East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-11-12
AN IAIPORTANr DOCUMENT.
The Congressional Investigating
-r -iF- Committee. rIA2 T
DEVELOPMENTS IN TIE DEPART.
.- s...,, AIENT OF THE VEST. .,s.


The public are aware that at the last
session of Congress an Investigating com
mittcc was created, whose duties are pre-
scribed in the resolutions which we pub
ish below. This committee is compo-
scd of the following members: Hon.
Charles Van Wyck, of New. York; Hon.
Elihu B. Washburne, Of Illinois; Hon,
WIN. s.. Holman, of Indiana; Hon. Il.
+. Fenton, Of Ncw-Y York; Hon. Henry
l.. Dawes, Of Massachusetts Hon. w.
G.. Steele, Of New-Jersey aud Hon. j.
S. Jackson, OF, Kentucky. Hon. f. M.
Bali, Sergeant. at Arms Of the House &C.
companied the Committee, and Il. ri.
Andrews, Esq, Stenogrphcr, as Chief
Clerk. The committee held their scs-
sion III New-Yorii city, and during seven
weeks stay in that city received 1900
pages Of testimony in relation to frauds
and Dnpositions on the Government, none
Of which however, were of a startling
character, as will appear in their report
to Congress. There were evidences OF
overcharging on Government supplies,
and general looscness in the manage.
/ ncuI u oONciHlucnt diuuS, III aH VI
which the committee has given special
attention, and when reported on will ex-
hibit Singular and peculiar condition Of
things in that department. At Boston
| and other Eastern cities the committee
have found but little that was not strict
y proper.
4, part Of the commit,ee-Messrs.
Washbnrne, Holman, Dawes, and Steele,
with the Sergcant-at- Arms and Clerk
repaired to st. Louis to inquire into the
condition Of affairs in the Department Of
the West. They have been in session
in that city since the 10th of October
fourteen days-rworking twelve hours
each day, and examining Que hundred
and twenty three witnesses. The manu-
script Of evidence on legal cap, nun.
ters $3.50 pages. -. .. ,.''-. ~. :. -
The following arc the resolutions upon
which the committee acted -
Rssoired, That a committee Of five be
appointed to ascertain and report what
contracts have been made by any OF the
departments for provisions, supplies and
transportation for materials and services
or for any article furnished for the use o
Goycrnment without Advertising for pro.
possls, as required by the statute Of 1861
the parties 10 whom given, the compen.
sation and terms thereof, and the reasons
,Lorofa,. s1ttn3 't'4 hnhninpo Jui
"a Also, whom 1 proposals were received,
| il contracts were awarded TO the loves,
bidder; if not, the reason therefor. .''
"a Also, whether the contracts as LEI
are. IL accordance with the specifications
Inviting proposals, and if any alterations
the reason for the same. - -.
\" Also, whether any person or persons
have any Interest in the contracts thu,
made and awarded, o. obtaining th,
samG, ot profits ithorefrom, except thhf
That said committee shall have pow
or ~ send for psrsQns and papers 70, al.
minister oaths, and examine witnesses
and 10 report at any time" AM 80,
The following Ppepdpepts we're offer
ed and adopted Subsequent &, the passage
OF the above resolutionsf IA bs,to,,,o,.
siig ResOlped, That tho provisions Of the
resolutions appointing Che select com
mittee to inquire int aud report in rela'
! ton to certain contracts made by depart