed his wrath since 1864. now, like the
chap who lost his temper after protraeted
kicking of some hours, begins, under the
quIckening process of southern sun, to feel
the prickings of injured honor. His indig-
nation, however. brought him to
the point of coming 10 Washington to
seek Gen. Butler, but on the occasion of the
late visit of the latter to that city, Mr.. White
simmered up 10 the point of penning a formal
challenge TO the military autocrat who had, in
dicial to his pocket refused 10 let him sell pies
and things at Bermuda Hundreds. His cartel
concluded in the usual style of sueh produc-
tions al demand of you that satisfaction that
one gentleman will always accord to another
Your obedient servant. ID. Il. WHITE"
Prom some cause, General Butler failed TO
accord the satisfaction demanded. Probably he
thought that life was too short for him 10 under
take to give personal satisfaction TO all the ndi-
yiduals he had aggrieved during his somewhat
lively military career. Possibly he did not
rate sutler-ship grievances among the unatone-
able ones that must BE- avenged with blood. At
any rate, he very sensibly declined 10 lengthen
his stay in Richmond 20 give satisfaction for in
iured sensibilities or pies unsold; and the ag-
grleved would-be suffer now challenges public
admiration, according to the code, by publish
ing Lbs unproductiye letter inviting General
Butler 10 tho field of blood
- OF THE TREASURY DE-
.sTMENT.-The expenses of the Treasury
pepartment under the new bill lately intro
euced by Mr. Fessenden in the Senate will he
reduced at the rate of s2OO,OOO per annum. By
This bill il is proposed to create an additional
grade of clerks, to be designated as chiefs of
division ana division clerks. The object of
this rovlslon Is to make n distinction between
cIeAs of the 4rh class and those who have no.
Indicate
an some instances a clerk has charge of be-
tween two hundred and three hundred other
clerks, dozen of whom, while under his
direction, and for the proper performance of
whose duties he is in degree held
reSponslbIe,reoeive precisely the same eompeu-
Sauen As himself. The bill proposes TO abolish
me 1nee OF chief clerk in all the bureaus save
M ne Office Of the Secretary, ard to substitute
ina Oh o. putty, who will be authorized 10 per
Torn the duties Of the head of bureau in case
OF disability. death or resignation of those Of
ncGs. The assistant secretaries and the heads
OF bureaus ara now receiving only about the
sane salaries paid TO boOkkepers in CONNER
ca houses in New York city, and far below
that OF public officers in other cities. II is
.oeeHrd best that the ladies who are now paid
$500 per annum should be classified. in order
mat there may be a distinction made in
point OF salary TO the more usefnI of tho pun,ho-
nmpI1yed Ii Is proper that there shall ba
iee classes and one third of the present uum
10 Do placed IN each class, al the rates of
$50 anu nine hundred dollars per annun
III give those Of the lower grades an
incentive to work, and create an ambition 10
pecone experts, which ALWAYS results 70 The
Oehehtof the public service Since Janp.rv
100 there have been 5S1 designations of clerks.
ann Oi ms number, all except about m war;
s~SS'"Asly component men, and the Depart
nent would have been glad to retain them had
"ren IN the power of the Secretary
!" oher tnem compensation commensurate
win their services. This bill in a measure
protects the Department from the loss of il,
valuable and experienced employees by giving
thefn pay equal TO that which they can obtain
ior similar service in other walks of life. The
department Is now being worked with $40
clerks upon reorganization made in 1852 when
mere Were out All clerks employed. For the
nseai year lo6O, the sums of the reeeipts and
expenditures nf she 60 ,rIament anaanna-., q, /
sL4,2li,ESo; 412 clerks We're then employed IN !
the Department. For the fiscal year of 1867 the /
receipts and expenditures to be accounted for
amounted to s2,s2i, liO.575, This work was done
by 2,2l3 employees, showing that more than
three times the amount OF work per individual
done In leo was performed in 1867, and the
responsibility per individual was correspond
ingly ct eater.