Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-08-22
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, August |

WASHINGTON, August II.
Just what foundation in fact, under
lies Moore's claim against Norfolk
Custom House Officers and little
knot of Treasury subordinates here
will appear hereafter if an investigation
is ordered; and it certainly does not
strike the public that any of item can
afford to rest urder such expli-
cit assertions Of guilt. But General
Boynton' S denial of the charges of at
tempt to black-mail Moore, appearing
in this mornings papers, is regarded as
rather irrelevent and evasive. The
date, place, circumstances aod alleged
conversation demanding $500 for sup
pressing the publication Of papers sup
posed to be prejudicial to Moore, have
been given to the public by that ex-of-
fetal Boynton, instead of answering
these, makes somewhat general denial
and then devote5 column In showing
Moore's disreputable character. Prob
ably the President does not feel over
whelmed by the load of obligation.
Boynton has placed him under by the
intimation that he discharged an ofici-
al upon the Erparte statements of his
enemies, and the whole statement is
coD6rmatory of the general belief that
there was an active junto Of Treasury
officials organized to push their chief
for the Cincinnati nomination.
No details of Gibbons fight with
Joseph's band are yet known to the
public, only that there has been
stubborn fight with forces largely out
numbering our soldiers; that a large
portion of the detachment has been
sacrificed, including Captain Logan and
Lieutenant Bradley killed, and Gener-
al Gibbon and several other officers
wounded; and that the command, bad
ly defeated, was awaiting succor from
Governor Pats, being destitute Of
medical officers or supplies, and need
ing reinforcements.or food. Ofcourse
the impatient public, in the absence Of
all data, has determined the parties re-
sponsible for this new disaster; but
more reasonable critics will await fuller
information before signing and sealing
their verdict.
Although Mr.. Arthur, Chief of the
Brotherhood Of Engineers, denies the
rumored purpose.to to inaugurate gen.
eral strike, there is much uneasiness
felt over the possibility, and is especi-
ally marked among our Post Office
Department officials. Early crops are
already seeking a market, and the par
alizings, effects upon almost every in
terest involved by a general or even
partial suspension of railroad traffic can
hardly be over estimated.
The President, accompanied by evc-
ry Cabinet member now here except
Mr.. Schurz, leaves here tomorrow
evening for his trip Northward It
would hardly appear probable that he
is SO Indifferent to his reputation for
consistency as to approve the reported
purpose of Secretary Sherman to ac-
lively participate in the Ohio campaign.
But it is insisted by opponents of the
civil service reform policy that such is
Mr.. Shermans intention; and Secretary
Schnrz's admission that he would
probably make one speech upon nation
al fnancies lends color to the statement.
The temptation is no doubt great; but
a few days observation here would
convince most people that anything
Mr.. Sherman or any other incumbe
of a Federal office could say to popular
ize the Administrations financial policy,
had better be left to friends not includ-
ed in the Presidents late order 20
Federal officials. There has been DO
effort made in Administration circles
to belittle or explain away the signif-
canoe of the resolutions of the Maine