The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-10


Committee to inquire into Government Con-
tracts, made report to the House oil Represen-
tatives to-day of their progress. Il was pre-
seDted by Mr.. Washburne of Illinois.
The labors OF the Committee are far from
being closed. A large number of transactions
at Washington and elsewhere seem to deserve
their attention, aud with the appreciation Of the
House, the Committee proposes TO vigorously
prosecute their nvestig gallon, so long as ii may
appear they are demanded by the public inter-
eSls.
THE STEAMER CATALINE CASE.
Among the frs: subjects investigated was the
charter OF the steamer Catatiae. She was char
tered by Col. d. D. Tsmpklns, AssIstaut Quar-
ter Master-General OF New York, under an or
der from Gen. Wool.
The contract with The Government IS no. re-
markable for dIsnterestedness in promoting the
Natlonal welfare; yet the Government will GER
tainly be satisfied with ordinary fairness and
integrity in contracts made on Its behalf, even
i. willingness 10 seize upon the public mis-
fortunes for personal aggrandizenent is manifest
in the transactions. While the Republic has
right to expect it, it cannot compel the unsel-
fish devotion OF the citizens.
The provision that thu Government shall pay
$4,000 TOR vessel just purchased for $l4, 600,
in the event of her loss, by peril not covered
by the insurance, is totally indefensi5le. But
the main provision OF the contract, while un-
doubtedly exorbitant, is less TO be condemned.
The Government was to pay $4,000 per month
ior the vessel, aud that, too, for period of not
less than three months. Col. Tompkins seems
10 have paid no attention TO The time for which
the vessel was chartered. The order Of Gen.
Wool is silent on the subject. The presence Of
Capt. .Comstock at the time the proposition was
drawn up would justify the inference that The
time, which was very material feature in the
contract, was adjusted between himself and
Develn and Freeman, the other parties then
present.
The Committee especially call attention 10
the arrangement between The Secretary OF the
Navy and Nh Morgan, for purchasing vessels
for the Government, saying that il is OF suca a
character, whether 1t be in the stipulated amount
received, or in the mode of payment, alike in!
deienslble and reprehenslble.
That arrangement is system of commission,
usually "a per cent. OF the purchase money paid
for each vessel, and one under which Morgan
received as compensation during the period OF
seven weeks previous TO the 9th day OF Septem-
Der twhen this testimony was taken) the enor-
NOUS sum OF SOL ,56l-as admitted by himself
before The committee. If he has received the
same rate OF compensation since as before that
date, there must be added 10 this sum paid hlm
before that date, the further commission of $43,-
424, for services rendered since, mGkiag, in OIL,
the sum Of $4,000 paid 10 siagie iadi0iduaL
for his services as agent of fe Gouo nme8t
since the l5tA Of July-a period Of fur and
a half months.
THE PURCHASE OF ARMS.
The Committee next devoted themselves TO
the subject OF the purchase Of arms. The ex-
traordinary demand for them, resulting from The
conspiracy 10 overthrow the Union, has result
ed in extraordinary expenditures, and, exciting
the cupdlty OF large numbers of persons both
| in Europe and America, has opened up sys-
TEN OF unprecedented speculation. The Gov
erDment has been the victim of more than one
conspiracy, and remarkable combinations have
been formed to roo the Treasury.
The profits from the sale OF arms 10 the Go
Gernment have been enormous, and realized too,
ic many instances, by our own citizens, through
a system of brokerage as unprincpled and dis
honest, and as unlriendly TO the success and
welfare OF the nation as the plottings Of actual
treason.
The system adopted at an early moment for
the purchase of arms naturally encouraged this
result. The Government and the several States,
entering the market in active and direct COM
petition, stimulated, ii is true, to some slight ex
tent, and but temporarily, The importation and
manufacture OF arms, but scarcely compensated
for general profIgacy in the expenditure Of
the public treasure and the corruption of the
public morals.
Since the adjournment of the Extra Session
of Congress, the War D, ,partment is understood
10 have authorized the several States, and 10
have recognized the right in the Generals COM
maDdlng the several divisions in the army, to
purchase arms, to be paid for by the General
Government, creating an unwise and rulnous
competition against itself, without increasing
the number of arms in the market.
Major Morgan, an ordinance officer, who was
engaged IN the purchase and inspection of arms,
testified as follows =
"The agents of Fremont, of the Governors
of States, OF Cities, of Union Defence Commit
tees, OF Colonels of Regiments, and of Generals
of our Army, are all here in New York. l
may be in treaty for arms, and The first thing
hear, the arms are sold to some agent. Some of
the men who hold The arms, sometimes think,
are disposed not to have bona fde sale They
like TO keep the arms in the market, 10 order 10
advance the price. l think they have been gam
bling in arms just as they do in stocks, ETC."
The Committee remark that the numerous ca