Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-12-29
More Exposures OF Democratic Cor
ruptIon-The Senate Printing.


More Exposures OF Democratic Cor
ruptIon--rhe Senate Printing.
1t is we IL known that one of the most
fruitful fields for corrupt jobs about the city
of Washington, is that of the Public Print
ing While it has been generally conceded
that an enormous amount Of swindling has
been carried on in this department OF the
federal expenditures for several years past,
no positive proofs, embodying names, dates
and figures have been given to the public.
But it seems that at last the rogucs have
fallen out and the truth is about to come to
light. There has been, of late, spirited
contest in progress for the Senate Printing,
between Gen. G. W. BOWMAN, late Supcrin-
tendent OF Public Printing and now editor
and proprietor Of the Constitution, newspaper,
the organ Of Mr.. BUCHANAN and his admins
tration. and Mr. CoRNELIus WENDEII., late
editor and proprietor of the Union, news
paper CpredccessOr of the Consh;uttoH) and
still later Public Printer to the Senate. 1t
will be observed that both thee worthy gem
tlemen have held the most intimate and COLI
fidential relations with the Administration,
and have both had finger in the pick'ngs
and pilferings incident thereto. Ii will be
also remembered that grave suspicious were
entertained at the time of the transfer OF the
Union newspaper establishment by the latter
IN the former. that Mr.. BUCHANAN had brought
II about. While the Public Printer and the
Organ Grinder were hand in glove, aud their
interests and profits in the public plumber
were mutual, all thing went smoothly and
we'll. But these relations having changed,
the profits and interests of the two for an
other campaign having turned up as directly
opposite, their mutually of good feeling has
turned its flow into precisely opposite cur
rents
In this dilemma the President was callc4
OH to take sides. lie espoused Gen. BOWMAN.
AS in the case Of WALLER and STANTON, and
poor, poor FoRNEY, he turned against WEN
DELL and staked his power and Influence up
on Bowman. A caucus OF the Democratic
Senators was called to adjudicate the dis
putc. Bowman was successful; but fortuc
nately for the country, but not 30 for the
parties, the following exposure. made by the
Washington correspondent OF the New York
Herald, was the result:
"The Democratic Senatorial caucus met At
one O'Clock to nominate Senate printer, and
continued in session upwards Of three hours.
There were about thirty Senators present.
Senators Gwin and Slidell appeared a. the
champions Of Mr. Bowman, Of the Constitution,
4 4 4. F...v aha
with a zeal worther better canse.
The following extract Of letter, signed
by Mr.. Wendell, was read in the caucus. and
embraces the charges against Gen. Bowman,
a. alluded to in the Herald's dispatch some
days sine:
WARRINGTON d. c., Dec. s. 1859.
DEAR SIR-In answer To yours of the 9th
inst | would say that the following are the
facts in relation to my transfer Of the Union
newspaper to Geo. w. Bowman, presuming
that be was at the time Superintendent Of
the Public Printing. aud that the following
extract from United States Statutes at Largc.
Thirty second Congress, FIRST session, chapter
81. section page 80, has an Immediate
bearing on the case:
Sac. 6. That the Superintendent OF the Pub
lie Printing shall not be- directly or Indirect
ly Interested in the public printing. e., and
for any violation, &c, shall be imprisoned in
the prnitentiary of the District of Columbia
for any term not less than one nor more than
five years, and in addition thereto may be
fined in any sum from one thousand To ten
thousand dollars.
On the 20,h of March, 1859. | slipu'at
to transfer the Onion To General G.. w Bow
man, under certain conditions. aud TO pay
him also the sum of $40 900 per aunum out
OF the profits OF the public printing. H. pur-
susnce thereof, on the 18th OF April follow
ing | paid him, as per subjolned receipt,
5000.
Received Washington, ID. c., April IL,
1859. of C. Wendell three thousand dollars
the same being on account of twenty thon-
sand dollars per annum, stipulated 10 be
paid by said Wendell. as provided ia our lei
Gee. W. BOWMAN.
Thi. shows that Bowman was interested in
the public printing a. early a. March 20. and
that he received three thousand dollars cash
oa the llth of April. He otliciated as Super.
inteudsnt of the Public Printing. and drew
bis salary therefor up 10 the l2lh Of May. as
mvni. and reference being had thereto il viii
appear that six weeks amer he became inter
ested Ia the public printing. These are The
simple facts ia the case.
The debate which succeeded elected
many new facts Ia regard TO the lsoilts oseras-
a. OF conducting an organ which not
known 10 the uaialtiaied. IL was proved
and admitted that the Consultation paper was
a losing Insulation 10 The smoant IT eighteen
thousand dollars pr year over and abuve it,
receipts, aud that it as absolutely essential
% give IL the public printing Ia ord To sas-
tain IL. The debate Was participated ia by
large number Of Senators. General Boa man
and lie paper were handled 10 rather a rough
mani or by Senator'S Toumhs, Cliagman,
Brow an Clay. II bseame evident To these
geRtis asv.s that the caucus were determined
TO force No. Bowman upon them. aad ihy
gave senators notice that they would assaH
him in Op,n Senate, aud lay bare the Wholc
corrupt Transaction. with all the mysteries
aud thimblerigging eonneetsd with this news
paper.
before ballot Was had the abaye-namel
Senators, together with others. leis the eau
cue. A ballot then hsd, Bowman Te-
csiSing twrnty votes. aad four scattering.
There will 5s sons rich scenes when thcy
90 lnio An slcelioa for printer. a. these sea-
aioEs asclare openly they Intend 10 senIilass
The wh4le matter. IL l. tha prevailing In
psessien plat Bowman will isl 20 pass The
ordeal.
Toe aAlnaiiOa Of Bowman. reswllhsisad-