Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-02-21
letter from Washington

is political Eoge, or is at once suspected
&c such, scrutinized, criticized, and con-
demned if It oontenriates even remotely
the bringing to light Of anything which
might damage the prospects Of tho Ad-
ministration. This is the KEY to the action
OF the Senate since the first CT December.
Ii explains the 6erce debate over the APP
pointment Of a retrenchment committee. the
vote to adjourn on the 29th of Msy, the
mortal fear of touching upon the tariff and
the opposition to the laet resolutlo of Mr.
Sumner authorizing and inquiring into the
government sales OF arms and ordnance
stores during the Franco-Pru ssan war.
The arsenaIs Of the government being
filed with arms, useless in times Of peace,
the Secretary cC Wax was authorized by law
to sell them. Large sales were made from
time to time to Remington & Sons OF New
York, till, upon its appearing that they
were agents for France, then ct war with
Prussia, their bids were thrown out. The
sales were continued however to one Richard
son, who-.it is stated-was well known as
Remingtons agent. The first question IS,
did the COVE rnment violate tho neutrality
laws? Then il is shown that cartridges were
manufactured by the government and sold
with these arms, and as the law only author
izei the sale Of arms, Gc., then &" in the
possession Of the War Department it
becomes question whether the law has
not been violated It appears further that
Of the ten millions Of dollars received by the
Secretary Of war for the sales of the military
stores, only $ ,286, l3l, has been deposited
with the United States Treasurer, and the
further question arises as TO the whereabouts
Of the remaining $l,7OO 600
These facts all appeared in documents
presented by Mr.. Sumner, and nothing more
was claimed BY him than that they formed
prioaa face case for investigation. Mr. Nor
ton. as he sat restlsssly in his seat watching
and listening for any new treason from t-ose
republicans who arc now called " the al
yersaries " Of the minority in the. Senate,
vac somewhat startled by this resolution.
This was evident from his nervous, excited
manner, although he tried 70 appear uncon-
cerned, called the resolution &" an immense
blank clrtritse AMI pressed a perfect
willingness - sit in hIs seat and have 1t ex-
pl5de. Mr. Norton searches meas hearts
and discovers the hidden Springs aud motives
Of action which are concealed from less
sagaciJns observers. SIS he discovered DID
the early days of the session. that Mr.
Irumbulls struggle for faithful inyesti-
eating committee was prompted by desire
to show that :. corruption exists ia this Al
minstration and gross corruption sl now
his cIairvovant eve has been llos.a. into the
breast ~ Mr. Samnc- ana las zecu nesting
there IN aucieG security ID design ID Ials-
ence the German vote ana prejudice i AGAINST
the Administration
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