The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1861-07-26
CURTIN'S NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
HOW A REPUBLICAN EDITOR TALKS.

1 II. A. Purviance, one of the Editors of the
| ReDorter and Tribune, OF Washington, Pa, In
letter TO hispaper, talks bitterly of CuTtin'S IN
| famous Administration, thus:
! The treatment OF the Pennsylvania voIun-
teers by the Stale government, has been the
subject OF general and deserved complaint. [
/ notice the Reporter with characteristic forbear-
ance and good nature, has been disposed to apoi-
/ oGise for the delinqueEcies of Gov. Curtin. /
have oeen the Governors political and personal
friend, but cannot and should not, overlook
The gross msmanagement, not to use harsher
word, which is constantly being exhibited IN
The fitting out, quartering, provisioning, &C., of
the volunteer forces OF Pennsylvania. Since I
have been here, have seen whole regiments of
Ohio, New York, Michigan and Rhode Island
troops, and IN every instance, the superiority
| OF their uniforms and equipments over those of
PennSylvanIa, was so marked as to challenge
1the attention even of the citizens here. Their
Uniforms were made of superior cloth: their
tkhapsacks OF leather, neatly finished, their ban-
! kets were OF superior size and quality, and ev-
eythlng about them betokened wise, generous
and active experimenting care They were all
noble looking fellows, proud OF their elegant
iFappIngs, and grateful DOUBTLESS, for the vigi-
| lant and honest patriotism that watched over
them in their career of glory, peril and duty.
turned from them With humiliation 10 our
own-equally worthy and deserving volun-
teers. found them clad in coarse Kentucky
jean biouses, and rotten casslnet pants, neither
OF which garments were lined or half sewed TO-
getber. The whole suIt might be bought in the
country stores of Green county, for from 81 to
$3.50 1t cost the government $40! Who
pocketed the enormous profits? Our clumsy
and unsightly knapsacks are made of The coarsest
muslin water-proofed with offensive pitch or
coal tar. Our haversacks are made of the same
material, and loaf OF bread after being stored
IN one for an hour, smells like pine forest of
North Carolina. There has been grand swim
die some place. and upon Governor Curtin The
blame must fall. II is possible that there is no
completely between him and the contractors.
but it is his bounden duty to see that none but
honest men are employed in the service of the
government, aud sternly 10 punish rascality
whenever and wherever 1t makes It's appear
-.sace in the public service It is, above al
tpihgS, DIS duIy 10 keep important uiIiIta:y con-
hacls, upon the faithful execution of which de-
pend the comfort and efficiency of thousands of
patriotic and self-sacrifcing citizens, clean from
The corrupt fingers Of political spectators. A
few such men might worm themselves into the
confidence Of the most upright Governor but
the dishonesty of which complain is all perva-
ding. Every department is beioulded Our
clothing and equipments are rude and wort h.
less; our provisions are scant and stale Our
quarters are comfortable or otherwise, Just as it
chances. Accident is the only agency that be-
friends US. Even in the matter Of trahsporta-
ton, we are neglected. The troops of other
States are carried in handsome passenger cars
De are herded like cattle in freight trains