The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1875-01-21
The LIE Nard Letters.

= SS&S&AoO VA SSS Sc&AA6R.>4 8o 0OA 4
Approve the Course of the Admins :
tration--But Hangs on to his Office
]. Why Don't he Resign 2--Tmproving
= Signs in Regard TO Women's Rights
The Cold Weather, the Poor, and Low
wages--A Promise of Something In
teresting about the Signal Service
Humbug, fh s-.H -
s4zg gat4aBG 81 -e as1a.1 at.l
l. 7ti@oi- WASHINGTON, JAN Is, 1874.
DEAR ARGUS: As you probably ex-
pect me to do my duty, by adding my
word to the food of opinions expressed
regarding the Louisiana affair, L must be-
gin by confessing that no one can possibly re-
greet more than myself the unpleasant po-
silion in which it has placed one whom |
sincerely respect and admire, and who has
been made the scape-goat by all hands
Secretary Belknap. Your readers will
probably remember the kindness and cour-
tesy with which he (Gen. B. both heard
and needed your correspondent and repre-
sentative, when approached on the subject
of opening your bridge and although |
know fully how little can do to stem the
food of vituperation and indignation hurl
ed at him by the blast of pu bic opinion,
feel as if it were my duty to express at
least my honest opinion, concerning the
way in which he was compelled to act as
he did: ,.. s..5ai .'..i a.. srslr.,s,u .,....,r
Gen. Belknap is secretary Of war. po-
sition, IN the cabinet of any military Presi-
dent, the most likely to be transformed at
times into that of confidential clerk. Grant
likes Belknap, and Belknap likes Grant;
they are fast friends personally, and their
official intercourse is consequently AMIGA
BILE. While it must be admitted that the
secretary Of war has considerable influence
with the executive, it is also well known
his mind, where family influence exists. or
where policy has been carefully and firm,
~ considered and agreed upon, either by
him or his relatives, no power on earth is
: strong enough to change the situation.
The secretary knows probably better than
> any outsider the cause directing the Presi-
dents course regarding the Louisiana
! troubles: knows that brother in law Casey
is the main spring Of the whole action, and
. that, while that gentleman has possession
y of the New Orleans custom house, the an
!, gel Michael himself could not change the
u policy inaugurated to control Louisiana.
Some of your readers may think him
: weak for needing these facts; yet let any
y one of them place himself for moment 10
9 the Secretary position, and he will see at
). once how utterly futile any attempt to
!. counterfeit family influence in this instance
would be No, Gen. B.. sympathies are
: ever with the down-trodden, and could he
!, have his own way, Kellogg and the whole
!. swarm of political vampires who have SC
~ long toasted on the very heart blood Of
poor Louisiana, would have been long age
uprooted stock and branch from the sol
l. which they so shamefully pollute with theil
evil presence. But then he is only. in re
atty, Mr.. Grants Adjutant, and soldier
Ienough to know that all orders coming
from superior officer must be obeyed
D. Now have it from reliable source tina
Il the telegram to Gen. Sheridan. signed By
ID the Secretary of wal, originated east of tn,
ee War department, in the national tenemen
u house. and was from there sent to Gen. B
al for signature and transmission. Those in
e, timately acquainted with him say that n,
al one deprecates this whole affair, and tn,
a action taken towards the poor forsakel
I'd people of Louisiana by the President, NOR,
than he does, but being powerless in tn
ne matter and knowing how worse than use
less it would be to attempt to change il
one iota the course marked out by hin
al who fights it out on this line if it takes al
n summer, he did all left him to do-obeye'
u, the orders of his superior officer. and
~ reaps glorious harvest in the shape O
d. curses and universal condemnation for dc
IL ing so. s.... - be-. H. fFs. 4
IS. II n
~ when pitted against the whole u, S. Teri
u, u tories and law and reason combined cam
~ out winner, in spite of the predictions G
10 contrary, will understand how little tn
d. opinions of the whole cabinet would weig
in opposition to a brother-in law, and wi
regret with me that the gallant soldier di
not resign his portfolio at once. and Civ
gu some less valued man the opportunity G
st, doing the heavy scape goat business, an
We gathering in the contempt and condemns
"a ton of our enraged people,.
But there, I've written more than | liz
as tended on this subject, and only hope tina
your readers will have confidence enoug
Id in their correspondent to believe that Ger
e * Belknap is not the heartless wretch he
10 represented to be, and only erred in re tair
60 ing his position in the cabinet
80 70 bride the ladies into forgiveness Z
20 tell them that the Woman's Suffrage col
!, ventiOn held the best attended and mos
or satisfactory meetings here, during the pas
to week, ever remember to have witnessed
& From year to year the audiences attracse
IL. by this bevy of earnest and eloquent W.
W men, increase in numbers and respectable
ty. while the jeering and hooting of forme
years are changed to earnest attention an
of respectful approval; compelling one /
a. give credence to the prophets who predie
4 the comparatively early success of th
movement.
The cold weather has reached us also
ne some extent, and blue noses are all til
r. style lust now. Measures have been take
IN to give relief to the suffering poor; but a
the most deserving are usually too prou
Sc to make their sufferings known, it is afte
nd all the worst class of vagabonds who rea
es the chief benefit from such measures, Will
the better grades starve or freeze 10 silence
in Men who year ago would not touch to-
re under three dollars day, are to-day WORK
he ing for one dollar, and are glad for tn
chanceof earning it. Buildings, the cree
No ton OF which year ago would have cos
he $4,000, can now be built for $4,000; bu
ba even at this reduced price the funds seer
10 to be wanting to furnish employment fo
- more than favored few and from all
can hear the financial sky is apt to renal
ee clouded for some time to come.
eo | notice that movement is on foot t
10 increase the importance of the signal ser
u vice by intrusting the sanitary condition
of the country to it. l mean to look u
ce some facts concerning that corps, and sha
It's conn upicate them tn Won in nv snayt