Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-01-20
Letter From Washington City.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. "A, Isl

hCLltI L IOiu w dstliIsS lon S4tJs
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. IA, 1869.
DEAR Journal This city has the rep
utation of being wicked place. There was
however, a few mornings since, decided ten
dency on the part of everybody -sojournel
as well as citizen-to adopt an upright
walk ;" and this Improvement, strange to
say, was effected by the operation of zee on
the soles, and not of moral influences upon
the hearts Of the people.
The opinion prevails here that little or
nothing viii be done, during the present ses-
sion OF Congress, in the way of essential
| legislation The currency, the tariff, and
other weighty questions, will be we'll talked
over, but it is doubtful whether much else
will be done with them. This result is au-
cured from the wide difference of opinion
that exists among Republican Senators and
Representatives on the Bond and Financial
| questions and from the known desire to
avoid, for the few remaining days of his
Presidential career, the vetoes and other
annoying obstacles that Andrew johnson
has passion for indulging in whenever oc-
casion presents itself.
If 1.-THE of the reports that are circula-
ted about Postmaster General Randall be
true, he is earning for himself reputation
of the most unenYiabie description. The
contract with Wells, Fargo & Co., for con-
veyIng the overland mails, is said to have
rotten odor about it. One thing is certain
tha .nntractor- hove paynr narFo-,,aJ tbo
service properly the grossest mismanage-
ment existed along the whole route; not
only were tons of mail matter permitted to
accumulate at the stations, but gentleman
who travelled over the plains the past sum
mer, informs me that the coach drivers used
the well-flled bags for making bridges"
over chuck" holes that had been worn into
the road after heavy rains In the South
ern States, the mail service has virtually
passed into the hands of Rebels of deepest
dye, by getting some imam of straw" to take
the oath, and after the contract is awarded,
transferring it to those who reap the profits
of the pay. There have also been ocean
steamship subsidies for transporting mails
that will scarcely stand the test of investi-
CATION. Furnishing commissions to persons
for travelling on business not connected with
the Department, is another matter COM
planned of; and it is hinted that room in
one Of the corridors, which has been chris
tened "Bascom's Corner" furnishes spirit
ual comfort to thirsty officials, the cham
pagne, whiskey, cigars and other supplies
being contributed by grateful contractors.
If these things be true. there seems to be
little left in this branch of the Government
to represent what the New Jerusalem peo-
pie call the remains of good
One of the biggest swindles that, however,
has recently come TO light, is connected with
the contract for supplying the Interior De
partment with stationery. During the lat
ter portion of the last session, Mr.. Ella, of
the House Printing Committee, had been
charged with theinvestigation of these frauds
and the report made by the Committee show
ed that large sum had been paid for blank
books, SO large as to astonish the present
Commissioner of Patents, and he set about
to see who had received them. He found
six index books had been charged at S25
apiece, and that six had been received not
worth IS cents apiece. He found 46 caveat
books charged at more than $40 apiece
when there couldn't be ten found in the of
fee, and they not worth half the price char
ged. He also discovered that the Patent
Otilce was paying $40 per l 1000 for patent
cards, worth about S. and S22 for card tags,
worth ahont 60 orA tba+ I IN oOo III -
paid Tor, of which only $4,000 could be ac-
counted for as having been received. Brown |
manila envelopes, the committee found. |
We're costing $4S per thousand which, with /
printing added, probably cost 81 thousand. |
aud while l40,00 were paid for, the Patent |
Office reported only 10000 as having been
received. They found also $40 thousand |
were paid for patent heads which are now
costing but S25 per thousand There were
Is, 600 charged and paid for, but not half /
the number could be accounted for as used. |
all these abuses, a Com
missioner appointed by Secretary Browning
to examine the charges, cleared the contract
ors of any irregularities or frauds, and the
Secretary ordered the amount, with $24, 900
additional, to be paid
1t IS this sort of wastefulness that is eat
ing up the taxes drawn from the pockets of
the people, and it is fortunate for the country
that the term of Andrew johnson is so near
an end, and with it that of Cabinet officers
who permit such outrageous practices.
On Monday bill repeating the Civil Ten
lre Act, passed the House by vote of I19
ayes to At noes. The Democrats voted for
t-the Republicans divided on the question.
Your member, Mr.. Scofeld, voted for the
repeal. 1t is doubtful whether it will pass
he Senate Immediately; but that it viii
sooner or later, Is morally certain.
Yours, SPRcks
a saving woman is the very best savings