Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-05-13

tract on file in the office of the Commissary
General.
WIN T BASCOM,
Private Secretary.
G.. w. Runyon, being sworn, stated
The Governor telegraphed me TO come to
Columbus; did SO; found the Governor, Gen
Cox and others in consultation. Companies Of
volunteers were arriving, FIVE companies then
being in, The Governor directed myself and
Mr.. Buttles to find quarters for them on the
best terms we could. We made arrangements
for one company at the Goodale House at ST. 25
per day; two companies at the United States at
rs cents per day; one company at the New
England at rs cents per day; one company at
the Buckeye at ST. 90. We reported our ar :
rangement to the crowd in the Governors Of
fee, and the Governor approved Of it.
The Governor then directed Mr.. Buttles and
myself to look up suitable parties that would
contract to subsist the volunteers. We went
to Mr.. Butler and made the proposition to him
be asked time to consult his friends. After
such consultation he offered to subsist the men
at the rate of so cents per day--which PROPOSE
tion was submitted by them to the Governor, who
directed Mr.. Cox to draw upa contract at those
rates, which he did. signed It as Commissary
General, and the Governor Immediately endors
ed on it his approval.
When the contract was made, did not know
what the cost per day would be to subsst the
men on army rations, but by subsequent esti-
mates find that it would be about II cents per
day. The Governor thought it would not do to
bring the volunteers Immediately to army ra-
tions. Contracts were made under the emer-
gency, without due consideration
Many companies came into camp without or
ders and in fact against orders.
have not, neither am to receive any con-
sideration, either directly or indirectly, In CON
sideration for the giving of such contract, from
Butler, Donaldson & Co., or any other parties
Didn't make any contract with Wheeler, Failing
& Co for subsisting volunteers, and know moth
ing about the contract. '''
Subsistence furnished by contractors has beer
entirely satisfactory to me, except In few cases
when the butter was bad; believe the contrac
tors have used great diligene in making prep
arations for the accommodation of troops.
Mr.. Donaldson, being duly sworn, stated
that Mr., Comstock came into his Office on Apri
l7th, Mr.. Butler being In the office, and pro-
posed that they should make an offer for sub
sisting the men. We went in search of Mr.
Runyon, and found him, together with Genera
Buttles, In carriage on the street. We offeret
to subsist the troops at SO cents per day. Mr.
Runyon requested us to submit our offer In writ
ing to the Governor, which we did. We neve
made the contract with Mr.. Runyon, but witt
the Governor. Don't know of any considera
tion to be given to Mr.. Runyon, either direct
ly or indirectly, on account Of said contract.
| Mr.. Comstock sworn: Stated that be know
of no consideration given or to be given to Mr.
Runyon on account Of any contract, either di
rectly or indirectly.
Col. ANDREWS, Of the House, being called
stated that he knew nothing in regard to sal
contract.
Mr.. BLAKESLEE, of the House, being call
ed TO state what he knew In reference to th
contracts, and any improper action or motive
in connection Herewith on the part Of Mr.. Run
yan--stated that he knew nothing about the cor
tracts further than seeing the copies Of some o
them. And has no knowledge Of any imprope
l action or motive on the part Of Mr.. Runyan I
connection Herewith. l.....l n,
The STATE OF ONO, EXECUTIVE DEPARvmENTl
.t-.i-., 4 CoLuMBps, May 10, 1861,
4. ,GENrLEMEN;- ;- My recollection of the ciroum
stances connected with the subsietence contrae
\ you acknowledging, is 90 follows; On receiyin
il the President's Proclamation, calling for thir
teen regiments from Ohio, / directed Commits