The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-01-28
The LIE Nard Letters.
Breezes Of Various Kinds-0ne in the Treasury
Department-0ne in the Pension Office
And a Splendid One at the
Woman Suffrage Con-
yention.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26, 1874.

If am asked to give the news OF the
week in one word should say breezes.
In the first place we've had high winds Ton
the Rock Island pattern) throwing dust IN
to peoples eyes, tearing down fences, steal
ing hats and playing all sorts OF trlsky
pranks generally.
Then somebody thought that the doings
Of the Treasury Department needed look
ing after and Immediately host of in
During minds arose who wanted TO know
what became of the contingent fund, and
every other fund under its control. Now,
when one takes into consideration that it
has been the custom, 10 these many years,
to piously divide these extras among the
higher class Of officials, one can well imag
inc the breeze such a prying into these lit
tie affairs created. Among the points
brought up tor investigation is one re-
ferring TO the sending Of clerks on syndi
cate business. and to which great deal of
Importance seems to be attached, as being
an unnecessary expenditure of money.
Now, at the first glance the charge seems
correct but when reduced to plain, truth
telling figuresit appears that, when millions
of money are to be transported, it costs hard
ly one-third of the amount charged by ex-
press companies, to pay the fare of
couple of trustworthy clerks and have
them attend to the transportation. On
that count, therefore, they'll hardly find
true bill against Mr.. Richardson, though,
whether as clear showing in his favor can
be made regarding the other points seems
rather doubtful.
There are abuses, no doubt, in almost
every branch Of a civil service like ours
still, truth is truth and thus | find that
the hue and cry raised against the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing connected with
the Department, originated in. and is kept
up by the American Bank Note Company
OF New York, who. not satisfied with the
heavy profits of all these years of govern
ment patronage, have an itching for the
portion of the work slipping out of their
grasp by the facility with which Uncle
Sam can do all the work he undertakes in
that line
The paper used for money, being pre-
pared in secret session, so to say, in the
government laboratory, has to be shipped
from here to New York, there printed, and
then brought back for the finishing touches
of numbers and seals. All this transporta-
ton cost heavy sums and in contracts of
this kind one is always reminded of the
story where Jones and Smith bought a
horse in partnership, making an agreement
rs to the respective claims of either to his
horseship. Now it so happened that
Jones was always riding, aud Smith al
ways wa liking; which seemed rather cloudy
to the latter's mind till he found the agree
ment, written by Jones, to be as follows
When Jones rides, Smith walks and
when Smith walks Jones rides -
No matter which way the goods come
or go, Uncle Sam foots the bills. En-
gravers and printers work for no less
in New York than in Washington yet to
luh=I w viz hlii(utbo winch ttidt NpAl pHiil
has expended to secure the contracts the
profits must be enormous; and in spite of
these facts there are plenty of people who
have the hardihood to advocate the foolish
plan of continuing this expense, on the
plea of economy.
Against the Commissioner of Pensions
also the war continues | understand that
seventeen charges were preferred against
him at the last cabinet meeting, and that
his early removal is anticipated All those
who have for years vainly looked for a set
Element of their claims in that office, may
therefore take heart again.
Last, not least, comes the healthy breeze
created by the Woman Suffrage Conyen-
ton, which was a perfect success. With
the outrageous Woodruff lunacy abolished,
and all side issues kept at a respectful dis
lance, the subject got such hearing as it
never had before Susan B. Anthony
made the fine and costs hanging over her
head for illegal voting, the pivot upon which
to hinge her arguments and brought down
the house whenever she made one of her
clever hits But the way in which she cor
nered Vice President Wilson was Just lit
tie the best thing | have seen her do yet
He, poor man, was during the forenoon
session on the 10th, sitting in the midst of
the audience, when she spied him, and
made her charge, saying that she knew his
mind and heart to be in the movement, but
that, not only she, but everyone present
would be grateful to hear him define his
position, if only with one word Rounds
of clapping brought the gentleman to
realizing sense of what was expected Of
him, and he arose saying that he was under
imperative orders not to make a speech
but that he would say that twenty years
ago, he came to the conclusion that his
wife, his mother, and his sisters had as
good a right to vote as he and that he
had never had occasion to change his mind
since. You may'imagine the storm this
much in little evoked, and how Miss An
thongs prediction, that the next President
should be Of the same mind, also was re-
ceived
Most people have, believe, had an OPP
portuuity of hearing Mrs Cady Stanton
She is always foreible, pertinent and cour-
icons in her ran,orlS oud | II mass IN IN