The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-07-26
An Investigation PrOmised.--Gene
Wool.

In pursuance of resolution introduced
by Mr.. VAN WICK, of New York, the
Speaker of the House has appointed as a
Committee to inquire into the subject of
army contracts, Messrs. VAN WICK, WASH.
BURNE, HOLMAN, FENToN, DAWES, STEELE
of New Jersey, and JACKSON, of Kentucky.
Five OF the committee are lawyers and the
other two practical business men,, The
Herald correspondent says:
Mr.. Van Wyck, the Chairman, has been in
Washington most of the time since the army
of occupation has been here, and has observed
the kind of provisions that have been dealt out
to our troops, and the quality and quantity of
clothing distributed among them. He has in
formed himself to some extent of the manner
in which ships have been chartered for trans
portatiOn purposes, and how cattle have been
purchased, from whom. and what reputation
the parties bear with whom some of the con-
tracts have been made. 1t will be shown
whether some of these contractors were Civ
ing laid and comfort" to the enemy when the
federal government saw fit to select them in
preference to thousands of good loyal citizens,
who were ready to supply the government
with all the cattle and provisions needed. The
great coffee and pork frauds will be ventilated,
and various other things too mum 'rous to men,
ton. The manner in which horses have been
purchased by authority OF the government. in
different parts of the country by agents de-
tailed to that duty. will afford material for
most interesting chapter.
The Washington correspondent of the
Herald, in lengthy letter, gives circum-
stantial account of the reasons why Gen.
Wool, the experienced commander in the
war of 1872 and the Mexican war, is kept
in retirement, while politicians and civilians,
who have not the least qualification for the
positions, either by nature Or education, are
appointed to the command of our gallant
soldiers. 1t appears it is matter OF CAM
ERoN's contracts which keeps the old hero
in New York village, while the public
service is suffering for just such officers.
Gen. Wool, while in New York, at the
breaking out of the revolution, interviewed
to prevent the Pennsylvania followers of
the Secretary from plundering the govern
ment, retarding military operations, and
SlcdIIUS iIOu luC oOlOiClOs LIZ pun al CIV
tual stop to all such rascality and msman-
agement. And this, the Herald correspond
ent urges, is the reason why the old veteran
was "turned out to grass" Since then,
SIMoN's camp followers have been having
things all their own way. The correspond
| ent also shows the great value of the SER
vices General Wool performed during his
brief stay in New York. 1t was to him,
in fact, that the credit of securing the fed
eral arms in the Arsenal at st. Louis, be-
longed, and his services in forwarding and
equipping troops were equally valuable.
The Herald demands, on behalf of the pub.
public, that a joint investigating committee
be appointed on the treatment of General
Wool and like operations. Unless some.
thing of that sort is done the lobbyists
who have so long fourisbed unmolested al
Albany and Washington, will resolve them
selves into disastrous army and navy worms
and prove an expensive appendage to the
war, causing the loss of millions by theil
operations.