Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-05-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Correspondence of the Knoxville Chroniclc.l


CHRONICLE, am in receipt of the first three
numbers of your excellent paper The CHRoNI- |
Gle is frst-class paper in every particular, and
should receive the earnest support of every Re- |
publican. The publication of such an able adj
vocate of Tepublicanism in East Tennessee can
not but prove powerful auxiliary to our cause
since the purchase of the old Wig by the reb- |
el-democracy, the want of staunch republican
paper in Knoxville has been very sensitivcly
felt. The CHRONICLE fully supplies the want,
and l hope il will be literally patronized, and
that you will receive sufficient encouragement TO
warrant you in the publication of daily edition.
Ii we can only succeed in keeping the people
educated up to the living issues of the day
which is best accomplished by the liberal circu-
lation of sound newspaper literature among the
masses-we need have no fears as to the glorious
future of our country. The press has become
power not only in this reading country, but in
many nations of the world; and in the past has
been more instrumental, perhaps, than any other
agency in advancing the great doctrines of re-
ligious and political reform. Does not the last
great reform in our own Countrywide elevation
Of a race from the shackles of slavery, to the
full rights of american ctizens-owe much of
its glory to the influence and exertions of the
lengthy discussion of this subject like the
tone Of your yaper, and cannot agree with Gov.
Brownlow, when he says that it is too mild
in its political utterances. While all good
publicans should stubbornly oppose any policy
that would in the least tend to compromise the
interests of the loyal people in the South, still
am of the opinion that much can be accomplish
ed for the good of all classes and parties, by the
oil, % 20,
wards the late enemies of the government
Before closing this letter will give you few
Outings Of general news at the capitol Such
summary may prove interesting to many of your
readers
The investigation into Gen O. O. Howard's
management of the affairs of the Freedmen's
Bureau is daily occupying the attention of the
Committee on Education and Labor, the Chair
man of which is Hon. ). NJ Arnell. Quite n
number of witnesses have been examined up to
this time, but the proceedings not fully
published in the papers, nothing definite as to
the character of the evidence can be learned.
Many speculations are afoat in regard to the
probable result of the investigation. OF course
Gen. Howard has his enemies-who has not2-
and they express themselves confidently that an
impartial investigation will reveal the most stu
pendous frauds. On the other hand the friends
OF Gen. Hand they are legion-are firm in the
belief that the most thorough examination of
the affairs of the Bureau will not attach stain
70 his fair name. OF course these are the utter
aaces of partisans, who either desire to see him
found guilty or acquitted. The great mass OF the
people who have no personal interest in the
matter, are DESTROYS, that the investigation shall
DO thoroughly prosecuted, that the country may
be satisfied as TO the disposition made of the
public funds placed in the hapds of Gen. How
ard. tits generally asserted, and, perhaps, with
some truth that these charges of corruption
against Gen. Howard have had their infancy in
the First Congregation Church of this city
The Reconstruction Committee of the House
OF Representatives has not yet decided upon the
course to pursue in relation to the "reeonstruc-
tion" of Tennessee Several witnesses have
been examined by the Committee in relation to
the condition of affairs in the State. Their
statements conflict Some have evidently ar
gued in the interest of the rebel party and the
present Legislature, while the UniOnists have
also had their champions Gov Senter and
Mr.. Spence were very decided in their opinion
that the interests of the loyal people demanded
I reconstruction of the State. Gov. 5. pictured
the grievances of Union men, and portrayed the
hendish operations of the Ku Klux Khan, in
such an eloquent and appealing manner as to
convince every unbiased mind that some action
on the part of Congress is necessary to protect
the loyal citizens, both black and white, in their
rights. In this connection it may be interest
ing 10 know that the entire Tennessee delega-
ton in Congress, with the exception of Senator
Fowler and Representative Hawkins, are in ia
vor of a reconstruction of the State by Congress
Gen Butler, the Chairman of the Reconstruc-
ton Committee il known to entertain the same
view of the matter. He il now absent, attend.
ing to private business in Massachusetts, but
will return here about the Sd proximo. After
the Georgia bill is disposed of, which is now be
fore this Committee, as it came from the Sen
ate stripped of the Bingham amendment, it il
believed that Gen Butler will take up Tennes
see, and dispose of it in some manner Opin
ions differ as to the probable action of Congress
in the matter but be assured that Tennessee,
loyalists have a consistent friend in the abb,
Chairman of the Reconstruction Committee
VINO will leave no stone unturned ia advocating
their interest.
The new tariff bill, as'reported by the Com
mittee of Ways and Means, Inns been undc
l.. =. ~. r