The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-08
THE MoRMoNs, THE WAR, AND THE ARMY CON
TRACTORS.

Inc Now lOrk Heraldi after commenting upon TN
civil governmentofUah and the difficulties incident to
the exercise of the authority of the United States
expresses the opinion that much of the strife which
has heretofore prevailed between the Mormons and
the government has arisen from the intrgues of
my contractors This is a rough way Of oversawing
the events of our history for few years past, and
coarse method, should say of doing injustice both
TO the administration, and to the very energetic and
upright gentlemen who have been and are engaged
in transporting military stores for the army. 1t may
not be amss, under the circumstances, to refer to
some leading facts in this connection.
Il is understood that the War Department has
sent to Congress communication covering propo.
stion from Messrs, Russell, Majors, & Waddell,
army contractors, TO surrender aud abrogate their
agreement to transport military stores for the govern
ment.
II is due to the parties connected with this mat
ter that the circumstances attending the case should
be fully stated. The contractors under various FORMS
have been engaged in the army service for more than
eleven years. They are gentlemen Of high character
and have commanded the confidence of successive
administrations, including that of Mr.. Fillmore
When the government determined to adopt measures
to enforce the laws in Utah. anticipating large iu-
crease of transportation over the plains, adver-
tsed for proposals in the usual way and took spe-
ca pains to invite various parties to put in bids to
do the work required. After every exertion of the
department none were found willing to undertake
the immense service requiring it did, an outlay of
more than two millions of dollars. Under these cir
oumstances, the department closed an agreement
with Messrs Russell, Majors, & Waddell, the old
contractors, at rates such were deemed fair and
just to all parties. These gentlemen, by universal
consent, executed the duties assigned them with all
energy, promptness, despatch, and fairness. They
have commanded the confidence of the Quarter
masters Department and of all persons connected
with the service Their OUTLAWS have been immense
and their profits il is believed not larger than what
justice and fair dealing would have awarded them.
Under previous contract in the first expedition to
Utah. running from peace into war, they had suffer
ed the total destruction by the hostile action of the
Mormons of three trains entailing loss upon them
of about three hundred thousand dollars for which
they have received reimbursement Very much
of the efficiency of the army-at one time its safety
even-dependcd upon the energy and fidelity of the
parties engaged in moving its military stores and
it is greatly to the credit of the latter that they have
been able to command the approval of the entire
service. They were prompt in the performance of
every duty assigned them, to meet every order of
the army, to incur vast expenses with no posi-
bility, in many instances of corresponding remunera
ton. Now these gentlemen propose to Congress.
through the Secretary of War; to annul the con
tract, to release the government from their obi
cations under their contract to transport military
stores. Nor has Congress yet unidentified them in
any way for the loss of their property by the hostile
action of the Mormons. Other trains, too in conse-
guence of the existence of hostties, were ordered
into the main columns Of troops moving to Utah.
and thus deprived Of all subsistence for their ami
mails, leading to their almost total destruction These
considerations may explain the anxiety of the con-
tractors to withdraw from the service of the govern
ment. They have been compelled, in point of fact
to bear largely the burdens of the Mormon war and
although they have the cordial approval and endorse
ment of those under whose supervision they per
formed their part of the contract and are charged
with failure at any point in the discharge of their
duties, still, in the absence Of indemnfcation for
their losses incurred in the service account of and
produced by the enemy Of the United States for the
time being, they may well appeal to Congress to be
relieved from further service. The profits of bust
ness which are made to depend upon adjustment by
Congress are reliable and useful as many others
we could name.
Our object is to present to the country as sue
cincty as possible brief review of branch of pub
lie aeryice about which NORTON Of the nrees ba 1a