The Morning herald., 1876-05-23
WASHINGTON.
norEs FnoM TINE CAPITAL.
M WAsHlNo TON, May %.


WASHINGTON, May 20.
The Washington Chronicle, a Republican
paper, has an editorial which might not be
worthy of notice, were it not for the fact
that similar expressions have been heard in
come quarters among Democrats, and, be-
ing false, are liable to do mischief unless
met by prompt refutation. The Chronicle
says "The Democrats in Ohio have again
the chances of their party in the
coming Presidential election" and gives the
following reasons "First: The Democrats
were beaten In Ohio last fall, on the same
platform, and under the personal leadership
Of Governor Allen, and, therefore, they are
sure to be beaten again. Second: The loss
Of Ohio in October, will insure the defeat
Of the Democratic party in November,
hsnce the defeat Of the Democratic party is
certain"
The fallacy of the above position is easily
stated. To quote the language of dis
tinguished Democratic Senator on this sub
ject, last evening: "If we could not elect
President without the votes of Ohio, and
Indiana, the loss of those states in October
would be decisively fatal, because of the
moral effect upon other States. But, in this
campaign, the situation is somewh chang
cd. The Democratic party can carry every
Southern State except South Carolina and
1,essibly, Florida. This, with New York,
New Jersey, Connecticut, California, and
Oregon will elect, and We can afford to lose
Ohio and Indiana. We don't intend to lose
them of course" continued the Senator,
"but their loss cannot defeat us, nor would
carrying them help us, if we were to lose
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut"
It is notable fact, as showing the utter
Indifference with which Grant is now re-
garded even in bis own party, that the Sen
ate, without dissenting voice, passed over
his veto, on the Goth inst, bill giving Sl64
to G. B. Tyler and E. H. Luckett, assignees
of VIM, T. Cheatham, for moneys wrong
fully collected from the latter by the Inter
national Revenue Bureau, three or four
years ago. According to my recollection.
this is the first bill ever passed by Congress
over Grants veto. | say "passed by Con-
xress," because there is no doubt that the
House will also pass it. 1t is significant
fact that the principle advocate OF the bill
was Democrat-Senator McCreery, of
ter of equity. The bill passed the Senate
without opposition on The part of the Re-
publicans, Even Senator Edmunds refrain
ing from interposing any objection. 1t pas
sed the House in like manner, and, on
reaching the President, was referred by
him to Secretary Bristow and Com
missioner of Internal Revenue Pratt. The
latter officers reported adversely, and, upon
their report, the President based his veto.
When the latter reached the Senate, Mr..
NcCreery. in few earnest yet humorous
remarks, expressed his conviction that the
bill was founded on justice, and gave notice
that he would call it up at some future
time. In the course of his remarks he SAID:
Gas there were brave men before Agamem-
non, 50 there were wise Commissioners of
Internal Revenue before Daniel D. Pratt, of
Indiana. shall therefore insist on the pas
sage of the bill" On the Goth inst. he
called it up and asked for yea and nay
vote, the result Of which was-yeas, As
nays 0 This is significant, as showing how
entirely "the old man" has dropped out Of
all political calculations as an element in
the next Presidential campaign.
1t 10 said that the late Committee on Ex-
penditures in the Treasury Department, in
investigating the Bureau of Captured and
Abandoned Property. have lit upon a mass
OF startling evidence of most astounding
frauds, aggregating some six millions of
dollars. Sixty-seven thousand dollars is
charged against one of the proprietors of
paper in this city, who was formerly in the
Treasury Department, clerk in charge Of
the Attorneys accounts, and who had a
hotel keeper as outside roperin of cotton
claimants. These men will both be called
upon to explain. 1t is confidently asserted
that, under McCulloch's administration
while William E. Chandler was Assistant
Secretary in charge Of this branch OF ser
vice, corruption ran riot, and that the rapid
accumulation of fortune by that needy New
Hampshire man, on salary of $500 to
$4,000 year, is. one fthe marvels of econ
omy. He is said to have been partner
with one Camp in the seizure of so-called
captured and abandoned property. Every
body knows that much OF the cotton seized
under thir official permits was neither
captured nor abandoned, but belonged to
private parties. The official who had
charge Of this business grew rapidly rich.
Congress is looking into the matter.