Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1872-03-01

WAsHIEGToN, d. c., Feb. 10, 1872.
Editor Of Free Press and Times:
The mSnis for investigation hss broken out
afresh
DIsiSTEREsTED PATRIoTIsM."
This time it is Senator Sumner, whose con-
science i, troubled Abou. the short comings of
the administration. Somewhere about Christ
mas he made the astounding discovery that there
was actually discrepancy between the total dis
bursements OF the French government for arms,
and the total receipts Of the United States
Treasury, on account Of sales Of condemned
ordnance. This discovery has caused him many
sleepless night. As means Of relief sn ex-
pert oook-keeper was employed to examine the
records OF the War Department, but this afforded
no substantial peSce. II vas only after he had
given vent to his feelings in 8 stunning
preamble and resolution of inquiry, that HE
nerves recovered their steadiness, and even now
bis eyes are sutfused with tears when be thinks
Of the neutrality laws violated, and General
Grants chances for a second term ruined His
grief aWAkens sympathy in the heart Of the noble
S'hurz, and together they do their best TO pre-
vent our national honl- from becoming iy-b0Wn.
Such dis Interested pS -iotism Is too rare 20 be
appreciated by their cold and sordid COL
leagues. and abuse meets only riiicule and
from the republican side while the democracy
inTardy rejoicing that = new element Of dis
cord has been introduced into the enemy's
camp, preserve a matterly inactivity The matter
may well be labeled - unfinished business. -
snd promises entertainment for the present
week
Amnesty Vas Sgain presented, but 1t once
Withdrawn to prevent It's being loaded down by
Mr. Summers civil rghtE amendment. Then
came Senator
BROwSLOw's Personal EXPLASATioS,
called out by the structures Of Representative
Beck, Of Kentucky, on his administration Of
siAirs as Governor Of Tennessee As he cannot
speak above a whisper, be sent a paper to he
read by the clerk, in which he paid LIS respects
10 Mr.. Beck in style peculiar TO himself Ii
was the concentrated extrsct Of bitterness. One
looking down from the gallery found It diff
cult to believe that such words could have been
dictated BY that pslsiei Old man, scarcely able
to carry glass Of wafer 10 his mouth, snd 10
all appearance, only keeping the grim monster
at hay by sheer force of will. Age and inhEmity,
however, do not seem TO have sJftenei his hesri
towards his enemies, or made him forget those
fearful eight-sy yllAbled sjjsctives with which he
Is wont 10 annihilste them. He must have been
a terror TO the unconserted in his preaching
days, if bis denunc stions Of Sin, and descrip-
tions Of the bottomless pit were anywhere near
on par with his more recent efforts.
Of course his victim could not pas uuuoticei
such scsthing attack, and obtained leave Of the I
House to reply. He struggled manfully to
eclipse the lofty fights Of the psrson. but it was
not in him. Gall and w0rmwood in quantities I
to avail in such an emergency are not At his .
,ohmsnd He can hur mud but not thunder [
bolts lie cannot plead want Of practice, for he /
was fresh from q savage attack on the Navy De- Z
psrtment, IN which his powers Of vituperAton 7
we're given full play, during the discussion on /
the naval appropriation bill. The bellgerent I
parson bears the champions belt swsy to Ten /
nessse, while Kentucky seeks for a new repre- .
who shsl be cspsble Of svenging her I
wounded honor.