Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1860-06-20
The Ccyode Committee.


This Committee presented a report on
the 10th inst, from which We extract the
following. Let every voter consider the
facts it presents. and read the report in
full, when it is printed
In regard to the Lccomrtou Con>titu ion,
they say the country viii paus. with aston
ishment over the shameless record. They
examined,
First, The emphatic and indubitaJle
pledges Of the President, as well before as
after lis election. and the pledge Of all his
Cabinet to the doctrine Of leaving the pco-
pie Of Kansas perfectly free to administer
their institutions in their own way.
Second, The deliberate violation Of those
pledges, and the attempt to convert Kan
sas into a Slave State by means Of forger-
ies. fraud and force.
Third. The removal and attempt to dis
grace the sworn agents of the Administra-
ton who refused to violate their pledges.
Fourth, The open employment Q fmoney
in the passage of Lccompton and English
bills through Congress.
Fifth, The admissions of parties engag-
cd in the work Of elcetionecrin this scheme,
that they received enormous sums for this
purpose.
Sixth. He offered to purchase newspaper
editors with extravaganza sums Of money.
Seventh. Even the prescription of Dem
ocrats of high standing, who would not
support the Lccompton and English bills.
Forney was offered the printing of the
Post Office blanks with at least $4,000,
on the condition that he should, by an cd
itorial no longer than 4 mans hand, sup
port the Administration in its Kansas pol
icy.
The Committee refer to the fact that 81
Democratic members of the House opposed
the Kansas policy, but this number dwin-
died down to twelve, and enough were found
to carry the bill through the House. The
Committee say 1t Lad always been suppOs-
cd the war in Washington was gotten up
for the purpose of fastening slavery on
Kansas. the troops being diverted to Oper-
atoms in Kansas.
The next point examined evolved the
abuses in the Philadelphia Custom House
and other public offices, in regard to which
the Committee say there were improper
combinations among Federal officers with
the view to control the sentiments and
prcjudiccs Of the people in their primary
movements.
Secondly, the improper and corrupt use
Of the public money in the employment of
persons in the public service, IN violation
Of the laws and Government regulations,
and the frauds on the part Of the officers
Of the Government to defeat the statute Of
the United States enacted for the purpose
of protecting thc public treasury from IN
just claims, and improvident and unncccs-
sary expenditures.
The witnesses are John II. Bryant, Fran
els & Samuel Rice, Francis Mccormick,
John f. Shell, Andrew Brumaker, Geo.
Dunlcy, Pat. Cafferty, John Dunn and
others.
They examined the subject Of the cxecu-
tive binding saying that Mr.. Pcttibone was
wrong in the matter and the patronage re-
tanned in the hands of the printers friend
most efficient. Wendell. The Committee
say the evidence was beyond a doubt that
the prices paid for the executive printing
and binding were utterly disproportionatc
to the work done.
The Committee also alluded to the en-
ploymcut Of men to carry elections.
In view ofall the facts and circumstances
attending this investigation from its com
mcnccmcnt to the present tiwe there seems
q marked propricty, in closing this report
with 4 quotation from a speech o. Mr.. BID
chanan in condemnation of corruption.
Mr.. Wilson moved that 10000 copies
Of the report be printed.
Referred to the printing committee.
Mr. Wilson was privileged to make a
minority report On Monday morning.