The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-01-10
ASTOUNDING DlSCLOSURES!!
How the Republicans Reform.
THE WAY GOVERNMENT is PLUM
DERED!!
Report of Congressional Investigating Com
mittee.

WASHINGTON, Dec. l7.-Van Wyck's Select
Committee TO inquire into Government Con-
tracts, made report 10 the House OF Represen-
tatives to-day of their progress. Il was pre-
sented by Mr.. Washburne of IlIiaois.
he labors of the Committee are far from
being closed. A large number of transactions
at Washington aud elsewhere seem to deserve
then attention, and with the appreciation of the
House, the Committee proposes to vigorously
prosecute their investigation, 50 long as II may
appear they are demanded by the public inter
eSlS.
THE STEAMER CATALINE CASE.
Among the frs: subjects investigated was the
charter OF the steamer Cataiiae She was char
tered by Col. D. D. Tompkrns, Assistant Quar-
ter Mast=r-General OF New York, under an or
fer from Gan Wool.
i TAe contract with The Government IS no. re.
marka5Ie for dIsinterestedness in promoting the
National welfare; yet the Government will GER
ainly be satisfied with ordinary fairness and
integrity IN contracts made on Its behalf, even
i a willingness to seize upon the public mis-
fortunes for personal aggIandizen nent IS manifest
n the transactions. While the Republic has a
right to expect il, ii cannot compel the unsel-
Ssh dryoiioa OF the citizens.
The prov 4ion that th- Government shall pay
$4,000 for vessel just purchased for Sl4, ,000
IN the event of her loss, by peril not covered
by the insurance, is totally indefensi5Ie. But
lie main provision OF the contract, while un-
dou5tedIy rxorbitant, is less to be condemned.
T. Government was 10 pay $4,000 per month
tor tue vessel, and that, too, for period Of not
tess Inan tnfee months. Col. Tompkins seems
10 have paid No attention TO the time for which
the vessel was chartered. The order of Gen.
" ool IS silent on the subject. The presence ol
.Capl ComStock at the time the proposition was
Gra"n up would justify the inference that The
Hne, which was very material feature in the
contract, was adjusted between himself and
aSeEeitfszrsrl t'svsz.-z15 zr.ro t:sS.1
present.
The Committee especially call attention to
tte arrangement between the Secretary OF the
Navy and Mr. Morgan, for purchasing vessels
or Ahe Government, saying that it is OF suci a
character, whether 1t be in the stipulated amount
Fecs ised, or IN he mode of payment, alike in
!efen8ibIe and reprehensrble.
That arrangement is a system of commission,
lsuaily y per cent OF the purchase money paid
Jf each vessel, and one under which Morgan
''cstved as compensation during the period oi
ven Weeks previous to the 9th day OF Septem-
pFlwhen this testimony was taken) the enor-
Gus sum Of SjI ,584-as admitted by hltnseli
lore tie committee. If he has received the
ssue rate Of Compensation since as before that
o.-, there m'et be added to this sum paid HIM
kbyaFe that date the further commission OF SAB
~. oFeervic~TrGdrrrd since, usqhing, In all,
'b.glmo $4,000 pqjd 10 a single iadjUiduai
tCr q res no # q
! s'n'tas l3lh Of Lly-o period Of f ur and
hly Months.
THE PURCHASE OF ARMS.
EaeNnmIltee nx, devoted themselves to
~ .u1ci OF the pun base OF arms. The ex-
"3 10y demand taahym, resulting from The
oolS#i4sto oveIthro ahe Union, has result
r4'' eAaordlnary sApqditures. and, exciting
F fi1y Of large nnbers of persons both
. !" Hd"pand America, las opened up a sys-
J, Nia Oh on7ecedented spealalion. The Gov
an efnineh hs been the victlaof more than one
" cohsPiFay, and Observation-Disclosures have
! 5eeh IoheCto roo the Irearg.
ne Pi6tfFom the sale earns 10 III. Co.
SeFnmrhtaAbeen enoImousqnd realized too.
PC many laaees, by our ownhzens, through
= system OF ofkerage as uoPritipled and dis
- n0I5''' and Aunirjendly to = success and
Irsasaa ,.+,s q ''T Won as the pIot1ss Of actual
ihe system popted at an earl moment for
Tue purchase ofrns naturally engaged this
result. Ihe Gotrnmenl and the Sc ri States
5 entering the mAet in active and cse, com
petition, Stlhuiatd, 1t is true, TO someigbt sv-
tent and but Iemorarily, the import;9o and
manufacture OF ans, but scarcely con.psatad
ioF general Pro1gacy 10 tie expenc,re oi
the public treaSur and the corruptIonfE Ia,
public morals
Since the adjournment of the Extra S,;an
oi Congress, the Var De partment is under.od
20 nave authorized the several States, ana
nave recognized To fright ia the Generals CO
'NahGiog the severl divisions i'll the army,
purchase arms, 10 be paid for by the Genrra
1o'eih'nehs, creatsg an unwise and rulnou
to"P'l'lion against ITSELF without increasn
'"e humber OF aTmsin the market
n1Jof Morgan, anordlnance officer, who wa
taa5;Es Ia me purchase and inspection of arms
testified as follows =
or Gu ue agents OF Fremont, of the Governor
states, OF Cities, Of Union Defence Commit
zee ,t's' oi Colonies of Regiments, and of General
- cur army, are all here in New York.
10y 10y oe IN treaty for arms, and the first thing
49, 80 'ue arms are sold to some agent. Some Of
wy men VINO hold the arms. | sometimes think,
~ Ie disposed not TO have bona Jide sale They
'hs 70 Keep the arms in the market, in order 10
bG' a"ce the price. think they have been gam
O''Tg ~ IN arms just as they do in stocks, etc.,
1"e COMMITTEE remark that ths numerous Ca