, 1861-12-31
The Van Wyck ongxeasfoaal Comuzl<~
tee Investigating Corruption In tsae
Army---AIe. Porter, Straw Eats and
Pickles for the ARMY.

The Van Wyck kCong7esstoaalCo Commit"
tee 1nvestigatfnE Corruptiou IN tae
Army---A1e, Porter, STRAW Eats and
An exchange, in noticing the report Of the
Van Wyck Congressional: ! Investigating Com
mlttee says: =: =: ~
.secretary Cameron selected 8 Mr. Cumming,
de1pbia Bulletin, and for eighteen months one
of The publishers of the N8H York World, to
make arrangements for the purchase and for
warding Of supplies to Washington, busi-
ness that needed not only capacity, but extern
Mr. c.: WIS entirely deficient. But he was 4
bosom friend Of the Secretary Of War, and
| mnst be rewarded for his services; and what
booted it If the army In Washington did suffer
for want OF good clothing and wholesome food,
| tide to political friend and admirers
In addition to this, GoTernor Morgan. Of
! New York, appointed one George D. Morgan,
q relative and law partner, to act il eonaec-
tiSn soaS w'th IT. H. Mr GsHmmings and were
Within q few days after Cummings was in-
| vested with this authority, he drew from the
| bankers, through the Sub Treasurer, Nj.
Cisco, at New York, $aa5o, 600, s9o, 600 Of which
IS cummipgs insistz, Was applied to pay for
or by ME. Blatehford, 3 member Of the firm,
| aud the residue, $16o, COO, he placed to hia own
credit at the Park Bank Of New York city, and
| he staies in his evidence tint he made purcha-
ses for the Government to the amount Of
Ar. Cummings employed q clerk, Mr.. Jas.
I Humphrey, and exhibited in that, a5 in most
other transactions, confding disposition
| hardly consistent with thorough business
man engaged n public duty;
nothing whatever about this Humphrey, ex-
cept that Thurlow Weed said he was q s1elia-
bic" and upon this endorsement he vas au-
| tloriZad to make purchases sto an almost un-
limited extent, and how he proceeded, he tells
| himself;
| Question-Of whom did you purchase cloth
Answe1-I cannot recall the names now.
They were nearly all strangers to me, will
produce the vouchers.
| Odd you purchase the clothing in the
1uarkets
A-Yes, sir, called TO my assistance e
| clerk, through whom I purchased what could
Q.-Wlat we're the clothcs-fuu suits
A.-No, sir. There were tWo items which
covered the larger part Of the purchase -pan-
falcons and hats.
Q.-What did you do with them?
Al forwarded them to Annapolis.
Q.-On what rcqui=ition did you purchase
hats and pantaloon5?
A.-No requisitIon.
Q.-How came you to purchase hats and
pantaloons rather than anything clse2
A-becausH Thought they would be need
cd, as hot weather was coming on. 1 had
seen the soldiers pass through here with War1n
winter clothing, which / believed they could
not endure when the WARM weather should
come on.
Q.-Thcn you were guided By your Own III
formation and Judgment Us to what would be
needed ut Washington?
A.-Yes, sir. ...
| Q.-Had you any other guide?
1.-No, Sir.
Q.-Had you my limits imposed upon your
actions except such as were imposed by you1
, own discretion?
: mo, sir.
Q-Yon purchased such kind, quality, and
: amount rs was dictated by your oHn judgg
ment solelys
: 4A.--Yes sir.
r Tie clothing scas linen pantaloons a,ad straa
| hafs to tic anto1tn& Of olrr S21, 600.
: The same individual, under the direction o.
5 the Secretary of War, contracted with Bene
dict Hall for Is goo pairs Of Shoes at s. 70 pei
: pair, which were worth about $1.25, thereby
. | robbing the people Of about 70,000.
: Among the aray supplies purchased By Mr.
G Cummings are the following:
! $50 dozen pints Of ale and porter, at r,-
= IS uuintals cod ash 800 boxes her