Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-08-20
FROM CHICAGO.
Correspondence of the Ledger.l
nurr.,o 80

Society is more agitated, apparently. by
1t than 1t was over the Beecher- -Tilton
scandal. With this new sensation all
interest has disappeared in the Swift
affair that has been agitating Chicago
church society lately; and also that
which surrounded Father De Moor
tells tumble out of the Romanist
church cradle into that of the Epis-
copal and then his sudden return tothe
arms of the mother church." Every
thing, in fact, sensational has disap-
peared before the Sprague- Conkling
hubbub. Each morning the Times
comes out with flaming correspond
ence giving full details as they grad
ually develop themselves; and each
new item adds fresh peel to the pie
and force to the gossiping tongue. In
all walks Of society the matter is
openly discussed-opposite sides being
taken by both sexes. As a general
thing good deal of charity is mani
tested for Mrs. Sprague, and the deep
est sympathy expressed for the ex-
governor, her husband. The predica-
ment he finds himself placed in is
considered a sad ending of record
brilliant as a soldier, statesman, patri-
OF and gentleman. Senator Conkling
receives a goodly share of censure for
his impolitic acts, speaking worldly,
and leaving morality out of the dues-
ton. 1t is generally conceded that
the man who gracefully acknowledged
himself a liar before the world, in his
tllt with Senator Lamar, is social
and political corpse. And this ending
OF a brilliant career is deeply deplored
by those who looked upon United
States senator as being beyond re-
proach. And all agree that the whole
scandal is the outcome of women be-
ing tolerated as lobbyists in Washing
ton. If that field did not exist there
would scarcely be shadow now rest
ing upon the names of two distin.
guished families. AS Gov. Sprague
said to a reporter, ''it is a family
affair" and the public should throw
the mantel Of charity over it until all
the facts are laid bare that affect mo.
rality and polite society. Senator
Conkling and Mrs. Sprague have act.
ed, to say the least, very imprudently
but it is to be hoped that they have
not criminally transgressed the laws Of
society.
Generals Sheridan, Crook and j. c.
Davis are sitting here in the palatial
Palmer House as a board of arbitra.
tlon to regulate the records in dispute
as to the battle of Chicamauga thai
is, as to the relative positions occupied
by the troops engaged in that eveI
memorable battle.
A writer in the Times of this am
says that the United States senate i,
the most absolute political body OF
earth, and exercises all the roya
functions formerly enjoyed by the
arlstocracy of England-powers Ions
since eliminated from the catalogue
of their prerogatives. The writer
contends that the house of commons
of the British parliament is the
ruling body of the government, anG
not the house of lords, while in the
United States government the senate
and the chief executive are the con
trolling elements which can set aside
the popular will of the people as ex.
pressed by the majority of their rep.
resentatives. 1t would appear that
the writer desires the "veto done
away with, it being generally used
detrimentally to the wishes of the
people. And he also hopes to see the
senate become second to the
house Of representatives in
stead of being virtually the
master Of that body. He cites ex-
haustless authority to sustain his DO
sition. From your correspondent s
standpoint the article deserves the
serious attention Of the people at
large. Most certainly the abuse of
the veto power as evidenced by Presi-
dent Hayes demands the serious at
tention of the country.
The traitor, Benedict Arnold is
again before the country. This pu-
trid corpse has been resurrected by a
namesake, j. N. Arnold, ESQ. of
Chicago, through the medium of a
new book. The work abounds with
new matter of interest. Its object,
apparently, is to mitigate the criminal
treason Of Arnold. This position is
a strange one at this late date, and no
doubt the book will fail to eradicate
in the slightest degree, the obloouy
resting upon Benedict's record as an
American patriot.
Sojourner Truth, an ex-slave, and a
person upon whose brow the frosts of
many years have rested, is in Chicago
ON her way to Kansas to investigate
the exodus matter. 1t is claimed the
lady is over 100 years old. She saws
she did not run away" from her
master, believing that sinful, but
simply walked away" considering
that .. *. 1t appears she named
herself; First, because she was So
journeT, end second, because the
advocacy Of freedom was Truth :"
So she is self-made as TO name. She
is full Of information regarding the
early days of New York, when She
Y6S 9 slave.
Mine got, ! beese robt" This
was the agonized refraig of Pawn
broker Friderburg, of Officer Race
murder notoriety, the other day, when
he found out that the brick he paid
$4,000 for from "roed agents was not
gold, but brass and copper. The So
called Montana robbers gave it good
to the gila misoreant. However, il
may cause two Of them trouble who
are ip custody. But q vile = fence
for thieves is out a cool $1,000. ''1.'
Still, there are other unmitigated
asses in Chicago beside Bridenberg.
The second case developed in the per-
son Of n. p. Wyman, yesterday. He
bought n brick from n Western