Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-03-09


used bya corrupt Administration in the shape
Of taxing contracts BY levyipg contributions.
Let me tell you some particulars connected
with this, as member of the Investigating
Committee on Printing. We made the dis
coYery that the contracts were let. and about
nventy per cent. in many cases OF the money
paid by the Government for services, went in..
20 the political fund of which Wendell was the
banker. Let me refer you to some of the
names and circumstances connected with this
State, and with which you will be more Ia
miliar. Out of sixty pine contractors, large
majority paid money on contracts into this
fapd. Il was assertained that contractor
had done about a hundred thousand dollars
worth of lithographing for tie Government
He was subpened but bis recollection was so
faint iha. he knew nothing about has own busi-
ness. tLaughter.) observed to the chair
man of the Investigating Committee that was
not satisfied with bis testimony, to the effect
that the books we're burned, His partner was
sent for, aud gave his testimony, shat the
books showed that they paid about twenty
thousand dollars out of the one hundred thous-
and dollars worth Of work, to the party fined
The question asked hin. was, DO the books
show thata He rep!ied, Yes
Question-Whcre are the booksl
Answer-In the Office.
The clerk was sent for, aud his testimony
agreed with that Of the latter. Having OBJ
tanned the books, and being book keeper, On
investigation | found that about twenty thous-
and out of the one hundred thousand dollars
were paid to the officer, aud charged to the
or NH fhauu mn
derstood in order to balance the cash book
When asked how this could be afforded, the
reply was that so much the more was charged
for doing the work. Thus, Mr.. President, you
will see how the money came out of your and
my pocket to furnish means to those who were
engaged in crusade against the interests and
liberties of our country. One of the partlcl-
pants (Mr. Seamsnl was ordered by the House
TO be put on trial, and the next thing we heard
was that be had gone to Europe On going
back to Washington TO frank some documents
for you know they compelled me TO do that
personally, although since they lost Minnesota
they have ceased TO enforce the rule. found
that Mr.. Seaman had not been put upon bis
trial. [Laughter.
Let Inc relate another fact. Another con-
tractor handed over, at different times, to Sea
man abou; $40, 900, fer which be did not take
a note, aud never expected is back again, but
which be called loan. When asked, s'what
did you do with that money!" "Why," said
he, "don't put this down as testimony; | used
it to carry elections in Pennsylvania. More
than douoe that was spent in 1858, but it did
not damage you any referring to myself
i viii assure you | did not give dollnr to
your district" | asked him why! He re-
piled, ''when Mr.. Buchanan handed me let
ter, asking me 10 furnish thousand dollars to
beat you, | teii him it was no use, and il was
ouly throwing money away"
The matter then got into the New York Tri-
bune ard came to Mr.. Buchauau's eye. He
sent for Wendell aud said, 81 want You to de-
ny the truth of these statements Wendell
replied, 81 cennof." lie came and told me
what had taken place. And Why was nob this
testimony published? A majority Of that
committee was Democrats. But, gentlemen,
We have committee now that will probe these
fellows to the bottom. L is for this We s;rug.
gled eight weeks, day aud night, for victory,
and though you may thiGE it small, / hope
there are great results 10 come from it. Wen
tells testimony, lately taken, will show you
that aa vent into the doubtful districts of
Pennsylvania aud expended large sums OF mon
ey to defeat US. Whilst suffering from the
sting OF guilt for engaging in such tfansac-
tlons, Mr.. Buchanan sent that pious letter to
the Pittsburg Centenniary Celebration, rela-
tive to the use Of money in elections, and tried
TO throw II off on Us. This is the power be-
bind the throne, and which is used in the North
10 PROSTATE and crush the liberties Of the pao-
pie. Applause.] Ii would take me a whole
day to develop this corruption, aud / have on
ly gwen Que or TWO cases as specimens Wen
dell was subsequently brought before the com
mltteo; after We had traced enormous sums of
money into his hands We asked him to testify.
He refused, when We referred him TO the law
framed by Ritchie, of Allegheny, which gave
US power 10 imprIson for contumaey. He came
back the next cay and testified, and for giving
that testimony, and for refusing to 90 10 Jail
for two weeks, the name of The Union was
changed to The Constitution. Wendell was
thrown overheard and Bowman brought in
Wendell then threatened 70 diyuge the whole
concern, but just before the meeting OF Con-
gress they gave him contract which woull
pay for keeping squiet. Great laughter aud
a'hinenSe ai'piauss.l Uehtiemeo, am party
anan above all considerations, and | believe
that the interest of the party which subscribe
20 is the interest Of the country. [Appause. l
| am prepared to enter the contest. We
have to elecs our members Of Congress, our
Governor, our President, and rescue the con-
troll of this Government from the hands oil the
spoilers; for, if they are allowed TO retain
possession four years more, the machinery of
the Government will beeope more complicated,
and it is unlikely that we shall be able to as
sumo the power of the Government Threats
have already been made that, if we elect Re-
publican President, it will dissolve the Union.
SO we were told if we elected Speaker
During the last contest for Speaker, scores Of
speeches were made, declaring that in the
event Of the election of a Republican Presi-
dent, the Union should be dissolved Tnis