Union County star and Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1859-1864, 1860-05-04
Most Startling Disclosures

NUSt OtUl lliilS DlCoiUculCI
In the L. S. Senate, soon after the
meeting of the present Congress, a
Committee was raised to investigate
alleged corruptions growing out of
the printing of Congress. This Com,
mittee have made a voluminous re,
port, establishing, by the testimony OF
the Democrats themselves, the follow
ing facts:
l. That the sums paid for printing were
enormously large, aifording immense profits.
:. That large proportion of the plunder
Thus obtained, was used 10 sustain Democrat
ic newspapers and TO purchase Democratic
votes.
3. That the so-called Observation-Disclosures
lean party was IN the pay of the Administra-
ton, for the purpose of defeating the Repub-
, Ncans.
4. That the President of the United States
was fully cognizant of these netariouS trans
actions, and in several cases directed how the
punder should be distributed.
In proof of the above statements we
subjoin the following testimony, taken
UelOfe the committee:
Testimony of Cornelius Wendell
TUESDAY, Jan. 81, ls6O.-Cornelius Wen
dell sworn and examined.
z. VT. Wendell, who was chosen printer
TO the Senate al the last Congressl
A. William \. Harris.
q. And who for the House of Representa-
tives1
A. James B. Sleedman.
z. Who executed the printing!
A. | did, sir.
Q. VIII you state how ycu came 10 exc
cute the printing!
a. BY an agreement with Messrs. Harris
and Steedman and portion of the Execu-
tive, which was under the control of the Ex-
ecuiive Department.
O. What sums have you paid to the par
ties elected or having the right TO execute
this public printing as a consideration for
executing ityourself, and receiving the prl-
ces fixed by lawl
A. think $4,000 odd to Steedman;
think S2s,000 10 Mr. Harris.
q What other sums of money, other than
these two, have you been called upon 10 pay,
or have you paid
A. Ipaid to Mr.. Rice, of the Pennsphrani-
besides the two sums mentioned.
z. Any other sums, Mr.. Wendell
A. To Nr. Severus OF the Philadelphia
Argus, rising $4,000. The total charge is
S7,l5O, but portion of that was not directly
for the Irsus. Those may be considered by |
the direction of the Executive.
z. Do You say, to the ArsuS, "by direction /
of the Executive =
A. Yes, sir.
q. | thought understood you, the other
day, to say thai there was no compusion ex-
ercised upon you to pay; but YOU considered
you were, TO a certain extent, bound 10 give
10 the Argus2
A. Under the arrangement with RICE.
4 How me TO say that Rice obtained the con
tract, and then Severns and his friends
claimed a part and was directed TO reduce
the amount to Rice, and pay an amount 70
Severns.
q. Who directed you!
A. The Executive.
@. Whom do vou mean by the Executive!
A. JAMES BUCHANAN.
q. Was this done verbally and personally!
A. Personally.
q. Did you consider ii necessary for you 10
,ay these sums as a condition on which the
printing was to be continued in your hands
A. Most certainly did. That have an
wered before. | have contributed towards
he expenses of the party other sums, but
one that | considered TO have reference 10
nv obtaining or retaining the work.
q. At these conversations with the PreSi-
ent, was was PRESENT.
A. On some occasions Mr.. Bigler, think,
rho present.
Q. Mr.. Wendell, how much year do you
ppr bap tpI
A. think during the past four years.
ave contributed directly or indirectly $780,
90. /,