Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1860-05-11
Public Printing Plunder.

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Below we give portion of the testimony taken
by the Covode Investigating Committee on the sub
ject of the public printing. We hope that none Of
our readers will fail to give IT their attention. and
learn from Wendelrs own testimony how the public
treasury is depleted by democratic Office holders to
sustain the government newspapers and carry
elections:
Cornelius Wendell was examined, and testified at
considerable length to the fact that he directed
by the President personally to pay very large sums
out Of his receipts for the public printing to sustain
Democratic newspapers in Washington and Phila-
deiphia. We give the following passage from his
testimony.
TUEspAY, Jan. 81, 1860.
Cornelius Wendellsworn and examined.
Qpesdon.-Mr. Wendell, who was chosen printer
to the Senate at the last Congress. AnsDer.-Wm
A. Harris.
Q-Aud who for the House of Representatives?
A.-James b. Steedman.
Q.-who executed the printing! Ans.-I did,
sir.
Q.-who executed the printing for the Executive
Department Al did, sir
Own you state how you came TO execute the
lprintingl A-By an agreement with Messrs. Har-
ris and Steedman, and portion of the Executive,
which was under the control of the Executive De-
partment
Q.--Mr Wendell do you know of any moneys
having been paid for the use Of the newspaper here
called the Constitution, for the Philadelphia Ar
gus, or the Pennsylvania, out of the earnings of
the public printing! A.--Yes, sir my impression
is that there agreement in writing with the
Pennsylvania am not positive, but think there
; was none for the Philadelphia Argus; was the
owner of the Constitution myself until March
last
\ Q-Has there been any money paid for the use
lofs lao
e A.-Yes, sir.
Q-Do you know of anysother moneys paid by
the party who executed the public printing, for 9TH
er uses the request of nny officer of the Govern
ment for other purposes than the newspapers that
have been above mentioned2 Al have paid a
good deal of money for party purposes myself
D Q-Were you required 10 do so or called upon
TO do so? Al cannot say that was any further
than as partisan; suppose as had an unbound
ed amount of money, andbeing willing to spend il
for the pGrty,I was asked to do 50 but never ifi.
peratively directed
Q-Whom were you called upon by2 A.--Thei,
name legion
ABOUT The PURCHASE OF THE UsIoS-Row IT WAS
PAID FOR.
r. FRIDAY; Feb. 3, 1860
b., Examination of Mr.. Wendell resumed
Q.-Who was the Superintendent of Public
Printing! A.--Geo. ". Bowman.
Odd he continue to hold that office during
his whole term? A.--No, sir he resigned on th
/ 9Th Of May, 1859.
Q.-Do you know who succeeded him in Office
!. A.--John Heart, who now holds the Office.
Q.-liave you the contract of which you spok
y bctore2 A.--Onc of them.
70 The witness exhibited the following paper.
WASHINGTON, March 26, 1859.
GENTLEMEN You were consulted by us concern
ing the transfer which has this day. been made be
tween US of the Union newspaper. You know tn
views and eypcctations which influenced us on boil
sides While we do not contemplate the slightes
e. difficulty, yet it is possible that some collision
s. Interest, or some difficulty of opinion concerning
our rights or duties, may hereafter arise In tina
', event, we have agreed to leave questions betwee
H' us to your nrbihament and yonr decision shall h
binding and conclusive upon MS both. II you shal
J" differ YOU may choose some third person as um
Is pire. 1t is, as you know, understood between us
that the purchaser of the Union shall not he com
pettOr with the seller for any portion OF the EXecu
= tive work now done by Mr. Wendell at his Office
but that Mr. Bowman shall receive at the rate Of tice
u MOUsGHi dollars per Gnapa so long as NeTGe
continues todo the tcork he does Rotc, bit lang
er. If the work aforesaid be withdrawn from Wen
dell his obligation to pay this twenty thousand do
lars shall llcesse lfany considerable portion is with
- drawn, it will be for you to decide whether Wer
u dells payment shall cease or in what proportion
shall continue.
~ We are, very respectfully, your obedrnt servan
' &. WENDELL
- G. w. BOWMAN.
Messrs. A. o. P. Nicholson and j. S. Black.
BY the Chairman
:. Q-These are the signatures of yourself and N
Bowman? A-They are, sir.
Q.-Will you state to the Committee what o.
CURED at or about the time of this transfer in re
ton to the public printing, and the payments mao
by you out OF its proceeds2 About the clo
: Of the last Congress | was very desirous to mGl
some change in the condition of the paper and Il
Performance of the public printing and made
proposition to give the paper TO the Administratio
H To place il nt the disposal Of the Administration o
% criug to contribute from the prosofthc work SIC
iu' O00 per annum TO support it-l mean from the pr
fits OF the work at the disposal of the President
made the pToDOsih0a 10 The President direct. Aft
some considerable negotiation, the transfer WI
made. This paper was written TO express our yiey
and sentiments, aud Mr., Bowman took possession
the amount being increased from $4,000 to 81
r. 600 per Rnuum, as Is expressed in that stipulation
Q.-At whose suggestion was the amount il
orcasedl A.-Not at mine; it came from some ge
. 'tcpen connected cithhe Administration The view
em and expectations which influenced us ON both sid
H. were that Mr.. Bowman would be elected Printer
nts Congress or at least tothe Senate and that shou
do the printing, receiving greater portion Of &
emoiumcnts thorefrom as remuneration for q
- paper, paid him on the lth day of April $50
on account Of the 100000. For three of the $50
have a receipt the other 50 600 he declined l
ccipting for, because il to 90 to Mr. Baker, {,
eotor of the port Of Phladclnhia az the agent
The Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, as understo
III. which money paid through friend to him.
Q.-'ro Bowman or to Baker? Al cannot S
whether to Bowman or Baker | think the mon
went to creditor of the Pennsylvania. III
however do not know. Mr. Megargoe, Of Phil
49, delphia, was the friend through whom paid I
r1 money. The stipulation, it will be Observed
quires me 10 pay George W. Bowman $2o0 I
annum. Twas Informed that one haifof the amou
was 10 go TO tle Pennsylvania During the yea
gave him orders IS per his receipt TO me, TO I
,,r amount OF $500 20.
hE' Q.--N hen was the Union transferred to the p
session of Mr. Bowman? Al appears by &
agreement that it was March 20 1889.
Q.--Was Mr. Bowman superintendent Of pub
printing when thls arrangement was made "
himl Ale was.
y, Q--Are, the prices of public printing fixed
l,.t tl,n Ia, v,Gl =