Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-04-05
CorveSb0ndence.
OUR y.fsHIvGTON. LETTER.
WAsufNoToN March 40
THE NAVY INVESTIGATION.

our U.fsHE.vG TOY LBTTBH.
WAsHINoToN, March 80.
THE NAVY INVESTIGATION.
The general opinion in official quarters
that the Secretary Of the navy was guilt
less of any official corruption has been con-
firmed by the investig ton now going on;
and now, unjust as these investigations are,
am glad they have been begun, because
they seem to afford the only opportunity
that Government officers have of convnc-
ing the people that the administration is
conducted in singularly honest aud fair
way. When these twelve investigation
committee have reported the result of
their labors 1t will be manifest that the ac-
cusations against the civil service have
been made by thieves who have been chop
ped from the national treasury, and repeat
ed by demagogues who supposed there was
political capital TO be made.
THE CINCINNATI CONVENTION.
The signers of the call of the Cincinnati
convention for the State ofNew York "a G not
very numerous or formidable in influence.
Horace Greeley in his blind hatred and dis
appointment has sacrificed his lifelong
profession of protective principles to the
demand of the free traders with whom he
now co-operates. His somersaut is so
great and patent 10 all that he is not likely
to carry many Republicans into the camp
of the adversary. II Is confidently stated
here that the Cincinnati convention will
make less of a show Of political influence
l,I, 1,
ing President Johnson's time.
THE NATIONAL TELEeRAPHIc SYSTEM.
1t will be remembered that the Postmas-
ter General recommended in his annual re-
port that the telegraph be owned and oper-
ated by the government, and be made part
of the postal system. With the example of
England before us, where the postal tele-
graph system has proved great success,
paying not only the interest of the capital
invested and the expense of operation, but
a million of revenue besides, Congress
ought not to hesitate in comforting the pow
| er upon the Postmaster General to initiate
the system here. The question has been
brought before the public in a practical
manner by the extortionate demand of the
president Of the Western Union Telegraph
Company for increased compensation ior
reporting the weather signals which have
now become a national necessity. If the
Western Union Telegraph Co 1pany does
not choose to sell its lines at fair valua.
ton, the government can construct new
ones. And inasmuch as the Post Office
buildings can be used for telegraph offices
1. l.. 4
there is no doubt that messages often word.
can be carried TO all points of the country
for twenty-five cents. The press of tn,
country is particularly interested to break
up this present monopoly which take,
them so heavily.
POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANKS.
Every inducement held out to the mass
es of our people to become frugal and saw
ing commends itself to the consideration Of
the statesman. Owing to the uncertainty
of private savings banks and their inacces-
sibility to many men, many small sums OF
money are wasted that would be saved il
the postmaster was authorized TO receive
the m and to pay interest on the same. In
addition to this, the facility of transferring
small sums of money from one section OF
tine country to another without additional
charge W ould be a very great inducement
to open savings account with the post of
flee. There is but one way in which we can
get rid of the expressions and wastefulness
of private corporations, and that is TO per-
init the government TO transact that bust
ness of the nation which individuals can
| not do for themselves
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
The better part of modern international
ism was shown in the resolution of Sena
tor Morton requesting the President t
transmit to the Senate any information il
his possession relative TO the perse oution o
the Israelites in Romania. The details o
the persecution are blood curdling, and /
is needless TO say that Senator Morton
resolution passed.
There is no truth in the rumors tina
changes are about being made in importan
Bureaus of the Interior Department. Gen
Howard is not to be commissioner of Indi
an affairs, nor will Gen. Walker take charg
of the Pension Office.
The Senate Committee on Commerc
haNc hSitth W ilolu II Spttldl stSSlOn Ol
Sat urday next for the purpose Of finally dis
posing of the bill now before them for IT,
revival of American commerce. This
an important bill.
The bill authorizing the Washington cit
and Point Lockout railroad company to ex
tend the road into the District OF Columbi
and run lines of steamers in connection
with the road has passed both branches q
the Maryland Legislature.
In the Ohio Senate yesterday the bill {
provide for monuments to x-Presiden
Harrison, Gen. Thomas l.. Hartman, an,
Simon Kenton was defeated.
Judge Gooding is here prosecuting hi
contest for the seat in the House of Repre-
sentativas from the fourth district of Indi
ana, now held by Hon. jeremiah Wilson.