Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1874-03-26
Correspondence.
Letter from Washington.
WASHINGTON D. C \

The Capitol is draped in mourning.
Grape is festooned in corridor and lobby,
the usual badge of sorrow is worn by all
the habitues of the Senate. aud sad ewes
rest on the seat so long occupied in the
Senate by this man. who was TO the CALLER
les and on the floor the central figure of in-
terest.
The finance question was discussed for
three hours by Gen. Logan on Tuesday;
he vigorously assailed the position taken
by Carl SchurZ in his late brilliant speech
upon this subject; senator Logan boldly
advocated the increase of more money; he
asked how it was that $50 900 ,oOe of certi-
fled checks were issued by the Bank Asso-
citation during the panic. il there was
money enough. He denounced railroad
speculation as the cause of that panic
The inilationists contend they are gaining
ground in the currency fight. and the evil
dent desire by the hard-money wing to
bring the whole subject to conclusion.
cvinces weakening, from the confident
position with which they started,
The cheap transportation interest in the
House Is sadly in need of a leader; there
has been deal of scattering talk upon
the subject; there is an evident dispos ition
among Western members to ventllate
their opinions on II but no combined ef
fort seems to be determined upon by the
friends of cheap transportation TO secure
favorable legislation for the producers of
the country, as against the consumers.
Mr.. McCrarey. Of H.. made gallant fight
for the consideration OF his bill on We'd
ty OF selfish interests ard through them
the support he was entitled TO, and had a
right 10 expect, was not given 10 him.
The friends of such legislation will find it
necessary 10 combine upon some measure
looking 10 reform upon this important
question, or the session will pass and moth
ing will be done
The investigation OF the Board OF Pub.
lie Works is progressing. and becomes
more interesting a 1t proceeds. 1t is
thought that while there may not be direct
personal official corruption proved against
Mr.. shepherd, or other promineBio fiicials.
4 sort OF lax conduct. which proves
more dangerous, because a more subtle
dishonesty, will be shown, through a com
relations, through the knowledge obtained
in the latter way OF profitable opportuni-
ties for the investment Of money where It
was certain 10 do the most good. The i'm
proyements that have, through ii. made
Washington a pride to every citizen of the
nation. i constant defender OF the means,
however questionable. to secure the end.
The Printing and Engraving Bureau OF
the Treasury Department has been under
gong the annual invest CATION which il
H. fate every session OF Congress. This
Winter no less than seven investigating
committees have been sitting on this Blu
reau. and it - the opinion of the knowing
ones that the results Of their work is far
more satisfactory TO the Superintendent
than some ef the methods that have been
rcsorted to TO make capital for the invesii-
gators This Bureau has TO meet aud be
constantly prepared tor the bitter hostility
and antagonsm pf the Bank Notes Com
panles. These Companies naturally turn
with longing eyes upon the work done by
this Bureau; If ii could only be sque!ched.
the road TO large dividends would be clear
ed at jump. Consequently. every effort
i made to accomplish this purpose. There
l. an active and persistent lobby constant
~ on the alert to make friends 10 helm
cast odium upon the workings OF the Blu
reau: spies are put on the track Of the SUI
perlntendent. who follow his outgoinys
and lncomlngs with devotion characters
tic OF the spirit of the work. and worthy of
4 better cause. Detectives are placed as
employees Ia his office TO watch and pray
that something may be discovered out OF
which point can be made. In spite OF
this unwearyin. effort. Mr.. Met artee
stands with no shade Vet cast upon his
honor or good name. There seems 10 be
no good reason why, with all the machin-
cry and force provided. the work OF print
ing and engraving all the money should
not be done by the Government. Two
hundred aud fifty thousand dollars was
paid 10 Adams Express Company last
year alone for transporting the money
backwards and forwards from New York
10 Washington. If economy is the object
desired, here is leak that can be stopped
without distressing worthy clerks IA the
Departments. who have served the Gov
ernment well and faithfully for too many
years to be Of service in any other indus
trial pursuit.
Speaking OF Investigations. grave
charges have been preferred against James
II. Baker. the Commissioner of Pensions
and are now before the Committee on In
valid Pensions for examination. There
has been 50 much complaint about this
mans management of the Pension Office,
so many unfair decisions. discriminating
always against the claimant, that it is
thought an investigation into the charges
ought TO be made, if for no other purpose
than 70 clear the skirts of an official who.
If Innocent, is certainly a much abused
man. The Pension Bureau is one OF the
most important departments OF the Gov
eminent, and its head shou d be man of
ability, efficiency, and, above all. possess
ed OF strong love of justice. Ii it is
right to give our disabled soldiers and
their widows and orphans pensions at all,
it ought to be done in a spirit of generosi-
~, and not of pa:stnony, or what is
worse. in a spirit of almsgivin.; soldiers
are often deferred from making applica-
ton for 4 pension, when clearly entitled
to ii. in consequence ofthis attitude of the
Pension Office toward applicants. What
interest OF the Government is subserved,
for instance, in compelling the soldiers TO
hunt up his officers 10 prove what the rec
ords show, and be kept waiting for years
without pension, because they cannot lind
such officers.
The Committee of Pensions of the House
is doing good service in recommending
many of the decisions and orders made by
this officer TO be revoked. and it is to be
hoped. for the sake Of the good faith of the
nation toward the manned, Scared. and
suffering soldiers, rendered SO i'm the de-
Tense OF the Republic. that there will be a
reform instituted in the spirit that controls
this department Of the Government.