Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-06-11
WASHINGTON LETTER.
From our Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, June 8, 1881

Ing opluSullC db Tue ScdJ Vi 0ONcIu-
ment, and predictions are made that
the present summer will be one of
the most liveliest Washington has
experienced since the war. In addi-
tion to the Post Office and Treasury
Department Investigations, both Of
which are being pushed to what
promises to be uncomfortable results
for some people, it is rumored that
inquiries into the management of
some other Departments are, to be
instituted. That there is plenty Of
material for other Investigations,
and red hot ones too, those best post
ed have little doubt. If the corrup-
ton and fraud which it is alleged
has permeated the ramifcations of
that immense establishment, the In
terror Department, should ever be
uprooted, it would create a sensa.
ton before which any developments
that have occurred since the war
would pail. At least this is the
opinion of some shrewd and we'll
informed observers Of public affairs.
This Department embraces control
of the public lands, the Indians, and
the Pension Bureau, through all OF
which Uncle Sam has suffered not
little,
The arrears of pension acts, which
was originally framed as apiece OF
buncombe, and with the idea that
under no circumstances could the to-
tai amount called for by it exceed
$3O,00O,0 900, bids fair to be the most
expensive legislation ever enacted
byCongress. 1t has been an enorm-
Gus draw on the Treasury from the
day it was put on the statute books;
and it is estimated that the deficit
this year will reach $50, 100000
There are men walking around
Washington, every day attending to
business without the least inconven-
fence and with no perceptible injury,
who have received hundreds and
thousands of dollars under this act.
The well-known habitue of public
places here, who served in some i'm
aginary capacity during the war, re-
cived nearly $500 because one Of his
little fngures was little stiff, or
supposed to be so, and spent the
whole amount in dinner at a fash
ionable restaurant to few Of his
boon companions. What is seen
here in the lavish and grossly fraud
ulent distribution of the public mon
ey under the provisions of this act is
taking place all over the country.
Yet after all there is little real cause
to regret the legislation. II our rev.
enues raise all this money without
direct taxation, and are still suffi
cient to reduce the public debt at
such rapid and satisfactory rate,
how can it better be dispensed
The money comes from sources
that can afford to pay it and goes
out among the people who need it and
who put it in circulation. If there
has been some fraud and if some of
the beneficiaries are unworthy, the
fact still remains that good has been
done in the main and that hundreds
of thousands of men and families
who made great sacrifices in the
war, have been relieved of want and
misery.
Apropos Of the unpleasantries be-
tween Senator Blaine and Ex-senator
Conkling, which is greatly intensii-
ed by recent events, the following in
cident is peculiarly amusing: A few
days ago, Senator Conger, of Michi-
gan called at the house of Mr.. Blaine
after business hours, expecting to
find him at home. Mr.. Blaine had
however, been detained at the State
Department. Mr.. Conger requested
that the telephone be used to ascer-
tain when the Secretary would get
home. The servant, who misunder-
stood Mr.. Conger when he gave his
name, went to the telephone, signal
ed the State Department, and grave
ly informed Mr.. Blaine that Mr..
COnkling was at his house, very de-
sirous to see him, and would like to
know when he would be home. Mr..
Blaine was thunderstruck. He knit
his brows, ran his hands Through his
hair, and requested that the name of
the gentleman who wanted to see
him should be repeated. "Conk-
ling" came back through the tels-
phone. "Conkling !" repeated the
Secretary, soto roce, what can he