Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-01-09
Government Contracts.

covers l36 closely printed pages. 1t dscloscs the
most stupendous frauds upon the Government
Il shows how the Government has been robbed of
millions upon millions of money by thicvng con
tractors. These frauds exist in both high aud
low places. In the char,cring Of vessels, the
building Of railroad cars, the erection of forts,
the purchase o; horses, and in short in everything
that pertains to the suppression Of the rebellion
the most gross and barefaccd swindIing has been
found to exist We wish copy of the report
could be placed in every mans hand that the
people could sec what viainics are pructiccd
Sndcr the cloak of patriotism. We give the case
of Cummings & Co. as a sample of the contcnt
Of the report
Secretary Cameron selected a Mr.. Cumming,
for fourteen years connected with the Phladcl. |
pha Bulletin and for eighteen months one of the |
publishers of tine New York World to make ar.
rangements for the purchase and forwarding Of
supplies to Washington, business that needed |
not only capacity, but extensive experience, and
in the latter certainly, Mr.. c. was entirely dc.
fcient. But lie was bosom friend of the See
retary Of War, and must be rewarded for his scr
vices; and what booted it it the army in Wash
ingtion did suffer for want Of good clothing and
wholesome food, il Mr.. Cameron could repay n
debt of gratitude to political riend and admir-
er7
In addition to this, Governor Morgan of New
York, appointed one George D. Morgan, Il rca
tive and law partner, to act in connection with
Mr. Cummings, and S2,nOO,OOO were placed at
their disposal.
Within few days after Cummings was invest.
ted with his authority, he drew from the bankers,
through the Sub Treasurer, Mr.. Cisco at New
York, s25OOOO, $780, 900 of which, as Cummings
insists, was applied to pay for the purchases made
by the bankers themselves, or by Mr.. Blatchford,
member of the firm, and the residue {. &C, 600.
he placed to his own credit at the Park Bank of
New York city, and he states in his evidence that
he made purchases for the Government to the
amount of GO, 600
Mr. Cummings employed clerk Mr.. Jas
Humphrey, and exhibited in that, MS in most 9th
er transactions, con6ding disposition hardly con.
sistent with thorough business man engaged in
public duty.
Mr. Cummings appeared to have known moth
ing whatever about this Humphrey, except that
Thurlow Weed said he was "rcliabc ;" and upon
this Endorsement he was authorized to make pur.
cilases to an utmost unlimited extent and how
how proceeded he tells HIMSELF
Question. OF whom did you purchase clothing ?
Answer. can not recall the names now
They were nearly all strangers to me. will pro.
duce the vouchers.
Question Did you purchase the clothing in
the market
g,;, 4 4.
clerk, through whom purchased what could
Question. What were the clothcs--full suits
Answer. No, sir. There were two items
which covered the larger part of the purchase
pantaoons and hats.
Question. What did you do with them
Answer. forward d them to Annapolis
Question On what requsition did you pur
chase hats and panaloons
Answer. No requsition.
Question. How came you to purchase hats and
pantaoons rather than any thing else
Answer. Because thought they would be need.
ed, as hot weather was cunning on had seen
the soldiers pass through here with warm winter
clothing, which lbcvcd they could not endure
when the warm weather should come on.
Question Then you were guided by your own
information and judgment as 10 what would be
ncedcdNt Washington
Answer Yes, sir.
Question, Had you any other guide.
Answer. No, sir.
Question, Had you my other limits imposed
Apon your action except such as were imposed up.
on your own discretion
Answer. No, sir.
Question. Houpurchnscd, quality and amount
as was dictated by your own judgement solely
Answer Yes, sir.
The clothing uas linen pantaiooms and StraU
hats 10 The amount Of oDer $2l 900.
The same individual, under the direction of the
Secretary of War contracted with Dcnpdict a