The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-26
CummiVgs and the WORLDS Fifteen Days
At the Public Crib.

| ~ the TuOliC NrAOs
Napoleon the Grand had bis one hundred
days in France Fremont, the magnificent, had
his one hundred days in Missouri Cummings
and the World had fifteen days at the public
CRIB. Very pretty pickings the three saints
four clergymen, six deacons, one Cummings
and numerous pious cheats, who compose the
World establishment had from the $4,000 ,00C
Of government funds subject to their order
For fifteen days they lived like fighting cocks
or ancient monks. Fremont was cxtravagant
but Cummings beats Fremont. Besides, Ere.
mont won't tell what he did spend, and we learn
OF it only through second parties. Cummings
has had the great advantage of giving an account
Of his own reign before a Congressional COM
mittee The report of the committee does not
at all impcach Cummings integrity, but it
makes very evident his claim to the title of
Cummings, Che Conhding.
Mr.. Alexander Cummings, the report de-
clares, was pablisher Of the World newspaper,
and had no general acquaintance with busi-
ness in New York" This statement is rather
pathological; for IL Mr.. Cummings had been pos
sesscd Of general acquaintance with bust
ness in New York" what would he be doing in
such concern as the World newspaper? In
experienced as he p'as, however, Cummings
was appointed, during she trying times Of April
last, to purchase supplies for the army and for
ward them to the capitsl The committee de-
/ clares that, without calling into question the
| personal integrity Of Cummings, !" his want of
atncss for the position is very manifest In
other words, Cummings managed the public
Business with no better success than he had
his World newspaper. When it is added that
Cumrnngs received no compensation irons
the government, the parallel between his
public and Isis World transactions is fully COM
pletea; for It's World has always been weak in
a peouhialy ss well rs literary point of view
Coniding Cummings, to 60 into the U'orldl
More corading Cummings, to work fifteen days
for an nagratefal public, receive and ask no
compensation therefor, and subm:5t to the cross
examnation-of Congressional committee be-
sides
During his fftecn days supremscy-for he
was controlled by no one, gave no bonds, and
did just as kap pleased Cummings expended the
nice little sam of two hundred and fifty thou
sand dollars It is too much to ss.y that he
spent this money rccklessly. but he certainly
rpent il most oonidingly. To aid in his expen-
dFtures, Cumnings took clerk named John
Humphreys, WAC did ais writings Kept such
books ard papersas &c could fnd-aud Cum
mings kept hiss accounts rather loosely and
!" tpok no vouchers and was also " authorized
to make purchases" "Did you know this
clerk?" asks the committee. Cummings did
not know him, nor where he lived, nor any
thing about him, "'Where did you find him y
asks the committees. Cummings didn't find
him he wass recommended to Cum
mingg, but by whom recommended Cum
mngs |.canuot staso:'' Cummings was too con-
fdingto care about recommendation, and re-
minds ss Of the banker who picked upoa loafer
! on tho street and fsads him cashier. The re-
| suit iaboth cases sYas about the same. Cum
mngs,-.with the assistance Of his Ct srl, pur-
chased clothing-@iinen pantaloons and straw
hats to the amouUt Of over $2l 009" Why
linen unmentonahles and straw hats? Because
Cummings had heard it was warm down South.
Did Cummings consult with any one as to the,
propriety of introducing straw hats and, linen
trowsers into the arnny? Not unit! he had pur-
| then he shrewdly resolved to buy no more. In
| the samc eoniidine. manner Cummings charters
| ship. Di14het knox anything aboat the ship,
her tonnage, Dollars. jibboom, main hatchway
| or mizzannast hand? Not at all Cummings
took the ship beas.sse her owner said she was.
| AL aeidCunGmiags supposed the owner
knew He iorgats what he paildfor her. "a
was ''either 81 0na or $3.50 day'-a trifiir 9
difference. Was not that rathes cxtravagar.s'
yes, says Cummings, "thc prize was consider
ed very high but then he supposed the owner
knew Conii;ting Cummings
| But Cummings comes out strongest in he
provision line, md rather prizes himself non
his groceries. lie had expert nee there, as shat
famil 7 man haa not? He does. not do his lMtie
marketing in Gew York, however, but gos$ up
in thaoeNntHy to Albany, determined IL aaye
bis eggs anil batter fresh. He buys provisions
| of T. Corning .S Co., wa known har ,iware
lil1sa lie anticipates wor ser by explaining in
geuiiously that it was lard bread ~ pur-
cLeseG.of The hardware sralers. Our soldiers
cer;sinly sos,nd it very t.ssd. Cummir ~ never
SAN the provisions, an . thinks a maEAa named
Davidson came anu ofsred to buy .hem for
him. lie didn't knaw Davidson: int then
Davidson told him shat he was, familiar
With that kind of business ard he en-
ploEsd Davidson for lgyith. Still conGdng Cum
min.s! Coming. IS Cummings does from
the pious World e. adjustment, wssage surprised
to find no Bikes. prayer or hymn books
asaong his army supplies. Lib might have
procured these IL some coal merchant, and
we are rather ..isposed to blslae him for this
omission. Litan pantaloons and no Bibles
Nay, even ale, porter and snail beer--and 40
hymn looks. This neglect 81 the soldla4s
morals is asracious.
But Cummings did not stat his beer. ssre
is the li.le hill:-"2s0 fpzen pints of als' and
porter, 81 quintals Goldfish. 300 boxes harring,
barrels Of tongues, ssharrels Of pic,les, rs
casks cs Scotch ale drnaorted), 10 casks OF Lon
don psster timported).'' Total, includBga lot Of
| IL ne rI,;ncS al.sat S35 900 This reminds