Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-06-20
Tho MINORITY Reuort,

he gives summary of the subjects en-
braced in the resolutions under which the
committee was appointed, and reviews the
proceedings of the majority of the committee,
showing systematic disregard of the estab-
lished principles ofjustice towards the indi-
viduals against whom the resolutions were
aimed He states that many of heinquiries
were based on anonymous letters to the chair
man of the committee; that examinations
were made contrary to the rules OF evidence
and the orders of the committee: that accusa-
tons were invited and encouraged: that
| leading questions were Systematically pro-
pounded; in short, that all the most odious
| features of an cx-parte, secret lnqulsltlon,
characterized from first to last the proceed
ings of the committee, aud afforded evidence
| that it was not an honest search after truth,
but hunt for defamatory matter to be used
for electoneering purposes in the approach
ing election.
Mr.. Winslow then proceeds to examine,
seriatim, the principal subjects investigated
| before the committee, in the following order:
lst. THE PUBLIC BINDING.-Mr. Winlsow
explains the law on this subject, and argued
there has been no violation of its provisions
by any officer of the Government, and that
an absurd story, told by a man named Petit
bone, about an endorsement being charged
on !; memorial addressed to the President,
and referred to the Attorney General was
altogether false.
ID. TIE PUBLIC PRlNTINC.-Mr. Winslow'
exhibits the state of the law in respect to the
Public Printing; that the only printin 8
patronage in the hands of the Executive
! IL, .Lo oH,, be-. rh.r l.
though this was expressly authorized to be
given to printers residing out of the District
of Columbia, no order was made in respect
to it, under Mr.. Buchanan's Administration,
until some time after Congress met in De-
cember 1857; that the patronage had always
been bestowed by all political parties upon
party editors, and that the House of Repre-
sentativcs have done the same thing ut the
present session of Congress; that there were
many applicants for the printing, among
whom were John w. Forncy, William Rice,
Wendell, and others; that it was given by the
Postmaster General on the 3lst Of December,
1857. TO William Rice, who made contract
with Wendell for doing the work and shar-
inc the profits; that this was u private con-
tract between Rice and Wendell, in which
the Government had no interest, aud with
which the President had nothing to do; that
Wendell afterwards undertook to divide the
profits, 50 as To Y We some TO Severns, OF the
Argus, and secure more for himself; falsely
pretending that he was authorized by the
President to do SO, whereas he had no such
authority, and it was done at his own vUlitiUn,
AMI for his own 80 did purposes.
lie proceeds 10 show that the stories told
by Wendell, who was examined eight times,
are contradictory in themselves, and contra
dicted by others, and wholly unworthy Of
credit; and he makes comparison OF Y en-
parallel columns, how, on three different ex-
amnations, he sworc to three different
stories about the same matter, and finally
confessed that the President had given him
no order or authority on the subject and that
it was all done on his own voIiton.
Mr. Winslow then examined the subject
of the printing in connection with John W.
Foriey. showing that Forney and Wendell
contradict each other; that Webster is con
tradctcd by his own letter and by Judge
Black: that FVrney wanted to have charge
of "7Hc inion" newspaper at Washington:
that Mr.. Buchanan was willing that he
should have it; but it was opposed by South
crn gentlemen. Fornev afterwards, for Il
long time, solicited the Printing of the Post
Office blanks from the President, through
Mr. Cobb. Judge Black, and other friends;
that, after his election ut the present session
as Clerk Of the House, he threatened revenge
against the President in Il public speech. in
which the President was Shamctully rcv!!-
ed; and that the proceedings Of the Covodc
committee were the means adopted 10 carry
ont that revenge. That Ill the charges
against the President in respect to the pub
lie Printing, result from the malignant pas
sions Of personal enemies, disappointed Office
holders and political partisans: and that in
no fact or circumstance is there any inst
ground for ccnsure or reproach against the
President and his Administration.
The LECoMrToN CONSTITUTION Mr.. Win
slow next reviews the history of the Lecomp-
ton constitution, and shows that there was
nothing done by the President in regard to
that matter which was not in the strict line
of his constitutional and official duty. That
there was no interference of any kind by the
| President or any member Of his ltdmlnstra-
ton against u full and fair expression Of the
testimony that the President frankly express
ed his views on the subject, and was sincere
in the opinions lie expressed, and that he
| labored faithfully to carry out the policy
that he believed to be consistent with the con-
stitution, and essential to the peace and har-
mony of the Union.
The ENGLISH BILL.-Mr. Winslow exam
ines infinitely the charges in respect to the
use OF money to carry the English BILL and
shows that so far as regards the President
or any member of his Admin istration, they
are utterly groundless and false: that the
idle stories told by Wendell, whatever inta-
my they may exhibit in himself when they
come to be siftcd, afford no evidence against
the President or any officer of the Govern
ment: but, on the contrary, his sincerity
and irrcproachable conduct is established by
the testimony of Horace T. Clarke, John Is.
HuSkin, and many other witnesses.
ELECTIONS, MAIL CONTRACTS, TEHrAHTE-
PFC route, Navy YARDS, AND Custom
| IiocsEs.-Mr. Winslow briefly refers to
these subjects, and shows that in all the
testimony on them, nothing has been found
| to east the least blame or reproach upon the
President or any head Of department; that
in respect to elections all political parties
| have been in the habit Of using money, but
the evil can only be corrected by state leg
! isation that whatever abuses may. have
existed in post Offices or navy-yardS, or Gus
| tnn-hou>ts, &C., the President had no knowl-
! / F,i