Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-09-21
THOSE EXPENSES!
AND THAT s1,O4s.
Further Explanations in Order
From the Portsmouth Valley Blade.
VANCE AND COUSIN JOE.

Colonel Vance has been telling
over the district at his meetings, that
the valuable services rendered by his
cousin, Joseph P. Aleshire, as an
equivalent for the 500 paid him,
was the discovery of steal of 81, ,04S
by w. II. & o. HI. Morrison, of
Washington City, D. G. The lead
ing Mr.. Morrison is a Democrat, and
below we append his reply, in the
shape Of a letter to a citizen of this
city.
Colonel Vance has also been tell
ing over this district that he discov-
cred frauds in the Printing Depart
ment of the Government, to the
amount of $5O0,0O0. The reply to
that charge is contained in the letter
of Hon. j. NJ. Edmunds, Secretary
of the National Republican Commit
tee, to a citizen of this place, which is
given below.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. IA.
DEAR SIR:-In your letter of the
9th inst. you say that Col Vance as
serts Il }, that he only spent $932.74
in investigating; and (2), found
Morrison & Co., Of Philadelphia had
overreached the government $1,04S,
which they paid back; (3), also that
he had discovered frauds to the
amount of 100000 in the printing
department.
An investigation shows:
1. The amount actually allowed
and paid for per diem and mileage of
witnesses on account of the Printing
Committee, amounts to $l400. Bills
are still outstanding for expenses in
Cured which will increase this sum.
For printing testimony, DC. for this
Committee, $5S9.29. Total ascer-
tanned expense, $1,9S9.29.
9. The firm alluded to is w. H.
d o. HI. Morrison, of this city. The
firm had for many years made large
purchases of books from the govern
ment printer, promptly paying the
bills when presented. The only
foundation for the charge made by
Col. Vance is the fact that at the
time of the investigation the amount
due from them to the government,
the bill not having been presented at
that time, was $1,031.29. Mr.. Nor
rison's statement is enclosed. 1t is
proper to add that this gentleman is
an ardent Democrat and an enthusi-
astic supporter of Tilden and Hen
bricks.
8. All the testimony taken by the
Printing Committee was, by a vote
of the House, referred to the judi
ciary Committee. AS this Commit
tee failed to find therein sufficient
evidence ON which to base articles Of
impeachment against the govern
ment printer, and as no proceedings
were taken to recover 100000, or
any other sum, one or both of these
Committees have been derelict in
duty if the charge made by Colonel
Vance is correct.
Mr.. Clapp, the Government Prin-
ter in letter to HI. A. Kent, Pro-
bate Judge, Gallipolis, Ohio, has
given some information respecting
the investigations of the Printing
Committee which may be of value to
YOU. j. NJ. EDMUNDS,
Sec'y Rep. Congressional Com.
DEAR SIR:--In reply to yours of
the 18th, calling my attention to re-
marks made by the Hon. John L.
Vance in a speech in Ohio, in which
he says, that in investigating the
Public Printer, he found that Morri-
son & Co. had overreaehed the Gov
ernment more than would meet the
expenses of the investigation, | beg
leave to say, that the Honorable gen
tleman is saying that which is not
true when he makes such state
ment. What he discovered was this:
That we had ordered certain books
from the Government Printer and
had received them, and the Printer
had never presented any bill for
them. As soon as the bill was pre-
sented it was paid. If you will ex-
anime my testimony before that COM
mittee, think you will find that to
be the substance of it. 1 did not
know exactly Whist we did owe him,
until after examining the receipts |
and checks, which we held. But 1
never denied owing him, and was
ready tOpay whenever called ppon, and
did pay him. We mover supposed
for moment but that the bill would |
some day be presented to US, and
when called upon by the committee,
1 did not shirk any of their ques-
tions, as there never was any inten-
tion on our part to defraud the Gov
ernment out of cent. We have
never offered, or paid Mr.. Clapp one
penny. nor has he eyer, in any man.
ner led us to suppose that he would
receive it If offered.
w. HI. MORRISON.