Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-04-22
The Commi,,arv Department.


Some peorle. largely endowed with bowels Of com
rassiop nsuctivey hestou them On the powerful, Who
land IN 10 need Of them city contemporary, the
Saae Illustrated this tendency the other day in its
touching expressions Of COMPASSION for the COmussary
General The COmmissary Gt sai6) has very bard
and verv thankless Office, at best Is he not entitled
not 10 sympathy least to ordinary fairness and civil
ivy Nc not 10 particle Of sympathy or civiity,
vhen through bis incOmpetency or erin ina nesS
Tue army is reduced to the point OF starvation FoT
10 this dilemma be is reduced by Lis order OF the
"a March couiessing that be bad supplies for the
army and must resort arbitrary mpressments for It's
daily support This proves that he had climinay neg
eeted his duties competent 20 their perform
ance. What is = commiSsary for except to make pro-
vision for the army What this man doing all last
rear that he laid up no stores lie had the whole Of
Virginia below the mountains to operate in. He had
the Northern Neck, overlooking with provisions Of all
kinds, where the patriotic people enireating him
to take their and wheat before The enemy should
return and seize it. What did he doy Did he heed
iheir entreaties. Not BIT Of it. He got bis supplies
then from the very region Of eountry-une1pOsed TO
the enemy-On which he nov has to rely. lie left the
Northern Neck With its rich stores and LOudOun and
FauQuler to feed the returning Yankees snd to be
aged As recent accounts tell hey There is so
much of stupidity in this conduct, that it Is almost inn
possible not to suspee. spice Of knavery to be min
gled in it
But besides Virginia there other fields open to
him and We are assured by gentlemen prvy to them,
that propositions we're made TO him for large supplies
lom that quarter, which he promptly declined. We
forbear being more specific lest if similar propositions
should hereafter be made, when the Commssary De-
uartment should happen be in the hands of men Of
sense, they might, by being known, be defeated.
But the apologst Of the Coumssary informs US that
bis conduct has undergone investigation by Con
grsssonal Committee and he is entitled to the verdict OF
aeouitta We we're not aware that any thing but the
famous -four contract had been before the committee;
and the Sennsl rather hints thsn sms such be the
r,-e. But even If such we're the fact and Congress
had probed all his official eOnduet-in the presence Of
finishing army the result of bis own delinquency, NJ
report of a committee could maintain it's ground for
moment
In most vel ordered Governments and in peace
fol times official incomPetency, Of which failure Is the
best evidence, is deemed sufficient TO require the
removal Of the incumbent In times Of war when tbc
very existence of tAe State is at stake common pru
depce would seem to dictate the instant dismissal Of All
Incompetent official at the first symptom of incaracty
Sat We live under another and, may it prove wiser
dispensGtiOnl'
While on this subject, would call the especial al.
,euton Of all our people the suggestions of the See
p,.ry Of War for supplying the deficiencies caused by
tSe past neficieney of the COmmissAry Department -
Toe temper manifested BY the Secretary Is diHesen;
fom that of the orders for arbitrary impressmenS
Sod pces heretofore issued by the Commissary Il
NE hope the past viii be forgotten, that every w
s1sr. all his energies to supply the army Our all d..
Dspds on i.-and cannot get rid q the WOrlhle b
COumisarat-let the people organize themselves into
one nat will prove effective.
We republsh Mr.. SeddOn3 suggestions in this con
ps1ion:
PLAN sUGGEsrEs ~ SECRETARY or WAR.
l. Let the people in each county, parish or ward Sc
l,et AZ public meeting, as early as convenient, com
eee Of three or discreet eitizsns charged Vit
duties hereinafter mentioned
mi Letit be the duly Of this committee 10 ascertain
from each citizen The county o. parish what amount
Of surplus corn and meat whether bacon, pork or beef
S can snare for the use Of tie army, after reservng
supply for bis family aud those dependent on him for
IL, this committee sx price which is deemed by
them lust compensation for the articles furnished and
loorm the citizens what this price is so that e9eh may
know before delivery, what price IS 10 be paid Tor the
ar:eles furnished.
- This committee make arrangements for the
transportatiCn Of the supplies TO some convenient
deoOt after consultation with the Ocer who Is to re-
eeiVe them.
Let the committee make delivery OF the supPnes OF
receiving payment Of the price, aad assure the duty o.
paying it to the citizens Who have furnished the
supplies
lii WI ere the duty Of the committee is performed
IN any town or ety at which there may b Quarter,
master or CommSsary further duty need be required
Of them than deliver the officer list OF the names
Of the citizens and Of the supplies which each Is ready
% furnish and the price fixed whereUpOn the obee'
win himself gather the supplies and make payment