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


THE GREAT FLOUR CONTRACT,
MrCHLTON, of Ala, submitted the following report
lnc committee on the Quartermasters and Commissary
departments to whom referred the resolutions OF
e ioueei urectmg Them TO inquire into and report as
70 tue contract made by the Commssary General with
hesfrs. haxaI, Crenshaw Co.. for supplies OF -four
have had the same under consideration and instruct me
| to report
That they have made very thorough examination as
to the hatueand terms Of the contract the parties CON-
cerned in IL as benefcaries the manner in which IL was
contracted its bona tides, the advantages which have
accrued and likely to result to the Government on
the hand, ard TO Messrs. haIall Crenshaw Co. on
the other well the reasonableness of said contract
the relative advantages it coners upon the Government
over other competing proposals. and the manner ia
which it has been executed by each of the contracting
parties.
In order to satisfy the minds of the committee more
fully these several points, and of the necessity for
making such contract they have extended the range
OF their examinations to embrace proof OF the Ia
ciies afforded bT the condition of the country, as well
as by its industrial and agricultural resources for OBJ.
tanning supplies of -four the quantity OF wheat raised
in the various sections Of Virginia. from which wheat
or flour could be obtained the number and capacity OF
the mills in Richmond and in the neghborhood Of the
army, and the means and appliances used by the Com
| missary General to obtain such supplies.
Your Committee herewith submit the dispositions Of
the various witnesses examined before them and copies
Of the correspondence d the Bureau Of Subsistence, in
relation TO obtaining supplies OF -four also the
respondenee in relation TO the making Of the contract
| with Messrs. Haxall Crenshaw & Co.
Having thus examined and reported the facts in full
elected upon an examination occupying tie assiduocs
attention of the Committee for several weeks they
might well close their abOrs without expressing their
opinion upon these facts but as the public int rest
suffered by reason of Misrepresentation in regard to this
contract, in the Withholding OF supplies Of wheat in
instances, the supposng that il would 90
swelling the bOaed fo tunes of grasping eIoroners
and spectators upon the country, the CommitteSare
willing to assume any measure tf responsibility which
may be supposed to have been devoived upon themby
the r. solution Of the House.
Without discussing the policy, attempting 10 de-
mcnsrate the necessity OF accommodating large supplies
of flour in Richmond, beyond the reach of tie enemy,
to be ground oil wheat mostly banned from sections
which threatened to be oVerrun by foe, who
gardess of private rights recognized by the laws of
civilized warfare fails to appropriate destroy
the property which falls under his control the Commit
tee will proceed 10 state the following conclusions TO
which their minds have been forced by the proof they
| unhesi' atingly give their unanimous consent:
]. That udent precautionary measures were adopt
ed by the Commissary General in the of letting
| out this contract.
| 2 That the firm with whom the contract was made,
furnished in its appliances capacity integrity and ei
cicLcS unqucstionabe security that the
part would be faithfully complied WITH aside from the
| bond and security which it gave.
g. That said firm acted in good faith in the proposals
made in accordance with the request OF the Commssay
General that the proposal which was accepted the
| best which could be obtained for the Government.
| 4. That the contract made with Messls. Haxall
Crenshaw Co.. was fairly entered into That no Gov.
eminent agent either directly Or indirectly was or ever
had been interested, in any manner whatever in the
profits Of the contractors.
| 5. That the contract was just aud reasonable and
does not secure the contractors more than fair aud
equitable compensation for the labor and services
aured of them in its fulflment.
c. That thus far has been carried out by the
tors with scrupuous good faithaud, in the opinion of
the committee has enabled the Government TO obtain
supplies Of -four at cheaper rate than could otherwise
have been obtained
| In conclusion your committee would add that they
have examined many persons, experts in the mangiac
turc of flour, &C. and with accord they have pro-
nounced the contract reasonable and just aud many of
them say the contractors do not receive the usual com
pcusaton for grinding and hauling the wheat and -four
TO and from the respective depOts in Richmond, aud
furnishing TO the Government the barrels packages
and three of them, who had denounced tho contract
under mistaken view Of its provisions which had beep
for prudential considerations, kept from the public upon
being made acquainted with the terms of the contract
| unhesitatngly approved it as jus. aud reasonable
IL is to be greatly regretted that much injury has
crued to the Government already from these msappre
tensions and if this invest CATION shall satisfy the pub
lie las il must when the proof read that the conrac
tors are making sacrifices for the public good, in the
matter of said contract and that it is the patriotic duty
of all holding wheat, which tEey owe to an mperied
country, to let the Government nave the same to be
ground into flour TO subsst noble army, the com
mttee will be fully compensated for the arduOus duties
devoved upon them.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
w. 7. Chiffon, Chairman.
The report and contracts were laid OIL tire table and
ordered TO be printed
| 40 MENIAL SERVICE NOR SOLDIERS.
| Mr. CLARK, of ia, from the Committee on the
Quartermasters Department, reported bill to prohibit
tie improper employment of soldiers, which taken
up and passed. The bill provides that any commits
stoned officer shall be cashicred, and any non-commis
soaed officer reduced to the ranks, who shall order
detail any noncommissoned oicer or private TO per-
form mental or personal service.
THE oDNAXcE DEPARTMENT.
Mr. BOTELER, of Va, from the Committee on Ord
nance and Ordnance Stores reported the following b',
which were taken upsand passed.
To provide for the appointment of Military Store
keepers in the Provisional Army OF the Confederate
States; ,,>,
Senate bill to authorize the Secretary Of the Navy to
Lease site near the city of Richmond for the prepara-
ton and safe.keeping Of ordnance stores;
To provide for the appointment of Superintendent Of
| Laboratories;
To fix the pay and allowances of the Master Armorer
at the G. s. Atmory in the City OF Richmond
THE CHIEY oT ORDNANCE.
| Mr. CONRAD, of La, from the same committee, re
ported bill confer upon the Chief of the Bureau
Of ordnance the rank, pay and allowances of Brga
| der General
The question on postpouing and placing on the cal
epdar was decided in the affirmative, when Nj BRlDGERs
moved reconsideration, which was carried, and h'
bill was taken up
Mr.. JONES, Of Tenn, moved TO commit the bill t
the Committee on Military Affairs, with instructions t
inquire into the eIpediency of comforting the rank
General on each OF the heads of the Genera
staff, and also, on the Chief of Ordnance and the Chic
of Engineers, Not agreed. toi.
On motion of Mr.. ASHE, Of n c. the bill was amend
al so as TO include the Chief of the Engineer Bureau
and the BILL as thus amended passedyeas 81, nays IS
rHE GENERAL ELECTION BILL.
Mr.. SWAMI, Of Tenn, from the Special COMMITTEE
on that subject reported back the bill in regard 10 hold
ing elections for Representatives in Congress in district
occupied BY forces of the enemy, with sundry amenu
,.orJ;p0 uhich the hour for arrived.