Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-06-09
The President and GOvernment Con-
tracts

If the President entertains the opinion that by
assuming the responsibility of the acts of his Min
ister or Secretaries he will thus shield them from
censure for acts of misieasance or mafeasance in
office, he knows much less of the temper of the
people than we have given him credit for By
pretending to do this he in no wise relieves them,
while if believed, he would c.l down upon
himself the obloquy and indignation which now
so Justly rest upon them. The message which
he sent into the House of Representatives upon
the subject of the resolution which they passed
censuring Mr.. Cameron for certain acts done by
him while Secretary of War, will, we are sure
strike the public as very disingenuous, and want
ing IN that straightforward candor and truthful
ness which he has hitherto had credit for in an
eminent degree. What was the resolution? 1t
reads thus:
"ResOLUed, That Simon Cameron, late Secre-
tary of War, by investing Alexander Cummings
with large sums of public money, and authority
to purchase military supplies without restriction.
without requiring of him any guarantee for the
faithful performance of his duties, when the ser
vices of competent public officers were available;
and by involving the Government in a vast num-
Der of contracts with persons not legtimately en-
ployed in the business pertaing to the subject
matter of such contracts, especially in the pun
chase of arms for future delivery, has adopted a
policy highly injurious"
What were the acts pointed out? That Mr..
Cummings was intrusted with large sums of
money and authority to purchase supplies, when
the service of public officers could have been Sc
cured. The Presidents answer TO this is that
they did not know who to trust. If that was true,
it was still more incumbent upon the Administra-
ton to employ men Of known integrity and
standing, men who had both reputation and
character at stake, instead OF mere political adj
venturer. This excuse was unworthy of the
President. But what else was complained of?
That the Secretary involved the Government in
vast number of contracts with persons not lie
Ultimately employed in the business pertaining to
the subject matter Of such contracts, especially
in the purchase of arms for future delivery. This
refers to the giving out of contracts to politicians
such as the New York Tribune concern, the horse
contracts to heal political feuds in Pennsylvania,
and many others of the like ilk. Now the Pres
dect, while protesting to cover Mr. Cameron with
his long Scotch mantle, and thus hide him from
the public gaze, has only covered part of the
huge frauds committed. They were too large
even for the Presidents capacious cloak TO cover.
He stops short of the main grounds of the cen
sure. Ii must be remembered that the contracts
for arms were entered into long after the com
snunication was open between Washington and
New York. There was no necessity for any
hoax. Agents had been dispatched to Europe,
all the manufactures in the country were fully
employed, and then il was these contracts were
entered into. This policy was continued until
January, 1862. The last and most Objectionable
contract p1rhaps, of the whole, was brought to
light after Mr. Cameron had resigned bis position
| as Secretary of War