Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1874-02-11
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
what the Rebel Archives Teli-Tennessee
Nsws-Abo out Pensions.

lOT DuIylnB OuleO OuSnlnB IOE Culel JUS
tice. 1t had done good work before and is
likely to do more. 1t furnishes damaging
proof against parties who have claims
pending for losses incurred during the war.
Ny attention has been called to a case in
Hawkins county, of a prominent public
citizen, who is now holding prominent
position in the Legislature. He has had
Congressional aspirations too, and for all I
know may have them yet. The story, as
told me, is that he had a claim for several
thousand dollars, before the Claim Com
mission, believe. 1t was rejected. He
wrote to Judge Butler, who is always
alive to the interests of his constituents,
rich or poor, Democrats or Republicans.
The Judge inquired into the cause for the
rejection of the claim over which his con-
stituent with q military title of high rank
waxed so indignant. He found that from
the archives Of the Rebel government had
been unearthed two or three letters to the
officials of the Confederacy, in which the
writer and claimant professed great devo-
ton to the Confederacy and plead exemp-
ton from military service on the ground
that he was doing it greater service where
he was. will not attempt to go into the
details of the letters, for l have forgotten
them, as told me some days ago. Judge
Butler wrote the gentleman upon what
grounds the claims had been rejected, and
he does not expect to hear any more
yrumbling from that direction. These ar
;hives may contain death letters for others,
and asplrants for Congress or State office
better be sure, that if they ever wrote any
letters to Confederate official they are not
here in Washington. 1 have heard of some
prospective candidate who are uneasy OF
The subject
TENNESSEE NEWS.
Col. Eaton, OF Memphis, has been con-
tiImed as Marshal after some opposition.
The story having been published that the
entire delegation, except Judge Lewis and
Senator Brownlow opposed him, it is but
fai- to say that the statement was inbound
ed. How David Mum and Judge Butler
favored Mr.. Sherman, of Mr.. Munn's dis
trict and urged his appointment. Judge
Lewis favored Col. Eaton, who had been
= good officer. Mr.. Mum opposed him
Tor personal reasons. The rest of the dele
cation did not take part in the contest.
Mr.. Hasslack's confirmation hangs in
the Senate, owing to the sickness of Sena-
tor Dorsey, of Arkansas, the member of
The committee in special charge of Tennes-
see nominations in the postal service. He
will doubtless be confirmed by courtesy.
Judge Harrison controls his own home
postoffice, and his wishes will be respect
ed.
The story of the rupture between Mr..
Maynard and the President, over this Office
was entirely unfounded, as stated in the
CHRONICLE at that time. They never had
any interview on the subject.
The Tennessee delegation all keep well
and are doing good work. Senator Brown
low is in his usual health and is in his seat
every day, closely watching the interests
of the State. The social receptions of his
daughters and Mrs. John Il. Brownlow
have been noticed in the New York press.
Hon. Horace Maynard is one of the
hardest worked men in Congress. His
committee labors are very eXacting and
important and have received the closest
attention. But small part of its labors
are yet before the country. His cor
respondence, coming from every part OF
the State, is very large and demands much
Of his time. There is no man in Congress
who labors more untiringly or c0nscien-
ciCusly for the whole country aud for his
own constituents than does Dir. Maynard
Col. Thornburg has found it necessary
to hire n clerk to assist him in his cor
respondence, which is constantly increas-
ing. He is giving all his spare time from
his important committee work to looking
after the claims of his constituents. Be-
ing a member of the Military Committee
he has been able to secure several impor'
tant claims for come of his old associates
IN the army.
In all the Departments he has made q
favorable impression and is fast becoming
familiar with all the routine of work OF
his position. His letters go into every
county and he is winning flattering testi
monials for his promptness and interest in
the business of his constituents.
Judge Butler, is doing good work for his
people. He is hard worker and those Of
his constituents, who come here never lack
such help and attention as they deserve.
Judges Harrison and Lewis and Messrs
Crutchfield and Num- are giving satisfac
zion 10 their constituents SO far as | have
heard any expressions from them.
FOR PENSION AGENTS
Congressman Dawes IS preparing some
statements intended to show Congress how
the expenditures OF the Government cav
be reduced. one table Is inteuled Z.
show that all the Pension Agent
"tu be disposed of by paying
tensions directly 10y draft from Washing
.Ou. He says the expenses OF the Pension
Bureau are now about 81 600 900 annually
and about one-iifth of this sum could bt
saved by his plan of doing away with tn,
agencies and settling with pensioners iii
rect from the Pension Bureau. This plan
was before Congress some time ago, hut die
not then receive mu1n favor. j do mol
know how il will fare now, Congress has
the retrenchment fever and there is no
telling what it mayd Mr.. Dawes figure.
will aim at other departments and he eX
poets to be able TO show Congress where 9