Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1862-01-29


Getting up the Cry of Extravaganza.
The Lewistown Democrat, as we'll a!
most papers of that stamp, are now week
ly engaged in crying out " fraud" ex
travagsnce," &c. against the present ad
ministration That in the extraordinary
emergency in which Buchanans admins
tration left our gcvernment-with one
half Of all the departments, including the
heads of bureaus, sympathizing with OIL
working for the traitors-it would be ro
wonder il frauds had been committed, but
certainly not to the extent charged. The
Van Wyck and other committees we're ap-
pointed by republican congress, and arc
composed of majority of republicans, and
by their fearless exposure of both friend
and foe, show that they differ very mater
tally from the democratic investigating
committees in Buchanan's time, who would
have "whitewashed" Satan himself had he
held the post Of Secretary Of War, Navy,
or Treasury. Besides, the Democrat is
making some very palpable distinctions
It gives the Secretary of the Navy credit
for the stand he took in justifying his EN-.
ployment of Mr. Morgan, but condemns
Gen. Cameron, although he too took high
ground, for in late report in reply to a
call for information, made by the Senate,
he incidentally remarked:
81 take this occasion to repeat the state
inent that have never made q contract siuce
took charge of the War Department, for
any purpose whatever, having always inter
preted the laws of Congress to intend that
the heads Of bureaus. all Of them able and
experienced officers of the regular army, shall
make all contracts for supplies for the branch
90 tor the service severally under their
charge"
If this statement Of Gen. Cameron is
not true, It appears to u, it would not be
difficult matter to show it If it is true,
then whatever wrong has been committed
oughtto be blamed on those under whose au-
thority it was done. When Tie truth ,ciH
come to light, We have little doubt the fact
i6ill bc establised that more than half Of
the instruments of evil who have defraud
Cd the government, viii prove to be politi-
cal friends of .ne so-called Democratic
party.
In times Ike the present, it would be
far better for all concerned TO deal cautious
y in making charges Of fraud and extray-
agance against those 10 power, because the
accompanying circumstances are not al
ways known. For instance contract to
furnish cats, corn, -four, &c. at a given
point, at double the selling price here,
might appear extravagant, yet who would
have undertaken to furnish certain SUP
plies n Washington, after the battle of
Manassas, ATen al .tlQse rates? AS mat
ters now stand contractors may any day be
interrupted in their transportation on the
Baltimore and Washington railroad, and
with the Potomac nearly blockaded, it
would require transportation by wagons
over the worst kinds OF roads.
We accord to Secretary WeIles upright
ness Of conduct and genuine patriotism,
and while it would have looked bettsr had
Mr.. Morgan taken less, yet no one can we'll
blame him for charging what usage in pri-
vate mercantile transactions authorized him
legally to take. We append synopsis of
Mr.. WclIes' defence:
Proceeding to treat the subject in detail,
the document refers TO the difficulties which
bcset it at ths first; the purchase of ships by
naval officers proved failure these men had
no talent for making bargains, and they
were cheated. Finding it necessary to take
a mercantile agent, the question arose wheth-
er to employ several only one. In the
opinion Of the Secretary, the appointment
Of several would multiply his responsibility
and divide theirs. So he settled upon one.
- ben he looked about for the proper person,
hn eye fell on Mr. Morgan; be knew, that the
Eeianqaship existing between them furnish
cd ground for invidious remark but he knew.
he says, that Mr.. Morgan would be the best
man Tor The work, and he was willing TO sac.
rlhce himself for the sake of the cause. The
sgens being appointed, he york was to be