Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-19
. .lHerald's Dlspatch.l

klhohaiub ObphtCn.l~ l~r .Nf.sFHH
This afternoon the pickets of Blenker's d.
vision were driven In by the enemy. The reb-
els we're soon driven back, and many of them
killed. --s.4ss, 1870
The Secretary of war has submitted to Con-
grees O.. statement Of Quarter ermaster. General
Meigs, asking the early appropria ation Of Al OOO
600 to complete and pay for the gunboats, NOR.
tar boats ana tug boats Of the Western Aotilla,
90 that they may not be delayed at St. Louis
until the Interruption Of navigation BY Ice. He
states the $l,5OO,OO0 appropriated BY Congress
at the last session is,eufcient only for the con-
struction, equipment and maintenance of seven
of the gunboats; and without expressing any
opinion as to the necessity Of the feet ordered
TO be built by General Fremont, be thinks the
Governments is bound to pay for them, and that
If armed, equipped and well manned, they will
add TO the strength of the army In the West,
and the success Of the expedition intended to
open the Mississippi. .5csz i-- s1-
The report of Chief Ensipeer Barnard, which
| has just been submitted TO Congress by General
Cameron, shows that the defenses around
Washington consist of forty works, mounting
three hundred guns; that the whole defenses oc-
cupied are about thirty-fve miles, exceeding by
several miles the famous works on Torres We
das, the most extensive Notifications of this
kind known in modneEn times. Gen. Barnard
asks the appropriation Of $l50, 900 from Con.
gress for the completion Of these works. G
Secretary Cameron has also submitted to
Congress- a report In favor of an appropriation
of 10000 for putting our coast defenses in
order from the Lakes around to San Francisco,
large portion Of which Is to be devoted to the
defsnses of New York haIbor. 'ssltrH y
Mr.. Van Wyck'e Investigating committee TO-
inquire into Government contra racts, say Ia their
report, they have examined two hundred and
sixty-fve persona. The report embraces eleven
hundred pages, and their labors are far from
being finished. TheyprCpose TO push the inves-
hgation vigorously, 30 long as 1t "a demanded
II The affair of the steamer Cataline was thor
oughly sifted. There was great conflict 10 the
evidence as to what would be O fair price for
charter and cost Of running her. flsi s'He'
The committee especially call attention to an
arrangement between the Secretary of the
Navy and Mr.. Morgan for purchasing vessels
for Government. =, SO s.,-,-Sal.9 :. I
The committee next considered the subject
/ Of the purchase of arms. The extraordinary de-
msnd for them resulting from the conspiracy 70
overthrow the Union, had resulted In an extra.
ordinary expenditure, and, exciting the cupldity
Of large numbers Of persons both In Europe and
America, has opened system of unprecedented
lspeculation. The Government has been the
victim OF more than one conspiracy, and remark
able combinations have been made to rob the
Treasury. The profits from the sale ofarms to
the Government have been enormous, and real
ized, too, In many instances, even by our own
citizens, through system Of brokerage as un-
principled and dishonest, as unfriendly to the
success and welfare of the nation, as the plot
lings Of actual treason; the Government and
the several States entering the marketin active
and direct competition, stimulating, 1t is true
to some slightextent and temporarily, the Inn.
4 portation and manufacture OF arms, but scarcely
compensating for the general prohigacy In the
Expenditure of the public Treasure -
Tho committee examined into army supplies
and say In the Western Department especially
acquisitions have supplied the place of con,
tracts. 70 a9&A4AAA A,@' ''A '''N %
The committee gay in the purchase of cattle
there have been gross msmanagementa; and In
the purchase Of horses and wagons in New
York they find great Irregularities.
The committee also say, man by the name
of Wood, enjoying the confidence of the Pres
4 dent, was appointed Comhissioner Of Publl,
Buildings, a place SECURING not only great bus
mess capacity, but unAinching integrity; ant
that Wood, from his own declarations, mad,
himself an instrument for plundering the Gov
II tctnmeut. 1uo cummibtcop III iuc utbcutRo q
their duty, made representation Of the fact
! to the Executive, but before any action wal
i taken the Government was relieved BY his res
ignation. -. ..---- -
! The committee next approach the subject ol
4 IfortifcatiOns al ST, Louis The circumstance
, dsuftopnding this work being Of the most extra
4 ordinary charaoter,an marked By extraya
ifgance, reckltssness, characterization and fraud
q they express The hope that some means may b,
Hound TO mskethe parties 10 the sttfocious con
! tract disgorge the sums out Of which the Gov
Il ernment has been defrauded, and that the la
bOrers who have done the work on the faith 3
4 the Government, will not longer be delayed i
receiving theft just dues va The committe
fonnd that most astounding and unblnshin
D frauds had been perpetrated in the purchase q
-fhUfgoB and niui6sss5 81 q ~
lglW AsHNaFoE, Dec. ls s4The business of th
Senate In executive session has been confne
ltoreferring to the appropriate committee th