The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-09-30
wasniyoroS coRREsroNDEycE.

'aNa' WASHINGTON, Sept. 20, 1870.
EDITOR UMoN & JouRNAL; At the present
time the Treasury Department seems to be run
upon suficrenee, rs by the new patent law passed
July Z. 1870. the Treasury Department was
abolished. This patent Law is most sweeping 10
It's character, destroying in ike manner the Pa
tent, Pension, Land Indian aud Census Bureaus
and the whole Interior Department with the Sec
rotary. The law was competed by the Commits
sioner Of Patents and presented 10 Congress by
Mr.. Jeuckes who supposing II to be correct in
full detail advocated its passage. II was in
tended to abolish only such portions Of law as
related to patents, but II went much farther
abolishing whole acts. 1t is a rumor that an ex-
ira session Of Congress may be called to remedy
this disastrous legislation, but this Is undoubted-
" incorrect, as notice of sixty days must be Civ
en- to convene Congress and the next session will
assemble nearly as soon.
The English Mission is al last disposed Of,
Senator Morton having accepted the position.
offered Mr. Meade, but that he declined It,,
which is not surprising. as he is too democratic
altogether to pay his respects to royalty, or to
reside any nearer the Court Of st. James. II
must be sort Of relief to large number OF
plomacy and plenipotentiary powers to be thus
released from a tantalizing prospect in the flu
ture of this eastern prize, slope deferred maketh
Secretary Of the Treasury is question not
easily solved. II seems TO be anything but
desirable office, as the salary is but $4,000, and
il will be quite difficult to GIL the position. Mr.
Richardson as Probate Judge in Massachusetts,
draws salary of some 5000, and 1t Is not to
be supposed that he would leave that position TO
accept an offices at q much reduced salary.
l can, Mr.. Editor, but congratulate myself
that was permitted TO exercise the right Of
suffrage in my native town ut your last election,
and herewith express my thanks to the honor
able board in exercising so much leniency in
my case. An honOred friend Of mine, who
highly prizes the rights Of an American citizen,
was very summsrily DISTINGUISHED, and there
fore had some serious apprehensions whether or
no my ballot would be received. But my doubts
were quickly dispeled as entered the beauti-
ful voting room in Ward 2, and saw the smiling
face Of your street commissioner, who really
seemed pleased to receive my ballot.
II has been held by some Of the Rest legal
minds in the nation, that a person has the right
TO vote in this city and also exercise the right
to vote elsewhere, upon all occasions except city
officers. However that may be, cannot com.
prehend where the law can be found to exclude
taI.paying citizen from the right Of exercising
q privilege guaranteed by law, and II is To be
hoped that the status Of citizenship in your city
may be defined for the benefit Of the community.
Ii may be well for me to add for the benefit Of
your readers. that in this city they only vote for
city officers, rs the District Of Columbia is nei-
ther state nor territory, and does not thereby
exercise the power belonging to either.
,"Ir PRENIIss,