New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-08-08
RepoIs OF the GovcrarDens Contract Com
niifieP.

Fyoa The Raihm,re American AHg T.
We have received WI curly copy OF the report OF
the famous Cove umeut Contract Committee, en-
bracng a copy OF all me testimony taken before
them. which il Just Issued from the Government
press Washington IL VIII BE- fecoiiecteo tLat TINS
important ComGi'tee was appointed al the extra se',
mon about one year ago, witD p5nary power 10 send
for g persons aud ,alers, and 10 take testimony IL
any part Of the UnlOn
The first portion OF their report was made early ID
the late session, and related chiefly 10 western
affairs Including the doubtful doines in the Depart
ment of Missouri. TIE second and concluding cor
ton Of the Committee reprt aud testimony, now
first Issued, 10 d highly Interesting aud voluminous
document, embracing over ,tDO pages OF closely
printed matter.
1, is not our purpose to review this immense pro-
auction in detail which would lie practically i'm
possible as il embraces ~ it's range as great va
riety Of subjects ar all encyclopaedia. JUDGED every
form OF contrasts aud Government purchases, fron
q ship-of Wal down TO "a boz II matches, is elabo-
raiely inquired into aid reported upon. lo buried
BY examining the book, tO"ever, We hnd coutid-
erab- portion OF il devoted b. matters oil special Ia
terert TO our community some OF which we sntii at
tempt 10 cOud-nse for The benefit OF our ieadsrs s
fire, iUstalmeat AT least.
W. observe that among tie witnesses examined
sre,s the chief officers oi al the railroads conccn
tralinV iu or conuectBe with Bal inofe, WHOSE test
inony presents matter OF The hshtst i'eieS', anu
tbrowe much light upon affairs about winch thefe
has been great discussion IN connection WIN the
early hisfory of the war in Mary iaud. The Com-
rui,i.e seem To have directed 'heir attention very
earnestly toward timing tho truth OF me grave
charges mace by the 10 Secretary OF war tCame-
rom s,r4ihs tie B4linOre and ONO Ral DAD III re-
fusing 70 carry toois. -
Bytle testimony il appears that this charge was
Indirectly reueated by Vice President scott OF .
Pennsylvania Road acting IA MI. Caueron hsii
road Manager and General Assistant. Inc Iiiehds
OF the baltimore AID Ohio Road, however, WIN %
serve With much sail, action that the Committee en-
tirely exonerate tat CowIa"y, and give 1t muco
cred tor its efficiency III sersiny tie Government.
TbI6 Judgment oi til COMMITTEES Is amply sustaoeo
by toe investigation, apd particularly In The excel
lent letter OF Governor Denuison OF Quo, When II
given as part VI tie evidence, and Low hrst made
public.
The report and the testimony embrace many facts
OF u conclusive Character, going 10 show that the
charges nsne against the Baltimore Company were
DOT altogether dIsuterested; and it is moro than
limited thai these charges were q part OF a mere
strategic movement by the railroad elements Of the
War Department 10 excuse its indifference iowa d
the Baltimore and Ono Line aud the special favor
which tue testimony shows was accorded 10 its
rivals including tho roads in which the Secretary
wasa Director, aud the Assistant Secretary and
"GovernHent Manager OF Railways" the Vice. Pres
ident.
The Committee very properly regard these rail-
road rivaries M u isior ui,e, from which the Cow
ernment has suffered Father ths, derived sovali-
tage. The g,est value Of the Uuion Of all thsse
lines is Acknowledge and the los to the Govern.
meut by the interrupt ION OF the Baltimore and Oh o
Road by the Rebels, aud the long delay Of our au.
thor ties to restore il by heir protection
abuudauily established by all tue witnesses ex.
amiDed.
The American gives several columns Of con.
dsnsed testimony for which We have no rooml