Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-04-03
Our Washington Letter.
MAsnrse1oN. D. G.. April l. 1872.

various investigating committees, Tor the numpcf
and variety Of It's Investigations. The most re-
markable feature in them all is TINT. thus far,
after months Of patient effort and careful inquiry,
there has been scarcely substance enough found
in the charges upon which any one Of them Is
based to cast shadow. II any ono supposes that
a committee of Congress can investigate anything
in few days. bo knows little Of the animus or
design of those who prefer the charges, or of the
" ways that are dark, and tricks that are vain,
Of the prosecutors.
As fully explained in former letter, the plan
OF campaign adopted by the enemies Of the sd-
ministration was to assail it simultaneously from
all directions with charges Of corruption, violation
Of law, and Of anything else that would be likely
to alarm the people. The not unreasonable pre-
sumption was that the noisy hue and cry, raised
apparently within the party, would shock the
confidence Of the people, and excite the suspicion
that where there was so much smoke there must
be, not only some fire, but smouldering confa-
grafton This plan was perhaps shrewd one,
and might have been partially successful if the
conspirators had not overlcted their parts, and
by the eagerness and anlmosity Of the attacks be-
troyed the dishonesty of their motive.
The first point nssailcd and the first nvcstiga.
ton ordered was into the alleged abuses in the
New York Custom House Here undoubtedly is
ripe field for investigation at amy time, as there
has been since the foundation Of the Government,
and as there probably always will be until the ad-
vent Of the millennium 4 Committee Of Con.
gross has spent three months and is still at work
a.. & Al.
in New York and the balance hero. Probably no
Investigation was ever more honestly and thor
oughly made, or a fuller opportunity given for the
introduction Of conycting evidence. While il
has been shown that certain parties have made
fat profits out Of the General Order business, it
also clearly appears that their gains come out OF
tho pockets of the importers and not out of the
government The parties procuring this inyesti-
CATION, AMI who, in this case, may be called the
prosecution, have utterly failed to connect Gen.
Grant, or any Of his immediate personal OF polit-
ical friends with any participation in these prof
its, or even with any knowledge thereof This
shell from the opposition has failed to explode
The next most noticeable investigation is that
of the alleged violation Of our neutral obligations
quently found their way to France. This wa,
expected to be winning card which would take
the entire German vote. Although played by
Senator Sumner, it was really from the hand VI
his willy partner, Senator Schurz. Your reader,
are already familiar with the facts connected with
and surrounding this question, as laid before the
country in the memorable three weeks discussion
In I,l IL. IL, L. L.
1t was evident 20 all, and virtually admitted by
Sumner and Schurz Themselves that the charges
rested upon no foundation. But as they involved
the question Of national honor and good faith
which might affect our friendly relations with the
most powerful nations Of Europe, it was neces-
sary that they should be formally investigated
and reported upon. Accordingly a committee
was appointed, including several Of the most
eminent, conservative, and ar-minded Senators.
and made up of fair proportion Of the recog
nzed friends and opponents Of the Administra
ton. The Craftsmanship Of this committee was
offered to and urged upon Senator Sumner, but
he positively refused to serve thereon. Senator
Ilamlin Of Maine, was then charged with the
delicate and responsible duty Of conducting the
investigation, and Senator Schurz was invited
by the committee to attend its sessions to in.
troduce testimony and to examine witnesses
possible was done 10 give those who
had made the charges an opportunity to prove
them. Up TO this time they have utterly failed
to show that the action of the Government, either
through the President or any other officer, wa
in violation Of the strictest Interpretation Of the
80. Il 4.
otherwise censurable.
OF course Senator Sumner was presumed TO BE
in possession Of some facts at least upon which
his charges were based. Accordingly summon.
in the nature offs request was sent him. inviting
him 10 appear before the committee lie came.
but fatty refused to testify. lie proceeded 10
read a protest, which, considering the man, the
body to whom it was offered, and the occasion.
was certainly remarkable document lie com.
menced by asserting that personally he had no
objection to being examined, but as a Senator he
could not submit to such an invasion Of senator
inl dignity. lie then objected to the competenc,
of the Committee, protesting against it, iorma.
ton and constitution in that certain Of its mem.
hers were the known and avowed friends Of the
administration which had been assailed. and
claiming that it should have been composed Who'll.
ly Of those originally moving for the nyestiga-
ton lie then continued at great length to lee.
ture the committee upon the improperly Of then
position, and to scold the Senate for having
placed them therein, and closed by fatty refusing
to recognize them or 10 testify before them. A.
the committee were not convinced Of their own
incompeteney, and could see no good reason why
even Senator Sumner should not be subject to the
same liabilities as other mortals when the good
name and perhaps the safety of the government
required it, and not believing with the Arab poet
that
Z. The gifts God gave thee lin thee DER the rules
The Prophet fixed for slim ers and for fools,
Immediately upon his retirement unanimously
decided 10 issue a subpoena requiring him to ap-
pear the next day and testify. In obedience to
this little document he appeared in court the next
morning, with another long protest against the
competency Of the committee, and especially
against the chairman, Senator Ilamin, whom he
refused to address or recognize as such, constant
ly referring to him as /" the acting chairman. -
Mr.. Carpenter moved that the protest, together
with the one offered the day before, be returned
10 Mr.. Sumner, as they were disrespectful to the
committee As all the members were not present
MIR. liamlin postponed action upon the motion
until they were.
Upon being sworn Mr. Sumner again protested
and continued to protest to various questions.
and throughout his examination petuantly acteu
the part Of an unwilling witness. lie continual,
Mr.. llamlin ns " the acting chairman"
and obstinately refused to give the committee the
names OF any witnesses who might furnish infor.
nation.
As sample of his testimony quote the fol.
lowing;
Mr.. llamln.-That Is argument, not evidence.
Mr.. Sumner Does the acting chairman intend
to interrupt the narrative which he asked me to
give?
Mr.. IIamlin.-l'll not interrupt you /; COON.
Resuming, witness said Il have received
great many confidential letters in this matter.
me last night calling my attention to the matter
md giving names OF witnesses. The writers in
zach case ask that their names lie not made known,
md do not feel at liberty to give them.
Mr.. liamlin.--lIaye you no names to give to
he committee?
Mr. Sumner None