The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1860-04-27
SPEECH OF
nan. VILLIlN BIGL h R.
N DEFENCE CT GEN. BOWMAN,

/ Y
DELIVERED IN THE SENATE OF THE U. S,
JANUARY l7rH, l66O
Now, sir, want 10 say something about the
nominee of the democratic party for the office
of Public Printer, and want to say it III all de-
ference and kindness to others. l have known
General Bowman for twenty years, and have
been on terms OF intimacy with hm. have
maintained official relations with hum, for he
was Adjuiant General by my aPpolatmsnt,
when had the honor of being Governor OF the
State OF nnsylvanla and hazard nothing
in saving that no man in the State has main
tanned higher reputation for honesty and In-
tprrity. ] never heard imputed TO him any
thing like an unworthy motive or corrupt ac-
ton. Il suits some newspapers 70 rdicule him
as brigadlef general: He never was br'gadier
general at all. He commenced as major gem
eral in 1912, under the commission of Cover
nor Porter. In 1913 be was appointed adju-
,aot general BY Governor Skunk and in 1917
he mustered the two regiments that PennSylva-
MA furnished for the Mexican war, into the
service. He did that with great despatch and
energy, to the entire satisfaction OF the Gov
ernor and the War Department. a fact con-
nected with that duty, goes somewhat to reflect
the character OF General Bowman u show at
least that be is not mercenarS man, seeking to
pocket the public money. After the war, sand
when the legislature of Pennsylvania were COM
p!imentjng The men and officers, and voting ex-
ira nav 10 others engaged ii the service, pro-
posilion was made to paw General Bowman
$1,000 extra for mastering these regiments IN
10 service, which ne promptly arrested, saying
when he took that office he knew what the SAL
ary was that it was understood that he was 10
perform all the duties that might de"olVe upon
h,m for thatIsalary and therefore, he could not
allow his friends 10 ask additional pay for him.
Then, sir, at later period, in. 1888, when he
was adiutant general by my own appointment,
a certain military storekeePer IN the State OF
Connscticut wrote to General Bowman, sugges-
ting to brm, tha, if he would make a draft on
him for some OF Colts pistols instead of making
it upon the ordnance department here foF the
quota to which Pennsy lvanla was entitled, be
could be Handsomely rewarded, lnhmating to
bim that eight or ten thousand dollars could be
realized 10 that way. What did General Bow
man do Z Like an honest man ne sent the cor
resnondence 10 President Pierce. The case
was referred 10 the War Department, then un-
der the able control of the senator from Mssis-
suppl, ms. DAVIS i proceedings were lnStIIn-
ted =; a court-nartial had Gnneral Bowman ap-
peared and testified against thus man and be
was broken of his commission and turned out OF
the service.
So he stood when this question OF the ap-
rointment Of Superintendent Of Public PRINT
ins came up, having for a.quarter oi century
published newspaper at Bedford, and main
laiDed high reputation as citizen. 1t Is
rue that some politicians thought him eXci'abIe
and violent, and somewhat unreasonable but
nobody ever doubted his honesty. de was no
aDnhcant for the office of Superintendent, as
hannen 10 know but the President oi the Uni
ted States having unfavorable impressions as TO
the management of that department under the
rrp,Iecessor of Gen Bowman, determined not
10 retain him longer; and casting about for a
man who had his unlimited confidence, invited
Gen. Bowman 10 take the Office. He came
here not ir the capacity OF an ofice-seeker, bu,
because he was invited.
Now, SIR, as to his career as Superintendent
of the Public Printing, appeal TO the Com
mit,ee on Printing, who were most intimately
associated with hIm, what was the result OF
their observation d? Whether he did not show
every disposition to guard the treasuryf lbeg
leave to alude TO some changes which have
been made IN that service, some OF Whlch were
suggested by him others promoted by hm al
ter suggestions from other quarters and all OF
which received hls cordial and active support (;
aud by which. permit me to say, be has mani
festly drawn upon himself great deal OF out
side hostility. First, he arrested the practice
of double composition, which had prevailed pre-
viousy. 1t is now prevented by law. The
recommendation is contained in the report OF
1858, as are the reasons for 1t. This will save
some twenty-five thousand dollars per annum,
and which entered INTO the large profits to
which the senator from Mississippi REFERS
Then, again, by awarding contracts for paper
to the lowest bidder; making bis advertisement
so as 10 furnish the samples himself, and not take
samples furnished by the paper makers; and
making contracts absolutely to the lowest bid
der, is another OF his reforms. This saves some
twenty thousand dollars year. The practice
Of furnishing members of Congress with bound
duplicate volumes has also been arrested, which
cost some tbirty-seven thousand dollars year
omitting maps, charts, and useless stalIs'ics'
hassaved in all SAC, 900 year. Then there
"a deduction Of one clerk IN the ofhce, which
vas exclusively under his control, $I,soo'-