The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1869-11-03
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.


man issued an order forbidding GER
tain Claim Agents to practice before
the War Department, on account OF
charges Of fraudulent practices being
brought against them with regard to
pensions and bounties to colored
soldiers. Attorney General Hoar
rendered a decision to the effect that
the Secretary had a right to prohibit
them from practicing before his De-
partment, but must first give them a
hearing to show why they should not
be thus debarred. Secretary Sher-
man has appointed Assistant Judge
Advocate General Dunn and Brevet
Major-G General Wagner Swayne, as a
board to examine the charges against
them. ~ " ~
Report says that ''Pet" Halsted
has purchased The National Inteli-
gencer and Express, of this City, for
Senator Sprague-and that George
Wilkes will be the editor, and will
run it in the interest of Sprague. I
should hail with pleasure high-ton-
ed independent journal that would
take the place Of the late Intelligen-
Ger, such as proposed, even if not a
Democratic paper, would not be a
paid stipendary Of the present
Hodge podge" administration, or
waiting for the crumbs that may fall
from the Boutwell, table and would
dare call things by their right names.
Senator Sprague created some aston
ishment last Winter in the Senate by
his bold and outspoken denunciation
Of the corrupt and wicked manner OF
conducting the financial affairs of the
nation. He has, during the Summer,
made several able speeches before
the different labor leagues of the
COMMISSIONING, that although a
man may employ 10000 persons, he
need not necessarily be their enemy.
Mr.. Sprague short time since rails
ed the wages of his employees Is per
cent, thus carrying out his idea that
the interest Of the manufacturer or
rather the capitalist and laborer are
identical. A paper in this great po-
litical centre, owned by Governor
Sprague, and in the interest of labor,
would be of incalculable service to
the people of the country in thwart-
ing the designs of the politicians and
the rings that curse the country with
laws that are passed for their own
special benefit.
It is thought here that Judge
Pierpont will be offered the vacant
seat on the bench of the Supreme
Court of the United States. It is
reported that Attorney General Hoar
has declined the position.
The Senatorial contest in Tonnes
see, which will be decided on Tues
day next, is creating considerable in
terest here. Had the election taken
place two weeks ago Andrew John
son would have been the man, but
his chances, owing to certain combi-
nations formed against him, are on
the decline. He is very sangu,ne,
however, and his friends claim that
his usual good luck will not desert
him now, and that he will yet stick
needles into the very men who made
him dance to impeachment music
last Winter. General Butler said,
chat there would be sort Of poetic
justice in sending the great impeach-
ed back to the Senate to confront his
late accusers. The Devil himself
would not be as unwelcome in that
body as Andrew Johnson-we shall
see, day will tell the tale. The
wisdom of the next Congress will
break out In a financial fever. There
will be scarcely a member of either
body but who will present the only
practical plan Of paying off our ma
tional debt. and a number of promi-
nent Radicals, whose party fidelity
can scarcely be questioned, have bills
ready to introduce early in the SEES
sion, which provides for q reduction
in the rate ofinterest on government
bonds which are now redeemable at
the option of the. government. Mr..
Boutwell, is now buying these bonds
at a premium Of rs per cent. Any
bill looking to ctrtailing in the least
particular the profts of the bond
holders will be opposed by the
Treasury Department and the Radi-
cal members and Senators, except
those from the West, but it is well
known that the lash Of Sumner, But.
Ter, Boutwell, and the bondholdine
interest, or other arguments of Q