The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1869-12-16
Special Correspondence of the Courier
FROM WASHINGTON.
fetteH from Potomac.


Opening Of CoaJnRSS Tile Presidents
Message Rep5S& of Generals Spin.
Her and Belknap.
WASHINGTON, d. c.,
A Dec. 6, 1869.
The city is full Of visitors from all
parts Of the country, some here as
mere observers, others with axes to
grind. The weather to-day has been
horrible, and the consequence Of that
vancouver was that the GALLERIES were
scarcely filled at meridian to witness
the opening of Congress. Both hou
ses convened pursuant to adjourn
ment and the Presidents Message
was read. 1t is well liked by Con-
grcss and the public pclse acems TO
beat in unison with it, In the Sen
ate the Cuban question has been
sprung already. Mr.. Cameron pre-.
scented memorial from the people of
Pennsylvania, praying for Cuban in
dependence. But littlcofimpoftancc
was transacted outside The usual
routine ofthc first days proceedings.
Judge John +. Dillon of our State
is here and has received the appoint
ment Of United States Circuit Judge
for the States OF Iowa, Missouri, Kan.
sas and Nebraska. / know all
Iowans at homo as we'll as those here
will hail with pleasure this excellent
appointment. The Judge is in the
prime Of life, is able and energetic,
and will doubtless reflect credit up
on himself aud the legal fraternity in
general.
The report of General +. Z. Spin
ner, United States Treasurer is wor-
thy OF special attention. Probably
no officer under the Government has
labored moro faithfully or been sub
iected to more responsibility. After
giving in detail the number OF letters
received by his Bureau-both in the
Redemption and Cash Divisions, he
proceeds to cnnumerate all kinds of
Government paper, used as u clrcula-
ting medium, up.to June 80, 1869, and
also alludcs to the various National
Banks now in operation. The clo-
sing words Of his report are too good
and true to omit. He says:
cit is certainly in no spirit OF vain
Boosting the fact is stated, that in the
eight years and more that the Treas.
ury Of the United States has been in
my charge, during which time money
transactions were had that foot on
the books of the Office at q sum ex.
ceeding $4,000, 100000, Gan amount
OF money SO great that the ordinary
human mind can scarce comprehend
it, and Notwithstanding the fact that
vast amounts of money have been
and are every day handled by hun.
dreds Of persons in this Office; yet not
one cent has, up to this time, been
lost to the people ofthe United States,
on account of the management of the
Treasury, or on account of the en-.
| pmployes in this Office. Ii this is
mere luck, then certainly | have been
the luckiest of men.
Losses, it is true, have occurred,
bu, thus far, they have been so small
that tncy have always been made
good to the Treasury, by the persons
responsible for them, or by voluntary
/ contributions of tho associates of the
unfortunate ones. Although | feel
l have the right to say that | have
always done my whole duty, to the
utmost brink Of my capacity for en-
DURANGO; that l have worked unccas.
| ingly, in season and out OF season, in
the public service; and that | have
never done All official act that am
not willing the whole world should
know, yet it is certain. without the
aid of an overruling Providence, that
has directed the choice of honest and
competentpersons,st TO aid in the ardu-
Gus duties that devolved upon me, or
without the kindness at all times
shown me by your predecessors and
yourself, such result would not have
been possible. l feel that such good
fortune cannot last always. The
bark OF the most fortunate and skill
full mariner may ut last be wrecked,
on some hidden rock; the law Of
chance is now strong against me. |
therefore now, more than ever, feel
ali anxious desire TO retire from the
perilous position that hold, tho hold
ing of which | am sure has been Of
greater benefit to the good people Of
the United States than to your hum
BILE servant"
Hon. VIM. w. Belknap, the new
Secretary Of War, renders cleara and
concise report Of which the following
is an abstract omitted as we have
heretofore published a synopsis of
Gen'l. Belknap's Report. Ed. CouR-
IER.)