The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1862-02-15

four hundred of these horses were sent
with Colonel Wynkoop's regiment, and
the papers at Pittsburg report some
actually so worthless they were left on
the docks. The remaining five hundred
were left at Hun ingdon for the contrac-
tors. ln that single transaction over
fifty thousand dollars were stolen from
the Government. Such Gends in human
shape care not for exposure I; felon's
doom through life should be theirs and
the q abors Eof your committee will lie
of little practical value unless Congress
shall by law punish with severe penalties
such enormities.
MIR. MoRGAN's AGENCY IN PURCHASING
VESSELS.
Since this report has been submitted
to the House, Mr.. George D. Morgan
has prepared an elaborate paper, showing
the benefits of his agency, and relies
upon the fact that in nearly every
instance he paid a less price than the
owners asked We can test tic strength
of his position by the Stars md Stntes.-
To build her cost $4,000 by her
charter the owners realized $4,000
from Government they then asked
i $6O,OOO. Mr.. Morgan paid $4,000
five thousand less than they askedj but
$4,000 more than she cost.
While with the Potomska and Wam-
sutta the owners realized $4,000, the
Government paid 1000, although Mr..
Morgan's papers alleged he was asked
$4,000. This seems the reverse of the
proposition. The Onward was offered
to private parties for $4,000; Mr..
Morgan was asked $4,000, and paid
S27 900. These are not the only
instances, as the committee will show by
a further examination, to which they are
invited by the Secretary, and directed
by resolution of this House.
Secretary Welles, man cstimablc in
all the relations of private life, honest
himself, would not take tarthing from
the Treasury, seeks to justify Mr..
Morgan, by showing that the Govern
ment in times past were imposed upon
by impositions on the regular officers !;
and he employs an agent with no salary,
YET putting him in the position of antag-
onism to his Government, making his
interest against it for the greatest num-
Der of vessels bought, and the highest
price paid nets hun the most money
For the credit of the Government such
practices should cease. We have not
only a right to MIR. Morgan's skill,
experience, and shrewdness, but we have
a right to the benefit of that ruling
feeling wi h many business men-that
of interest for his employers. 1t is no
answer to say that Mr.. Morgan is honest.
Grant it MI. Morgan is fond Of money,
or he would not, he could not, consent
to take nearly $4,000 of the money
which has been made to him in about
five months. A man who is thus greedy
of gain, evidently is more Jealous of his
own than his country's interest.
Besides if the Secretary needs the
native ingenuity and business capacity
which | admit is Of high order, why not
employ and give him fair rcmunerative
salary as other men are employed He
says this 100000 was taken from the
pockets of the sellers. Not So Mr..
Morgan always notified them they must
pay him two-and-a-half per cent. on the
purchase that they must name the
lowest cash price, and add two-and-a-
half per cent thereto. If Mr.. MORGAN
possesses the business ability which the
Secretary claims, and which | do not
doubt, he certainly could have obtained
all the vessels at the price he did, less
the two-and-a-half per cent. Who
doubts it
Why should not the sellers as readily
have given the two-and-a-half per cent
to Government as to Mr.. MORGAN =
No, sir; that fallacy may suit the Secrc-
tary, but it will not deceive the people.
In September last, when Mr.. MORGAN
had made over $4,000, representa- ion
to the Cabinet was made in regard to
this matter; and the attention of the
Secretary was directed to it, Had he
changed the policy, no censure could
have been charged upon him but he
porsistcntly refused, and in December
Mr.. MORGAN had increased his for ure
to the enormous sum of about 100000
at the rate of quarter of q million pei
annum. Mr.. MoRGAN's services coult
have been secured at $4,000 annually
and this enormous sum saved to tho
Treasury.
SECRETARY WELLEs.
The Secretary in his last message