Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1861-12-19
MLAPnIs. Dec. IA.
FIRST SESSION

WAsaIAGros, Dec. ~.
HorsE-Nr. Van Wych's Investigate Coal.
mi.tee to enquire into Government contracts, say
in their report that They have examined 2oo per-
spus. II e,epgrt embraces IL page, and the r
abors are far from be.zg finished. They propose
& rush the invest CATION vigorously SO long
they demanded by the public Interests.
The ailIr OF the sea .ner Catalina was thorouL-
= siftel and there 1as great conf CT in the es:
dence as what would be q tai price Of cnarter
ami COS, ruuniLg her.
The Committee especially call attention 10 tic
arrau.o.en' between the Secretary Of the Navy
and Mr.. .iorgan tor purchasing sesses fer the cox
erImeht.
Tho Committee next devoted themselves 70 he
subject ot the purchase o arms. The ex.rlordin-
4ry demand for them resulting from the conspiracy
t. overthrow the Union, has resulted in an extra
ordinary expenditure. ani tae exceeding cup iity
q. large numbers .. pe:sJns, both in Europe ami
America has opened = system If unprecedented
speculation. Iae Gorer.lDent has been the VIC
tim az more than ore conspiracy, aud remarkable
conoin atiors have be formed to rob the Treas
uaTy. Profits from the sale 4" rms 70 the Coy
ment have beeu enormous, aLl rcaiizei too, ~
many ns tancss, even BY our own CITIZENS, through
systcn of brokerage as unpiiLc.Il Ilet and dishon-
n a. untrierdv to tae success and welfare Of the
nation, as ;hc plOtfiags 81 actual treason. lie
Government q "a the scvera. States entering the
inarke. in active and direct competition stiAu.at-
Jag, ii il true ;o son git extent aid temp ora
scarcely inYeu,ating for general profiigacy in
The c4 c4Ycnaturc Of tic li.Glic treasure. Inc Con-
uittcc Examined into army supplies, aud say IN
he western department esFecially, requisl tons
have supplied the place CT contracts. ihe Con
laittee cav in the purchase Of cattle there have
been gross .sn ara eIaa eats, ard IL the purchase
| oi horses ard wagons in New YORK they md great
J irregularities. I ne Committee also FAY man by
| the name Of Wood EN- y ing the confidence o. the
Presiden., was spp,i. ed Commissioner Of Pab'ic
Buildings, place requiring not cniy great eIsi-
ness ca acity, Lut urhiEchiLg integrity, ard that
/ " ocd from his xn declaration. made himself al
! instrument for LiundeTing the Corercment. Inc
Committee, Il dscL argc of their duty, made re-
preseata tioa OF the faets 10 tue ExecuYe.bui De-
fore tai ing any action te Government wac re.ieV-
! Ell BY hs resignation. :.
! The committee mex. Approached the subject
Of io..icatons 8. s.. Louis tie circumstances
.urryurjirg this work icing Of the most ex.
uaoriinary characts sr, and narEeG Dy exi raya
! rance rscklessLess, insIboIdiDat!en and fraud
! They exrre.s the hope hat s1me means o. ~
he found to make tie parties disgorge The
L sums oft OF which the Governnent has been
d-f,anAed. and The lsborers who have done the
work on the filth OF the Government. will mol
longer be deleye1 in receiving '6eir lust cues
TIE committee found thst most astounding
and unbluahing frauds had been pefpelrstso
] IN the purchsse Of horses and mules.
SgSATE-The business of the Senate IN execu
tive session mas been confined N referring to ics
aprropr ate committee the appointments made Q,
the President during the recess Of Congress, ano
heretofore published.
T.e PROCLAMATION OF Gen. Phelps, published .
Ship Island, is coademnei by al. classes Of poiit
clans. Il was his individual act and must there
fore bs regarded accordingly.