The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1862-02-27

ing that they have not in and of themselves
the facilities for executing them are repre-
hensibe, and deserve severe censure
What excuse is there for an honest depart
ment to pension this gang of middlemen?
All the ill-gotten gain found in their
pockets is so much stolen from the
treasury. Even in the Treasury Depart
ment--pure and upright as believe the
Secretary to be-what business man could
justify. or who, in his own transactions,
would allow that contract Of over half
million expenditure should be competed
for by only two firms, who could combine
and unite? 1t is no answer to say that the
work is done as cheaply as ever. The
spirit Of the law has been violated, and
the millionaire enriched. Besides. the pro-
ducts Of all departments of labor are
cheapened by the stagnation of business.
In this matter Of the bank note contracts,
as in some other, underlings control the
affair of the department. They say who
shall approach within the charmed circle?
They say whose papers shall be put on
file, and whose shall be gladdened by the
eyes of the Secretary? The soldier who,
borne down by disease and overcome BY
fatigue, is found sleeping at his post, you
punish with death, while the m;screant
who holds festival at this carnival of blood,
rides in his carriage. drinks champagne
and dimes with Cabinet Ministers, you
treat with deferental respect. Do you say
Government can not Danish treason and
punish crime. On the 4th day of July,
1850. at Occoquan. Virginia. Mr.. Under.
wood raised a pole. unfured the American
flag and banner with the names of Lin.
coin and Hamlin. Jackson, the slayer OF
Ellsworth, with about forty men, cut it
down, tore up the stars and stripes and
carried off the banner as a trophy. One of
the ringleaders of that mob is this day in
the employ Of the Government in this
city. The laboring men who testify a.
Sainst officials are removed, while the
wretch who has been robbing the Govern.
ment is worthy better place. Is it pos
sible that this monstrous system Of wrong,
extending from the Atlantic to the Missis-
sippi, from the Potomac to the Lakes. can
not be stopped or even checked? II that
be SO. better disband our armies, and let
the oligarchs of the South rule and reign
over u.s.
MR.. MoRGAN's AGENCY IN PURCHASING YES
Since this report has been submitted to
the House, Mr.. George ID. Morgan has
prepared an elaborate paper showing the
benefits of his agency, and relies upor the
fact that in nearly every instance he paid
a less price than the owners asked. We
can test the strength Of his position by the
Stars and Stripes. To build her cost S36.-
600; by her charter ter owners realized
$4,000 from Government; they then
asked 100000. Mr.. Morgan paid S55,-
ooO--S5,OoO less than they asked, but
$4,000 more than she cost, owners re-
cieved $50, 5000, the Government paid
$4,000. although Mr.. Morgsn's papers
alege he was asked 100000. This seems
the reverse of the position. The Onward
was offered to private parties for sec, 900;
MIR. Morgan was asked S3O,OOO and paid
S27,ooO. These are not the only instances,
as the committee will show by further
examination, TO which they are invited by
the Secretary. and directed by resolu.
ton OF the House. Secretary Wells, a
man estlmable in all the relations of private
life, honest himself, and who would not
take farshing from the Treasury. seeks to
Justify MIR. Morgan by showing that the
Government in times past was imposed
upon by impositions on the regular off
GERS; aud he employs an agent with no
salary. ye; putting him in the position of
antagonism to his Government, making
his interest against it, for the creates,
number Of vessels bought, and the high.
est price paid nets him the most money.
For the credi. OF the Government such
practices should cease. We have not only
a right to Mr.. Morgan's skill. experience,
and shrewdness. but we have 4 right to
the benefit ofthat ruling feeling with many
business men-thst OF interest for his
employers. IL is no answer to say that
Mr.. Morgan is honest Grant it. Mr..
Morgan is fond OF money, or he would not
be could not, CON ent to take nearly $9O,-
600 of the money which has been made to
him in about five months. 4 man who
is thus greedy of gain evidenty is more
Jealous Of his own than his country's
interest. Besides, it the Secretary needs
the native ingenuity and business capacity,