Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-08-22

others be seems disposed to judge fairly and
impartially. At one time he is Dr.. RUSSELL
At another be is tho correspondent of the
London Times
Il. B. Payne's Letter to Gov. DepnisOu.
H.B. Payne, Esq, is ont in last evenings
Plain Dealer with dogmAtical communica-
ton, some Two columns in length, addressed
to Governor Dennison, and purporting to
be reply to the Governors letter Of the
18th inst. demanding the evidence upOn
which the so-called Democratic Conver ton
charged the Executive Administration of
Ohio with corruption" &c. twill be recOl-
locted that the resolution Of the Democratic
Convention which opened this controversy
condemned "tbe corruption, extrsvsgsnce,
incompetence, and fAvOritism shown in the
War Department Of the S'ate and Federal
Governments The great cry among these
partisan Democrats has been corruption"
Their least scrupulous press have dwelt up
on it in almost every issue from the COM
msncement Of the war down to the present
tine. Under thess circumstances, it is quite
refreshing to see how graciousiy Mr.. Payn,
when compelled to attempt defence Of his
" corruption" resolution, steps aside and lets
the charge fall to the ground. We quote
from his letter:
HAnd first let me correct one or two er-
rsrs into which you have fallen in regard TO
the purport and scope Of the resolution. You
seem 70 consider It's accusations aimed prin-
cipally, if not exclusively, at the Governor
Of Ohio and the other State Authorities
Bat the language expressly condemns the
corruption, extTavaganee, ineompetency and
favoritism shown in the War Departments Of
the State and Federal Governments. A fair
proportion Of this censure was intended for,
and should be assigned to the War Depart
ment al Washington" -
HAnother error into which you have fallen
Is in extending the censure of this resolution
to parties for whom most palpably, it was
never intended. If these charges are well
founded you say The STATE authorities ought
Immediately to resign their official trusts =
The Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary, Comp
trolIer and Attorney General, as well as the
Executive, are usually classed as State au-
thorities. l am not aware that any charges
have been preferred against the incnmbents
Of those Offices And should the validity Of
these charges against your war Administers
ton be established / see no reason why they
should resign, unless it be from profound
commisseration for the Executive. Neither
was it intended by those who voted for the
resolution TO impeaeh the capacity or integri-
ty of the distinguished gentlemen who have
more recently been called to the principal po
sitions on your staff. I will 60 one step
farther and say for myself, that in approving
the resolution / had no intention of imputing
'corruption' to yourself personally"
here, then, NJ. Payne disclaims, for him
self and for the Convention, any iatsutOn to
charge corruption upen the Governor or
State authorities. After such an admission,
one would have supposed that respectable
gentleman" who valued his honor would have
laid down the pen. Not 50 with Mr.. Payne.
BE goes on to trump up newspaper para
graphs, written by disappointed Ofice-seekers
or those ignorant of the circumstances sur
rounding the transactions objected to, many
of which statements have since been retrast-
cd by their authors. Upon these. and cum
ninRiy-worded insinuatons, Mr.. Payne relies
70 blast the reputation of an honest man,
hoping thereby to obtain the success of bis
party. The burden of proof in such cases
rests upon the accuser, and until this SANDER
or shall adducs some evidence it certainly
viii not be incumbent upon the Governor or
the members Of his Administration to intro
duee rebutdng testimony In conclusion,
Mr.. Payne uses this significant Language:
al do not see what more can do for You.
The proposed examination, without power
TO 60 behind the files Of the ofice--to
send for persons and papsrs--and to exam
inc witnesses under oath, IS farce in which
most respectfully decline to engage"
To show how much cause Nr. Payne has
for the complaint that be has not the proper
facilities for "ttorough examination we
quote from the letter Of Governor Dennison
TO Mr.. Payne under date Of august l4th;
"Thst you may be prepared for the fullest
exhibit Of facts, invite you to q thorough
examination of everything relating TO the
War Department Of my Administration. =
Ali contracts, correspondence, records of
apeoIntments, and orders aPpertaining % the
Department you have attacked, shall be free
II exposed, and you shall be furnished with
copies ct VII teYer Papers you designate.
extend you also the liberty Of interrogst:hgd |
Al your pleasure, every officer in my star,
anh every sssistant in nv own and IN their |