The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1860-04-05
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN COvODE,
On the Corruptions of the Administration

SPEECH OF HON. JOHN C0V0DE,
On the Corruptions of the Administration
Before the Peoples State Convention at
Harrisburg, February 23 1860
Mr.. Govode, having been invited to ad-
dress the Convention. appeared on the
Speakers platform aud said:
M. President and Gentlemen:-I is
with pleasure that come among you, and
that | meet you on this occasion. You
have assembled here for the purpose of
putting 10 nomination a candidate for
Governor of this great and growing Com
monwealth. As my name has been used
in connection Herewith. let me say it has
been done without much effort Oh my part
to secure a nomination. Ihave made but
few personal appeals, and therefore, what
ever support may have had on this occa-
sion has come from you, gentlemen, with
out the usual pressure, for which | feel
grateful & will ever remember with pride.
You have nominated a gentlemen of dis
tinguished ability, one competent and able
to canvass the State, and proclaim your
sentiments. There are other great inter-
ests however, which override the question
of Governor. The contest for members
of Congress and for President of the u
nited States comes off during the next
Summer and Fall-a contest of vast i'm
portance, considering the principles in
volved in the controversy, and the great
interests which Pennsylvania has at stake.
We should be, therefore, firmly united to
carry our points against the corruptions
of the Democratic Administration. Let
me tell you we are about entering a strug-
gle, the like of which we have never un
dertaken, with a party which has to make
its last desperate effort in. Pennsylvania
against the principles of protection and
the elevation Of the laboring man, the
white man. LCortinued applause. In
view of the great Importance of driving
from power the administration which has
sustained itself only BY corruption, it is
necessary that every man should buckle
on his armor and 60 forth to victory
(Applause) Let nae tell you that this
administration has not been able to elect
a single member to Congress from Penn
sylvania without corruption or deception.
As member of an Investigating Commit
tee have made the important discovery
that the only power left to this admins
tration in the North is its patronage and
it's ability to use itcorruptly. (Applause.)
We have passed through struggle on
the Lecompton bill since l went to Con-
gress, in which we we're defeated--and
how! By direct negotiations.
A voice-Where did the money come
FRONT
Mr. Covode-The money came from
the Treasury Of the United States. indi-
rectly, and was taken from your pocket,
Mr. President, and mine. The most of
it was assessed and collected in the North,
not in the South; and used by corrupt
Administration in the shape of taxing
contracts, and ey levyipg contributions.
Let ne tell you some particulars connect
ed with this, as member OF the investi.
eating Committee on Printing. We made
the discovery that the contracts were let,
aud about twenty per cent, in many ca
ses, of the money paid by the Govern
ment for services went into the political
fund Of which Weodel was the banker.
Let me refer you to some of the names
and circumstances connected with this
State and with which you will become
more familiar. Out of sixty-nine con-
tractors, large mojority paid money on
contracts into this fund. 1t was assSer-
tanned that contractor had done about
hundred thousand dollars worth of lith-
ographing for the Government. He was
but his recollection was SO
faint that he knew nothing about bis own
business. (Laugbter.) observed to the
chairman Of the Investigating Committee
that | was not satisfied with his testimo.
ny, to the effect that the books were burn
ed His partner was sent for and gave
his testimony, that the books showed that
they had paid about twenty thousand dol
lars, out of the one hundred thousand dol
lars worth of work, to the party fund
The question asked him was, "Do the
books show thstl' He replied "yes."
Question Where are the books!
Answer-Iu the Office.
The clerk was sent for, and his testi-
mony agreed with that of the latter
Having obtained the books-(A voice
"Tbe burned books!') and being book
keeper, on investigation | found that a.
bout twenty thousand dollars were paid
to the officer and charged to the account
of PRINTING! mode which they under
stood 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 bow the money
came out of your pocket and mine, to fur
pisb means to those who we're engaged in
a crusade against the interests and liber-
ties of our country. One of the partici-
pants (Mr SeamaD) was ordered to be
put on trial by the House, and the next
thing we heard vas that be had gone to
Europe. On going back to Washington
to frank some commentator you know