Year: 1863

ne LtttSOITy DUHy UUSetto, tho lso-
publican organ of Western Pennsylvania,
in an editorial article week before last, says:


''We have already suggested that we
would regard the denomination Of Cover
nor Curtin as great calamity to the party
and to the country, for the double reason
that we should expose ourselves to the inn
minent risk of defeat, if we did not even
show thereby that we had deserved it, and
that we should render service very doubtful
to either by electing him. We now pro-
ceed to assign some of the reasons for that
opinion.


1t cannot be disputed, we think, that his
administration has proved eminently disas-
trous to the party which brought him into
power. That it has been an unfortunate
one for the state the present condition OF
her plundered sinking fund and dilapidated
revenues will abundantly attest. 1t is not
clear that it has been wholesome for the
country. 1t is but too clear that it has been
damaging one for himself-so damaging
that it is more than doubtful whether the
Union sentiment, strong as it unquestiona-



pinion so generally entertained Of his integg-
rity and wisdom, Notwithstanding the more
than charitable reserve of the press, which
has flung mantle over his faults, and per-
haps encouraged his friends and himself to
believe that the history Of his administra-
ton will continue sealed book or be forgot
ten amid the clangor of arms and the strife
of the battle field.


He came into office less than three years
ago with huge majority, and Legislature
of which nearly three-tourths of both branch
es were, OF claimed to be, Republicans. At
the end of one session he had thrown all
that majority away.


Entrusted with the privilege of expend-
ing the first appropriation made by the Leg
islature for the common defence, he gave to
his own creatures the power Of making con-
tracts, as his private agents, in relation with
which they were entirely unfamiliar, to the
great injury of the soldier, who was victim
ised by their unskillfulness or fraud This
fact was found by committee appointed
by himself, under the pressure of public
| clamor, which grew out of the treatment Of
the volunteers who had assembled at Har-
risburg Those Isave young'men who had
responded so generously to the first call of
their country, were in rags, with shoddy
vestments, shoes whose soles were stuffed
with shavings, and blankets almost as thin
and transparent as window pane. 1t was
reported and believed that they had been
giyen over to the tender mercics of a few
heartless spectators who were then hover
ing about the capital. The officers at Camp
Curtin, justly indignant at what they saw
drew up spirited remonstrance to the Leg
islature, which was presented to the House,
at their instance by one Of our own mem
bers. 1t was suggested to him the propri-
ETY. of an inquiry as to the nature of the
contracts made for supplies, and the names
of the agents, through whom they were
made, and he offered resolution according
ly. He wished to know and let the public
! know, whether it was true that sundry in
dividuals then lettering around the capital,


who were pointed out by the tongue of l1,-
NOR, and known to be entirely unfit for the


purpose, had been actually commissioned


by the Governor, as his agents, to make


contracts for the soldiers. One of thcsein-
dividuals was certain Charles nj. Neal, an


active ward politician, and Acting Commis-
sioner of Philadelphia who was understood


to be an intimate and confidential friend of


the Governor. The answer of the Cover


nor ignored the fact of has employment, al
though the record shows that ON he very
day preceding Or following his message to
the House he had endorsed and approved a
, contract for clothing made by the identical
! individual with the trowenfelds Of this city,
in that special capacity. On this contract


Neal was afterwards indicted heie, and it


was while that indictment was depending


that the Governor felt it necessary in order
: to appease the public clamor, divert from
his own head, to raise committee of his
, own appointment to inquire into his own
conduct. That committee proved Yery un-


expectedly fair one--so fair that it was
/, deemed prudent to withhold its rep,rt from
l the Legislature at the next ensuing session
: of that body. 1t found however, although
: it passed over the Frowenfeld casebecause


it was depending on the Courts-hat the
!. soldiers were in rags. With everydispos-
! ton to deal gently with the Governor, ii
: condemned his appointments and tht 'mode
= pursued by the government in mixing its


purchases. 1t declared that the ABSENCE Of
c a strict supervisory power had een the
n cause of much of the mischief thd had be-
IS fallen the State. 1t remarked, in deserving
, upon the character of the Governors agents,
: that 1t could not for moment be supposed
J. that there were not men in Pennsylvania,
:. whose service could have been commanded
g. and who by education and ability were o