Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-12-19
Ehe "WarPiOr CGaling for
SeFVlcei
This Mornings Report.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.

REPORT OF COMMITTEES.
WASHINGTON, Dec. II.
Van Wyck's Investigating Committee to
INQUIRE into Government contracts, say il
their report they have examined 265 per.
sons. The report embraces l, 100 pages
and their labOrs are far from being I'm
ished. .e..
They propose to push investigation Vigor.
ously go long as they are demanded BY the
public interests.
The affair Of the steamer Oataline was
thoroughly Eifted.
There was great conflict in the evidence
as to what would be fair price for charter
and cost Of running her.
The Committee especially call attention
to the arrangement between the Secretary
Of the Navy and Mr. Morgan for purohas-
ing vessels for the Government.
The COMMITTEES next devote themselves to
the subject Of the purchase Of arms The
extraordinary demand for them, resulting
from the conspiracy to overthrow the
Union, has resulted In an extraordinary
expenditure, and, exciting the cupidity Of
large numbers Of persons both in Europe
and America, has opened q system Of un-
precedented speculation. The Government
has been the victim Of more than one con-
spiracy, and remarkable combinations have
been formed to rob the Treasury.
The profits from the sale Of arms to tho
Government have been enormous, and
realised, too in many instances even by
our own citizens, through system Of bro
kersge ss unprinoipled and dishonest 81
unfriendly 10 the success and welfare Of the
nation as the plottings Of sctusl treason
the Government and the several States en-
tering the market In active and direct CON-
petition, stimulating, il is true, to some
slight extent, and temporarily the importa.
tion Of manufacturers Of arms, but scarcely
oompensating for g general profigsey in
the expenditure Of the public treasure.
The Committee examined into army sup
plies, and ssy in the Western department
especially, acquisitions have supplied the
place Of contracts.
The Committee say that in the purchase
Of cattle there have been gross mismsn.
agements, and in the purchase Of horses
and wagons in New York they find great
Irregularities. The COMMITTEES also say
man by the name of Wood, enjoying the
confidence Of the President was appointed
Commissioner of Public Buildings, place
requiring not only great business capse-
ity, but unAinching integrity, and that
Wood from his own declaration made him
self sn instrument for plundering the GOv-
ernment.
The Committee, in the discharge of their
duty, made a representation Of the facts to
the Executive, but before any action was
taken the Government was relieved By his
resignation.
The Committee next approach the sub
| ject of fortifcstiOns at Sc Louis, the cir.
oumstances surrounding this work being
of the most extraordinary character, and
marked by extravsgsnce, reoklessness, in
subordinstion and fraud. They express
the hope that some means nsy be found tC
make the parties 10 the Rtrocious contract:
disgorge the sums out Of which the Govern.
ment has been defrauded, and that the Ia
borers who have done the work on the faitt
of the Government viii not longer be de
layed in receiving their just dues.
The Committee found that most astOund
ing and unblushing frauds had been per
petrated in the purchase of horses anC
mules.