New-York tribune., 1872-04-29
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
MORE ABOUT CIVIL SERVICE REFORM-TllE ABB
STRACrION OF THE BUELL. RECORDS-CON-
GRESS PROCEEDINGS-SALES OF GOLD AND
PURCHASES OF BONDS.
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBuNEl

GRESs PROCEEDINGS-SALEs OF GOLD AND
PURCHASES OF BONDS.
10y TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNEl
WASHINGTON, April 29 1872
Tho following letter written less than year ago,
reveals an interesting bit OF political history and Illus
trates the need OF Civil Service Reform. Mr. Putnam Is
the gentleman whose removal Senator Spencer has
just secured " for political reasons:'
WASHINGTON, June 80, 1s7l
had honor to urge the appointment OF the Hon g.
common with other leading Republicans. believed him
Ne the abes and most reliable Republican politician
III that section of the State, and earnestly desired TO
place him IN position to ad our party success IN me
coming effort TO redeem the state from Democracy MI.
Putnam had in the face OF the most violent opposition,
succeeded in establishing system OF free schoO-whlte
and eooIedin community con ntef H hos,S 10 unoS ~
large sums of money, had determined to drive Mr..
followed but Mr. bravely met them in the courts
and conquered in this unequal night AS Mr.. Putham's
influence could secured TO aid the boilers and the
Democracy in disguise. the influence of Warner and his
clique brought to bear to crush him. When presented
for the office of Postmaster they reVanped all tine as
proved charges and prosecutions OF the Democracy but
repused by the force of simple truth BY subona-
ton Of PERJURY accomplished Dy me money OF ex-
Congressman Buck Warner succeeded III procuring an
indictment for bribery against Mr.. Putnam and upon
trial therefor few days since before apolticay hostile
court the honorable Judge charged the jury that there
particle OF evidence against Mr. Putnam, and
that the prosecution was absolutely Infamous The jury
acquitted Mr.. Putnam without leaving their seats and
Warner truth and justice have been again vndicated
least until some phase OF outrage is again launched
true Republican, and one OF my many friends.
GEoBGE 4. SPENCER.
Judge-Advocate Holt expresses himself rs extremely
anxious to be called before the House Military Com
nttee in order that he may vindicate himself from
pcon connection with the loss of the Buel court mar
ta record He says that he that long 1t
allowed 10 remain in his Office 1t was safe, but that
il was to the War Department by order Of what he
considered competent official authority. In this connec
ton considerable remark has been excited by the ap
and in New-York. Saturday morning. of an
tract from report made by Gen. Howard last
January, rejecting upon the character OF Gen;
with the Liberal Eepubncan movement As the extract
printed disconnected, and apparently taken from
OF IRON the context But the strangest thing that
while important records which 1t is suspected might
contain evidence damaging TO Gen. Grant cannot be
found the War Department and all the record
closely guarded that even an historian Is not allowed 70
the doors of the department are thrown wide open to
Administration organs when they wish to find something
that is damaging TO political opponents.
An interesting question up in the Senate Sat-
urday touching the power OF Territorial Legislatures to
pass acts granting and e railroads within their borders
BY law of Congress- approved March O. 1867 1t is pro-
vided That the Legislative Assemblies OF the several
Territories Of the United States shall not after the pass
age of this act grant private charters special prvi
eges but they by general incorporation permit
persons associate themselves together bodies for
mining manufacturing and other industrial pursuits"
The Dakota Legislature passed, In lS1l, law enabling
counties aud townships to grant aid to any railroad and
TO provide for the payment of the same, and Mr.
man called up Saturday morning Senate bill repeal
ing that act II gave rise TO considerable discuss
and finally went under the rule. There are
numerous railroad corporations which interested in
legislation OF this kind. They have constructed their
under territorial laws, and come TO Congress
asking the right Of way through the public lands
other aid. The question has arisen whether under the
law above quoted the incorporation is legal The dspo
stion OF the Senate Committee the Pacific Railroad
IN he IN he "
tOrial Legislatures, amending them SO that they will con-
form to the general railroad law OF Ohio which is
sidered TO be the most perfect OF the State laws Among
roads in this condition the Denver
aud Rio Grande Railroad the Utah Southern and others
The Naval and POstOce Appropriation bills were taken
up and read, In Committee OF the Whole yesterday,
but no final action was taken i'll either.
The SenateiCommittee Privileges and Elections had
meeting yesterday. 1t is understood that the Com
mittee will call witnesses in the Caldwell alleged
bribery case, present but will first make report to
the Senate the papers which have been referred
them. II a majority OF the Committee shall conclude
that there s ground for suspicion they will then ask for
power send for and papers The House Elcc
lions Committee will give Clark, who is illegally
holding seat Representative from Texas, hearing
tomorrow.
There was another trial Of breech loading small arms
at the Washington Arsenal Saturday, which was wit
messed by the japanese Embassy the House Military
Committee, and others. The guns fired the Ward
Burton, the Roberts, and the Springfield Allen gun
The japanese made excellent shots They appeared
readily comprehend the mechanism OF all the guns,
loaded and fired them with evident interest. There
was competitive test OF the arms for rapidty
endurance, the affair being OF shooting
match than anything else