Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-03-25
VA.
FRIDAY, MARCH %. 1870

Senator Wilson. Chairman Of the Senate
Military Committee, requested Gen. Sherman
TO give his views upon the Army bill passed re-
Gently in the House. and now before the Senate
Military Committee. Gen. Sherman responds
in a long letter, in which he opposes the bill
With emphasis 10 nearly all its features. He is
quite severe on Gen. Logan opposes the re.
duction of the army; contends that instead OF
reducing the army expenses, ss Gen. Logan as
serted, the bill increases the necessary ex expenses
over four hundred thousand dollars; that the
pay taken off the higher grade of officers IS
more than doubled by that added TO the lower
grades. He denounces the attempt 10 cut Oft
any of the Major Generals, iavors the ccDtln-
uancs of the rank of General aud Lieutenant
General, and says it would be base to take an
officer from one grade and lower him to another,
or compel him to resign. He is very frank IN
expressing his opinion as to the reduction IN
his own pay. He says the President told him
he could not live in Washington as General OF
the Army and pay house rent. He tells OF the
house being made a present to him, and says
il he is not able to entertain and receive the
~oountry's representatives and others he will not
visit any of them. He states that the President
is opposed to the bill as passed by the House.
General Sherman is decidedly in favor OF the
retired officers, whose pay "he says is made.
auate to sustain life respectfully having the
privilege to enter the civil service.
The Offices of the country-within the control
of the heads of departments and their subordi-
nstes-are now, as q general rule, bestowed,
without regard to merit or qualifications,
upon political favorites, or, as a reward for
partizan services, or, pretended services. No
wonder that there is SO much corruption. No
such system as exists here, in relation to pub
lie officers, can prevail in any country, without
producing the same effects which have follow
ed in this country. 1.-The patronage of the
government has been and is openly used tor
rewsrding, or buying or paying politicians for
supporting tie administration which bestows
the patronage" A civil army is thus Or
gapized and enlisted. and paid, the captains of
which are the party leaders who secure the APP.
pointments.
An election was hold in Baltimore yesterday
upon the ordinance recently passed by the City
Council, and sanctioned by the Legislature,
authorizing the city to subscribe one million
dollars to the stock Of the Valley Railroad Com.
pany Of Virginia. and a loan to pay such sub
scription. The entire number of votes cast was
7,l40, Of which 4, l65 were for the ordinance
and {, 1915 against it, showing a majority in fa-
yor Of the ordinance OF l.l9O. There are 49,
TIA repistered voters in the CITY.
1t is generally admitted that the Legislature
has made a good selection for Judges Of the
Court of Appeals Of this State. In particular,
will the appointment of judge Moncure be ar-
ceptable. His legal abilities, his excellent life
and character, his integrity, his impartiality,
all commend him 10 the confidence and re
spect of the people. We ere glad TO have him
once again in the seat he formerly filled.
There are mutterings from Utah, i'll view ui
The passage of Mr.. CulIom' bi Il against polyga.
my. Not much is said out openly as yet, but
there are intimations that something may
il Congress tinalty passes the bill.
The Mormons regard it as another persecution
and say they can suffer and endure-and
mag adopt other measures.
The fraud and humbuggery Of 9 spiritual
list rope tying, coat changing, banjo playing
were detected and exposed, in
Washington, q lew nights aeu.
The check in the fall Of gold, and the rise
in the price Of cotton, have prevented any fur.
decline in the Dry Goods market in New
York.
Senator Revels (~colored) was serenaied in
Washington, a plight or two ago, and made a
speech to the crowd.
N,,y S,p.~n-n ,,, D7D-,o, -,