Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-11-06
Tha CoaetesniauaI Investigating Committee
NJ st lsuuis.


nt 81 LOuis'
Tbs Cincinnati Enqoirer publishes what
purpoyts to BE- an abstract OF the testimony
relative to frauds il the department Of the
W, St. taken in ST. Louis before the CongTes-
SIGNAL Investigating Committee, which closed
its lahoHs in that ely last week.
UThe 6rst act Of fraud charged is that
certain puties interested in government
contracts, among whom were Major Selover,
Lsoaiaas Haskau sad Others of California,
presented to The wife of Major MeKinstgy
"ecmple'e set Of silver service, Of the Jenny
lAnd pattern, which service cost 50, 900 and
upwards, being the finest ever made in the
West Msjor McKinstry was the Quarter
master General OF Fremonts department and
had charge Of the purchase OF all horses,
mules, and general supplies. The Committee
say in their report "the frauds in contracts
in The Qaartermastsr's Department are nu-
merous, and hare been clearly proven, and
extend through all branches Of his control
and supervision" Il strikes US if this is
90, that The stealings and cheatings there,
and not the presentation of plate, should
have been styled "the first act OF fraud, but
upon this we are not strenuous. If there are
frauds there, as alleged, let them be laid be-
fire Congress and the particulars furnished.
At the same time, We trust the Investigating
Committee will not rest with the Western
Department alone. Let all departments have
equally searching examinations made, and
the guilty parties be brought to justice wher-
ever Ihey are found
"The Sc ,ond act Of fcaud' is in The pur-
chase Of horses, where all the usual aad unu-
sual ao!d English Jockey tricks have been re-
serted to to put poor horses into The hands of
the government and money in the contract
sr's pockets, in both of which undertakings
the parties seem to have been completely sue
cessfai, as indeed it may be taken for granted
they ere at every purchasing depOs Here is
tbes'yls in which they do it at s.. Louis;
A party contracts to furnish 900 head Of
bols s, at sue so per head, to the Govern
men, through the QuIrtermsster. The coo-
tractor agent, who is approved by the Quar-
termaster, has charge of the field where the
contractors horses are to be passed upon
A eountryman, having horses to sell to the
Government pays $40 entrance fee to the
field. where hia horses are examined, and up
on the payment Of another fee OF $40, they
are recommended to the contractor, who pur-
chases tbs sam, at the very lowest figure
which, throughout the entire evidence
never exceeded $50 and $50 per head. The
contractor takes his purchases to the Inspect.
or. who is also reimbursed by a fee, which
amount is computed according to the quality
The animal. The contractor, on obtaining
A certificate from the Inspector, demands the
money of the QIartermaster, who pays tbt
same, wtIru- tir1 o0HHs Tor SAID payment |:
guaranteed.
A great deal of evidence was taken upor
this point which goes to show that MeKin
sry has made "big thing" out of it at th'
expense of government if it may be relied
upon, which Is somewhat doubtful
II is charged that hay was purchased at St
Louis and transported to Sedalia at a cost
when there, of SIS per ton, when "tte Com
uittse have accuu ula:ed evidence that fresh
hay from the stacks, and in abundance along
the entire route to Warsaw, can be obtained
atS6@ss per ton"
''The third act Of fraud is the building o
the ioTtiRcations at and around st. Louis
under which head, the evidence is very
voluminous. It is said that by order Of Gen
Fremont, Col. Hassendtrbel surveyed fvt
forts, 10 be built at cost of $4,000 each
which was doae, and which the Committee
fna no fault with, that we can discover
These were built without any intervening
contractor. Subsequently, E. L. Beard, o
California, received a contract .ov building
six more Notifications, similar TO the FIVE al.
ready constructed, the cost of which figured
up over $500, 900, upon which he had already
received $4,000. This, it is claimed, wa
the work stopped by Secretary Cameron.
''The fourth act Of fraud" is the house rem
OF ST, 900 paid for Fremonts head quarters
This has been repeatedly announced as being
false charge against him, as be has tn,
house free of any rent Which of the two
statements is the correct one, we have ne
means of knowing.
Further frauds are specified in the erection
Of barracks, the supply of wagons, CAM
utensils, picket pins, oats, clothing, blankets
St being also stated that the gun-boats which
are being built are contracted for at mucl
higher price than should be paid for them
Itis sa d that no frauds were found in tb
C1mnisssry Department.
The abstract says:
As the California contractors are allege
BY the Committee with being largely inter
ested in many Of these contracts, we Civ
their names: Joseph Palmer, Of the firm {
Palmer, Cook & Co LeOHidas Haskell; E.
Beard /; Major Selover, of the firm OF Selo
vsr 4 Sintern, Real Estate Auctioneer', and
G. Woods.
We have thus given an abstract of whs
purports TO be the abstract of the testimon
brouzbt before the COMMITTEES. As journal
ISIS noting the events of the day, we coul
4, no less We have persistently defende
Fremont from the beginning, but have ais
r,,eatedly said that if be was found to b
Z incompetent be should be removed. So mo-
we will not believe all these charges upo
mere reputed authenticity nor will We y
believe that Gen. Fremont was any party
then, If their existence is proved; but
is clearly aud conclusi7ely proved that he
implicated, then let him be srrsigned. BI
in any event, let him whip Price 6rst-f
can catch him.
P. S.-Since the a5ovs was in type, Il
telegraph announces that Ger. Fremont
removed.