Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1862-01-24

Considerable attention has of late been at
tracted 10 the expenditures CONNECTED with ihe
war. The contest is on nlammoth sci,leg and
corrcsponGingly large expenditures are antici-
tigating committees show that this war has
been no exception 10 what is Dotoriously Il
characteristic of wars under all circumstances
in all countries, aud in all ages Of the world =
peculation, fraud and sharp fnanciering on the
part Of contractors and those through whose
hands pass the war material al d soldiers sup
plies furnished by Government. These irrrg
ularities have been discovered in ncariy all the
military departments to greater or less cxr
tent, aud the examining committees have shown
Il disposition to cxpuse all that has the appear
ancc Of unfairncss that comes under their Ub-
serYatUn, without fear or lavor-a- course in
which they will have the hearty support ofthc
people OF the country.
Considerable effort has been made to fastcn
upon the heads of the war ami navy Depart
nlents the responsibility for the abuses rcl,r-
red to, and especially has this been the case
with Secretary Cameron. We do not profess
to be tic champion Of that gentleman. but We
believe in doing justice to al men, and decnr
assuming guill until it has been proved. In
answcr 10 u call from the Senate he says: Il
take this occasion 10 repeat the statement that
never made contract since | took chargc
Of The War department for any purpose what
ever, baving always crprcted the laws OF
| Congress 10 InIcnd that Inc heads of bureaus,
all Of them able and experienced officers Of the
regular army. shall make all contracts for sup
plies for TIE bran chcs OF the service several. y
under their charge. Aud that he has nol
stated the truth those who 50 lrIceiy denGUhcr
him have failed 10 show. IL, however, tic
responsibility for lou<e or fraudulent contracts
attaches 10 heads CT bureaus, they as we'll as
| Cabinet officers should be held tu Il strict ac-
count.
The only serious charge against Secretary
Welles, is that Geo ID. Morgan, his brother
in-law, made $25,OOG in comm ssions on the
purchase Of vessels for the navy. 1t is admit
ted the PURCHASES were made judciously and
economically, and that the commissions puil
were those prescribed by commercial custom
for similar servicrs. 1t is believed the govern
mcnt did not suffer by the operation, but OIL
the contrary WAS the ganer--b but be this as il
may, no one will Ieny that the sum is a largl
one 10 realize for the amount and kind of ser
vice rendered at u lime like the present anl
The relationship existing between the parlie;
will in the estimation of the ilihcral at leas
be taken us evidence Of something improper il
the transaction. The Secretary has sent to tht
Senate an elaborate defence of bis action il
this case Of which the New York Commercial
Advertiser says;
1T will satisfy any impartial person tha
not only has the Secretary acted in this mat
ter from the best OF motives, but with the tru
est wisdom Its calm dignity is Il fitting re
bukc of the virulence with which he has becl
assaulted, while the facts thus put upon officia
record are u full rcfutation Of the charges O
disregard of economy so gIibly made by many
and perhaps thoughtlessiy 10y some"
Of the honor and probity of the Presiden
no one has expressed suspicion and that h,
would wink at any official corruption on th
part Of subordinate, no one familiar with hi
high moral character and stern integrity woul,
be likely TO believe.