Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1862-03-05


little practical value unless Congress shall
10y law punish with severe penalties such
enormities,
CONTRACT BROKERAGE,
At one time it would seem there was an
intention to establish a huge contract bro.
/ llerage system. The testimony of Mr.. Jno.
Smith, of Kingston, n. Y, powder manu-,
facturer, shows that in the month Of May
| he proposed to give Mr.. Weed per cents
! age for powder contract. That he went
to the Astor House, met Mr. Davidson,
4 whom he had never seen before; inquired
of him for Mr.. Thurlow Weed. During
| the conversation he asked what Mr..
Smith wanted of Mr.. Weed on being
told he inquired Of Mr.. Smith what he
could afford to pay he replied FIVE per
cent; Mr.. Smith also says that Mr.. Weed
asked him what he could afford to pay.
That afterwards at Washington, he
handed his propositions for powder TO
Mr. Weed who took them to Mr. Gamer
on. The result was that Mr.. Weed was
authorized to write a letter to Gen. Rip
ley the head of the Ordnance Depart
ment, to divide the contracts for powder
between the States manufacturing. 1t is
somewhat strange that the Secretary
should appoint Mr. Weed as his messen.
ger to carry his wishes to the different
bureaus. Mr.. Smith understood that he
was to pay Mr.. Weed five per cent.
MrLahin also testified that his powder
firm demurred to'paying Mr.. Weed five
pes cent that Mr. Weed gave them au,
thoiity 10 make 900 barrels of powder,
but they preferred having the authority
! directly from the Government. He also
! testifes that the patriot Dwyer, who tigu'
red in the cattle contract in May or June,
| at Washington, told him if he would give
! five per cent. he would sell all the pow
der he could make but Latin declined.
| Fayorites obtain contracts when fire.
quently they have not the pecuniary re-
sources to fulfil them, and not manutac-
turers of the articles to be delivered. The
professional politician to the retired eX1
/ Member Of Congress, who has large con-
! tract which reqIires much machinery and
great mechanical ingenuity, evidently
takes it as a speculation takes II TO en-
rich himself, or extort from the pock cts
of honest industry; takes 1t to sub-let to
skillful manufactures at reduced prices
! The departments which give contracts to
men Knowing thRt they have not IN aud
| of themselves the facilities for executing
them, are reprehensible and deserve SCI
we're censure. What excuse is there for
an honest department 70 pension this
gang of middle men. All the ill-gotten
gains found in their pockets is so much
stolen from the Treasury.
Even in the Treasury Department
pure and upright as believe the Secreta'
nv to be-what business man could Justio
fy, or who, in his own transactions, would
allow, that a contract OF over hat mill
lion expenditure should be competed for
bv Only two firms, who could combine and
unite? 1t is no answer to say that the
work is done as cheaply as before; 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 stagnatioD of business.
In this matter of the bank note contract,
as in some others, underlings control the
affairs 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 dow by disease
ana overcome with fatigue, is found Sleep
ing at his post, you punish with death ;
while the mscreant who holds his festival
at this carnival of blood, rides in his car>
riage, drinks champagne, and dimes with
/ Cabinet ministers, you treat with differ ;
ential respect. DO you say Governmert
cannot Danish treason and punish crime?
/ On the 4th day Of July, 1860, at Ocoquan,
Va, Mr.. Underwood raised a pole, un'
furled the American flag, and banner
with the names of Lincoln and Hanin.
Jackson, the slayer Of Ellsworth, with
about forty men, cut il down, tore up the
Stars and Stripes, and carried the banner
as a trophy. One of the ringleadeIs OF
that mob is this day in the employ Of the
Government in this city.
The laboring men who testify against
officials areremoved, while the wretch
who has been robbing the government Is
worthy better place. Is it possible that
this monstrous system of wrong, extend~
inr from the Atlantic to the Mississippi
from the Potomac to the Lakes, cannot
be stoned, or even checked? If that be
40 better disband our armies, and let the
olirarchs of the South rule and reign over
Us.
Thi, committee has been in session for
months; government officials must be
aware of its power of examination; still,
Mt the commencement Of this session, in
spectors of horses were colludlng with
contractors superintendents, rejoicing in
the title of captains, were selling Govern
ment Lorses to private citizens, taking
diseased and worthless horses from the
commons, branding them in the service
of the United States, so they might REQ
ceiye full raw for the same; city butch
ers buying meat from Government
supplies.
Your Government retains IN this capi-
tai. IN seats Of honor and profit, and
around our council boards, men whose
hearts are filed with treason. and minds
with rebellion. Your departments are
disinclined to hear charges of treason or
corruption they would rather ostraolse
those who furnish the truth than remove
the reasonable and guilty offenders, !
mn not harsh ! only speak what, stand.
.ns in tine mighty and august presence OF
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