The New York Herald Newspaper, March 27, 1860, Page 4

4 THE PRINTING CORRUPTION IN CONGRESS. | sebae deren Ot pot ot eas mises the govern. Report of the House Commit‘ee on Public Expenditures. BICH TESTIMONY OF WENDRLL PHILLIPS. How the Newspapers are Subsidized by the Public Money. FIFTY PER CENT OVERCHARGED FOR PRINTING. THE BEPUBLICAN PLUNDER. Testimony of Tom Ford and John D. Dufrees. CURIOUS DEVELOPEMENTS, ae, &., &e. Wasminaton, March 26, 1860. Im the House to day Mr. Haskin, from the Committee on Public Expenottures, submitted the foliowing majority” Teport om the public printing:— ‘The Commitice on Pubic Expenditures, under the reso- lutions acopted by the Ho.Be of Rep esentatives on the 9th and 13tn of February, 1860, instructing them to 1o- Quire into the price of the puouc priutiog, and to report Buch modificauons of the retes paid as public justice aod a due regerd for a rigia economy shail cistte; and also to ‘@xemive 10 the laws io reistivn to the public privting for the Bouse of Ry presentativee, the duties of the puolic privter, and to reyort thereon th favor of such change or improvement 4s they may deem advisable, Deg leave to make the following report:— ‘The committer, under their several powers, as well as under the sutnority specially celegutea to them, have given to the subject refereed to them that full and com plove examupation wbich tbe House ana the country de- mand, Wibao view of Obteming @ thorouga knowledge Of the Wor kiDgb Of the present rystem and the changes, mooifica obs or reforms Deceebars, tae commitice took ic officia's engaged by the gov- apd Superipiendence of the hic printing, from tow Snperimtensent of the Pubuc Prmting bimret, down to the foremaa employed ia the eoiab winn ot where that prindog bas been aoue for the past GX care, snd also of cortam repwable pracveal printers of great experience and ability ip their pro ession. From the jacks eneited i ther toation, tae comaut © fee} jusufed wn statiog “hat the extravagant profits accruing from the public jrivting under the law of 1852, now an for ve, Dave provec a Pandora's bux, and will prové such im the havcs of apy party im power. Evideuce of this fact te coptaiwed tw the testimony taken before the com- mittee, sow ng that Wenoeil, the printer de facto of the Jast Cov)rcer, paid Barris and Sieeoman. the priaters de jure of tbe (#0 houses, some $75,100 tor the privilege of ‘colvg the work, and tha; Geo. W. Bowman, the present Senate aud Executive prioter, pays Joo. © Rives, who ‘actualy does the work, sixty-six and tw.-tbires per ceat for dowg tt, reserving to bimseil a clear profit of thirty Qhree aod ode wird per cept of the amount paid by the go verrment If ihe Sevate aad Executive priaupg amouats iu the aggregate 10 as much this Congress as it aid in the ‘Thirty urcb Cor grees, Mr. Bowman #33! receive from tne goreroment seme forty oad thousand dotlars for doing Bdwolutey Lotuing Tae syetere demands instant reform, of change, or correction of the ubuses existing under it Tn the debuts ic Congress iv relation to pubic printing, three ditferentsy stems have ocey pied its attention, aud ihe pres of the country haa also thoroughly discussed the ad- Vamtages or disadvantages of each, 1 centract By stew 2. A pational or government printing ofice. 3. The present #)etem. Your Commitue reter the House to a report made to as 1819, by Hop. Mr. Witon, a distingelsbed Senator in Cougress ied he briefly Dut comprehensively explawed the merits and de’ cts of each of the three aifle Tent sy#tems, The commoement of the oxistings; stom wus Communicated to the Senate Feb. 19,1819 Mr. Whisoa, from the Jowt Committees on the subject of public print- ing, tade the following report to the ceva e, that regard ing the subject commitied to thom as connected with the Ooavenience of the memvers, the information of tbe com munity , the ccovomy of time and money and the charac- ter of the country, they bave given it all the couside tion which tuelr other engegemen's permitted; that three | Oifferent moc: # of procuring the printiog of Congres Lo be executed have undergone their discussion and delivera- tion: first, offering the work by advertwement, as at | t, ‘to the lowest bidder. On this mode Re committee remark that, although at the drat glance it may etrike the mind as the most economical, experience, and observation do not prove it 80, Competitors for the work underbid each other until it is undertaken lower than it cas be afforced, and too small an establishment and wo few workmen are consequently employed to execute the printing with the avcessary prompttude. Bence, both houres have freqnenti} to wait long for inte- resting and tmportent communications from the Presi dent or heads of departments, reports, bills, resolutioas, &c., upon which they are called to act, aud the {oss of time thus incurred, considering the Gaily expeuse at which Congress sits, costs the nation much more than the diference bi tween the present price ania hberal allow ance which would justify the application of a greater © apt Yai to insure the despatch of the work. Another disad vantage altend ng the present mode js, that the reauced ote of the work prevents that care ana attentiva from ing bestowed on it which is necessary to its Deatness and accuracy; ana documenta are not only distributed throvgh this nation, but dipersed through Europe, which are executed in such an inelegant and incorrect manner as must bring Gisgrace wad ridt- cule om the literature and of our country, ‘That the present price of printing is too low would be Tead!'y dwcovered bs any of the professionals, and the fact that no other printer in the district could be fad by the Secretary or the Clerk who woul! execute the work at the contract prices, must satisfy the mind of every gentleman of the truth of what the committee have assorted How far it is reputable for Congress toendeavor to bave their work cone below a fair ana reasonable price, may be @ matier of doubt; hut i6 does not aduit of w question thatthe compensation ought to be aiequate | to the object of procuring that Work wo be done ata pro. per time and in a eu manner. Second--A second mude BogREsted to and considered by the committee was the esiabhemept of a rational printing olfice, with a bmaery and stationery annexed, which stoala execute the work of Congress while in session, aad that of the various departments of government cariog the reorts, apd ehoult do ali the bindig and furnish the statiovery for the departments, as well as for Coogress. To ascertain the amount of expenditures of these odjecta, inqui ies were acdressed by the commitree to the heads Of Cepartinen's, Attorzey General and Postmaster Gene Tal, apd avawer received trom each. Some ot the reporis fore made ip euch a manner ae not to epadle the Con- mittee to feparate the accounts for printiog trom those for bioding and stationery; but the who!+ amount exceeds forty-cnw outand coilars. Adi to this the expeasnures of the Senate and House of Representatives on the same objects, viz'—the former $8.0.0 sod the Jatter $15,000 and the aggregate covt of the public printing ana s' tonery is about $65,000 a year, of which probably onc- half is tor printing, ard this it will be remembered does not tuclade the great variety and pumber of blanks else where than at the seat of government from coptes far- nished by the Tepartments of the Treasury, War, kc, which might be done here at a much Iss expense were a uations! printing office csblished. The committee are of opinion that such ap establishment, | under the superintendence of a man of activity, totegrity ‘and dlecretion, would de likely to produce promptitue, uniformity, accuracy woce in the execution of the public printiog: and they are not cortain that it would not, in the result, copnecting with it a bindery and sta. tionery as alreacy suggested, be found the moat ecoaomi- cal. But as the priocipie is somewhat novel, and the de » the taila wonld require Frome seliveratic have not deemed it advi seeeion, and amidet the pressure w both houses ex perience from the accumulation of business imoortant to the nation or iuteresting (o indivituais, to submit & pro position on which there would probably be a considerabie division of opioion abd consumption of time Third—Under ali circumstances, the commitiec have deemed {t their duty fo rrcommenc thet @ tariff of prices for every kivd of printing required to be done for Congress be fixed by a joint resolution of the two houses, to continue ia force for ‘two years, and ibat before the close of the present so8- sion each hovee make choice by ballot of a printer to ox- eoute ite own work duriug the ext Congress The price should be adequate to tbe employment of sutlicient capt tal and workmen to perform the work expeditiously, ant to insuse such cere avd attention as shail give it such a degree of accuracy and elegance as shall not dishonor the Hterature and typogrsphy of the country. With former contracts before us, apd with the professional knowledge ‘which may be calird in aid, no difficulty woald occur in forming the tardf allude to on principies at once liberal to the printer ard adventageous to Congress; and on the se lection of its printer eaci House would coubtloss take es- ry care to choose @ man of capacity, provity, aod re- ponsibiity. In addition to the bond and eecarity to be required them for the faithful peformance of their obligation, a provision might be added, that in case of ap ubreasonadie Celay another person might be emploped to do the work, at such @ price as the Secretary or Cielk mught be able to get it done for, and that the 9) printers, reepectively, be responsible for any arf. rence between the sum allowed them and that which it might be pecezsary to give Lim. 1c this connection, your com mittee also beg leave to refer to an elaborate report goade auring the laet Corgrees, upon the subject of the podiic pri.tng, eye peng ce binding It was madefrom a select committee of the Hovee, by the Hon Geo. Taylor, of New York, and coutsiped much statistical 1a ’ormation apd many important suggestions in regard to the suoject mpder consideration. (See report 050, volume 24, re- ports of committees Jat sersion Jith Congress, the wit- nesses and thetr testimony.) Among the tret acd most instractive of the witnesses examined your com- mittee was the Superintendent of the public priating, Jao. Exg., appointed by the Presicent, and receatly eonlirmed by the Senate. He testified that under tne Bt &) unjust and its were made, Brg that Une pricce now paid ougot o'be reduced at nas ; leo tract system, and recommended oe ee tena thes intro- present s ssion e Hon. Mr. a woo, Commaition on Printing. He tur. from the me pumber of other witenees, Mr. Cornelias feadelly who executed the entire public toe! committee | le, at this late perio of the | NEW YORK HERALD, TUESDAY, MARCH 27, 1860.—TRIPLE SHEET. prioting during tbat period of time might bave been dons WEDS tor doing tb Sohow iw, bat @ He furai-bed tbe committee vig Cpgrees io the pruptiog alone, during that “me, amounting to the gross sum of seven hundred ao Offyeera thovseod ix hundred and fifty eight Goliars and fitty dve orpts, pot inciuowg the Cua- @eesional Glote, vpom which on csumated. sav- ing Of two buvdred and jorty thousand for @ like period might bave beem mate. James English, & prectical printer, and foreman of the Wendell prunting eee busbment, in which the work bas deen douc for a puaber of years past, and in part is now done, testided that the rates Bow paid for composition were one dollar rer page for small pica, two collers for brevier Ogured, end Sane coon feventy fre cente for peapariel al (oad presework, tb two cents per page for wbich is sang cent per pake for 1,000 copies, or about $1 04 per token, tbat ihe profit derived by a Nc printer on each of these rate was, on ten per cept, on the brevier thirty per cent, ani on popparell tarty per cent, weich prott, large profit on the prees work, pew to the tome Ofty or fifty five per cent clear profit paid him for colpg the work Mr. ish stated that he and combe, bad cffered to 60 the whole icy cents op the collar of the prices paid by » | tical printer, who bas been in charge of | Gell eetabluebment tor yeara, William To: | erenae ‘witnesses, a8 did also Joseph T. practicel printer, who bas been connected svother with the public | past. Mr Crowell, in ad for a vumber of years | rected with the biic Port office blapks for ahy and | the prices allowed by law, and | Out by contract to the lowest bidder, the coule gave at leset thirty thousand dollars per aunom out of the forty or forty five thousand dolars tofore paid for baving it done. These witmerses all srcegs favored the catadbusbment of a government printing ), Ube las- ter staipe that be bad visited the trinting offices ip England and France, while George W. Bowman, Exq., wbo was present, enjoys the Exo- | cutive apd Senate printing, Jobu C. Reeves, tbe printer of the Oopgressional Globe and the sub-contractor under Mr. Bowfben, was dowg the Executive and Sepate print- ig, esch tested in favor of the present system aud ia opposition to apy material change in it, and especially in Opposition to the eatadlishment of a gove nwent prinung cfice, Lemuel Towers, @ practical printer, doing au ex- tepeive business ip this city, favored the giving out of the priptpg by contract tprough the Superintendent's office io »be lowest bidaer, while Wm. W. Mooro, of the Nattonal Intelligencer office in this city, also & prectcal printer, apd as oxperiepced as Mr. ‘Towers thought that in view of the operation of the con- tvact Fystem ip the past, that ft would be neither just to the public or the government to re-establish it. His tes- ‘meny Was 6u] ted by that of John Dufrees,# practi cai printer. who was of the opinion that a goverameat printing office, properly guarded, was the beet system thet conld be devised. Messrs. Ford, the House Privter, and Brown, one of the editors of the Monstitution, besiaes the witnesses named, were each examined before the commattee, without affording any particular information vpon the subjects under investigation. From the evidence adduced before the committee, they bave concluded that the rates fixed for printing compost ton by the law 1862, require but little modification or change, but they are clearly of opinion that the prices Low paid on the prees work abould be reduced in the ag grepate at least eixiy five per cent, Abures onder the present system, your committee, in view of the rumors | conveyed throug articles in responsible preeses, and of the chargrs wade by members upon the floor of the House, gave to the abuses alleged to exist a thorough x amination. This investigation developed the fact that these abusce existed cbieily in the uses made of the ex- ccetive profits derived from the executive printing, whirh sles has been by custom, and not by inw, controtied y the President of the United States. nrect evidence on the subject was given by Corne- jus Wendell, b's testimony being corrobora ed by otbera, bere the committee quotes Weudell’s testimony from the following question, “ State a'l the facts in con- nection with the transfer of the government organ to Gen. Bowman,” down to the following answer: ‘He never hifted a fipger except to write to me occasionally to accept cra‘ts for tim io advance,”’ The reporttben proceeds: Thus it appears that out of the profits of this branch of | the pul printing usual y given by the President to bis personal favorites and partisaoe, $20,000 per annum was appropriated to the support of his personal orgen ip tole city and his partisan prerses in Phitsdelpbia Your com- mittee cam see no propriety in Congrees continuing this fund cevoted by the President to keep in existences a news- paper in this city of an expensive executive character, | sinking pineteen thousand dollars per annum, which offi- | cl organ of the government is constantly disgracing the country by its defamation of personal character, and its | scorrilous attacks upon all who choose to differ Irom the | sdwinistration cor in power. Thero is not one redeeming feature about this unscrupulous journal which would jus tify Congrees in allowing to remain in the hands of the President the patronage with which he has heretofore éustained it. Unlike the Loudon Times, reeognized as the exponent io part of the views of the Briush government, an tocependent and able journal, wiel¢ing immense infla- ‘ence over tbe prople of Frgland; and, unlike the Axratn, Times and Tribune, of New York, and the press of Phila- delpsia, newspapers of immeuse circulation and position— creators snd optrollers of public jom in our own country—this home organ is notoriously destitute of ali their characteristics, and is the mere tender to the preju- oices of the Executive and to the political aspirations of his Cabinet advisers. Two of its editors, tt appears by the evicence, were government oflicials—one of them, probably, receiving two salaries: oue in his ca: pacity as Assistant Secretary of State, and anotber as editor, It further appears that cach of these editors nsed the columns of this journal mentioned, and sy; out of the public print. ported pul ing plopder, furnished by the President to justify his efforts to force the Leflompton constitution upon the peo- me of Kaness, hia abanvonment of the principles upon which be was elected and bia betrayal of the Northern democracy. In this connection your committee deeply regret that the President did not carry out in the fall elections of 1888 the same doctrines which he expreased in bis celebrated Duquense letter, written on the 22d of November, 1858. Ip that ktter he said:—“I shall assume the privilege of advancing yeara in referring to anotber growing and dangerous evil. Inthe last age, although Gur journals, hke ourselves, were divided into political parties, which often bad severe conflicts with each other, yet we never heard, until within a recent period, of the employ ment of movey to carry elections. Should this practice iperease unl the voters and their representatives w the State apd national legisiatures sball become } infected the fountain of free government will then be poisoned at its source, and we must end, as history | proves, in a mititary cespotism. A democratic republic all agree cannot long survive unlees sustained by pabiic virtue. When this is corrupted, and the people become vepa), there is a cancer at the root of the three of liberty which must cause jt to wither and die.’ It appears that but 8 few weeke before this ictter was written large sums out of the profits of the public printing were veed with bos imphed consent for the purpose of controlling the Congressional elections in Penusyivania and New York. In the Berks county districts of Pennsylvania a part of this money was used, but notwithstanding the oid Jack- son cemocracy of that district, with an incorruptibility for which they deserve all praise, a-feated the President's favorite and present Minister to Aus- tris, John Glancy Jones, and lected to tho present Congress in his stead Major John Schwartz, tbe only district in that State saved from the wreck by the use of the profits of the executive printing, and other executive patropage being that of Colonel Fior- ence, apd itis bere wortby of remark that the only ad- ministration representives returned from the State of New York st that fall election, are four from the City of New | York, towards whose olection Mr. Wendell contributed cut of the printing profits. These facts preve that Con- | grees io voting much larger sums for the public printing than have been required to do the work, bas placed in the bands of the Presicent rn immense patronage, with which he bas tried to effect a centralization, courted ead desired by him ever since be has occupied the Executive chair — Soch a centralization was feared deprecate by the Father of the Republic, af he appears from the debates | in the Convention beld at Richmond, Va., in 1788, to pass | upon the acceptance or rejection by that State of ibe fede- ral constitution. In that Convention Patrick Henry took bigh ground agsicsteven the legitimate patronage with | Which the President was invested by the constitution. Tae | immense patronage of the President was objected to, be- | Cause it placed in bis hapds the means of corrupting the Congress. the pavy and army, and of distributing, more | over, througbout the society, a band of re- | tainers im the ehape of judges, revenue ofli- cers and tax gatherers which would render him | irresistible in apy scheme of ambition that be migat wreditate against the liberties of his country, the irrespon- tibility of the whole gang of federal officers, as they were | called, was objected to. How prophetically these truths bave been exemplified by the course of events in this go- vernment, cepecially under the present administration! Your committee congratulate the House upon the great reform already efiected uncer the law recently passed, giving ovt the Post Office blank printing by contract to the lowest bicder, by which printing, which has hereto: fore cost the government about forty five thourand dollars per annum, will hereafter cost bat about three thoutand dollars. They regard this reform as one of the yesults of the investigations instituted by the Senate and the House into the present system of executing the public printing, and hope that others will speedily follow of equal benefit to the government. In order to bring there reforms immediately before the Honse for action, the committee report the following joint resolutions, reserving to themselves the right to report bill embracirg their views more in detail as to certai: ) edifications or chavges of the present laws in relatio. to the printing, binding and eograving:— Be it reeoived, by the Senate and the House of Repre septatives of the United States in aseembdled ‘That heres‘ter no perton hall be elected, either as th» printer to the Sevate or the printer to the House of Repre- fentatives, who is not at tbe time of such election a prac tical pripter, and of fair reputation for skill and ability 88a member of that trade or profeesion; that bereatter, upon the election of the printer to the Senate, he shall execute a bond, with at least two good and. it eure- ties, m the pepaity of twenty five Buperintepdent, and eubdject tothe perivtendent, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Clerk of the House, for the 1 and hovest of | all the cuties devolving upon him as such Senate privter, snd in like manner upon the election of a printer to the Houre of Representatives, he spall execute and deliver to the raid superintendent a bond, with at least two good anc sufficient sureties in the same penaity, subj ct to the like approvai and for the like objects, which: donos sail be made, executed end delivered within ten days after such elections respectively, and shat! within that time be Sled ip the office of the said superintendent. Resolved, That the prices established and allowed for the public printing by tbe act entitled an act to provide for executirg the public printing and establishing the thereof, and for other purpones, approved August | 26, 1852; and by the several acts amendatory | thereof, that ,is to eay, for work, fold | ing, etitobing, sod same are, reduced ‘urpese of qivia ful \ tbe Puperinteodest of the Poblio Printing is hereby euttorized and directed to cause the acorunts of tre pubsc printer or printers to be made out sad ren ee ee ra ge ) Under the provauee of tne of August 20, except ap to printing of the Foet Cfice blanks, which have been ordered by the low Ree Se eee te te lowest bidder, and be! ing the same to the treasury for yeyment he sball deduct from the Segregate amount of buch account Bo rendered, (ne Bum Ot lorty per ceptum, aud the reeiaue ehail be receives by the Public Printer, or printers, ag twill compensation for work stated in said account, take from the JOBN B. HASKIN. JOHN W. KILLINGER, JOBN WOOD, GEO. W PALMER, MEL F SOMES. ‘The following are the names of the committes and the 4 NY. HA. Ecepundeon, Va. Joba W. Kuboger, Penn. |, Pena. ‘Thos. C. Hipoman, Ark. TESTIMONY OF CORNELIUS WENDRLL. a Were you the printer de facts of the last Congress? .» Twas. Q Who was elected printer of that House? A. James B. Stee¢man. Q You ase tbe printer of the House until you are eu- pertecead? A bat is the custom; | hold over until am- otber printer is elected. ay naan peoter of the Thirty-firth Congress? 8, sir. ,& Dia be ever perform the duties of that office A. Q When did you commence perf the duties of printer to tbe House? A. Immediately om hie election. Q Will you be kind epough to state in as concise s man- ber as pomible the terms upon which you became the printer de facto, as between youand Mr. Steedmaa, the printer elect of the Toirty Oopgress? A. | stipulated ‘with bim to do the work for sixty four cents in the dollar, that is, where be received ove dollar tor certain printing 1 got sixty-four cents of it for doing the work; aferwards tbat arrangement wes set aside and | gave bi stipa lated sump ena took the chances. He was very aaxious for money and I bougbt bim out entirely. Q. Be kia enough to state about what time you bought bim ovt extie'y for « stipulated sum? A He was elected ip December, and im May foliowing, I think, I gave him a sum. How much was thai? A. Thirty-four thousand dol- 8. Q. That was the whole bonus you paid him for selling out to you the rigbt of printer to the House? A. No, sir; subs quently to bat about a year, rather than have a row in the House about the matter, | paid him $1,800. It was o back bina operation with him; he toreatencd repgp ava make @ muss generally. Q Were apy otber parties interested with to the Profits of the printing on his election? A. Yes, cir; Mr. A. D Banks, Mr. Wasbington McL+an, Judge Waiker, and some two or three otherm who heid nor futoresta. Q Do you kvow what their several interests wore? A. Tupderstecd that Mr Banke’ ynterest was one balf, Mr. McLean's (ne third, ave Jucge Walker, I think, intormed me tbat be had a quarter inerest. Mr. Meee man, at the time of his election, any re in Wasbingtop tor the work which the pud- lic printer would be compelled to do? A. Nous whatever. Q Were you the Printer of the Thirty-fourth Cavgresst A. 1 wes elected Printer of the Toirty:-foarth Congress. Q. Con you etate from recollection the amount of money paid durwg the Thirty fourth Congress for the printiog cone for the Houre of Repreeentatives? A. Ltbiok it was abcut $20,000; Tem pot positive; it was some considera- ble sum, over $20€,(00, Q Cau you state from recollertion the profit? A. Well, 1 could not come very pear it, from the fact that I was cov g the Senate and Ex«culive work, binding and all w- Q factit ie: | gether, and kept no distinct account of the proat; I should itmegibe tbe profit ran near forty Hive cen's Q Forty-five cents on tbe collar? a. Yes, sir. Q Cop you state the aggregate amount psid for the print ng of the House during tbe Thirty-firtn Congress? A. Tt was @ trifle over $200,006; L think about $212,000, if my Memory eerves me; | bave a'l these Ogures to a cent. Q Can yon tell what waa te net profit on the work dove for the Thirty fifth Congress? A. { think it ram in the neighbor boos of forty cents. Q. Are yuu coing the printing for the present House of Represemtauves? A. Messrs. Eoglish & Larcombe are do- ing the work at my cifice. aa Who is ¢oing the printing for the Senate? A. Mr. ives. Q Whois tne printer of the Senate? A. George W. Bowman. Q Le you know the profits recetved by Mr. Bowman upon the printing done for the Senate? Do you know the profita of the Senate printer? A. J understand Mr. Rives gives bim thirty tbree apd a third per cent. Q Do you kiow the aggregate cost of the Senate print- ing during toe Thirty fourth Congrees? A. It was about $100,0CC: T think, ove bundrea and four or one hundred ‘and five thourand dollars. 1t was & trifle over one hun. cored tbourand, Q. What is the actual profit of Mr. Rives after paying this thirty-three apa a third per cent on the gross amount? A. 1 do not think be can make @ cent. Question by Mr, Somes—I underst20d you to say thatthe otita of the Sepate printing were one-third, atl of which r. Rives psys Mr. Bowan? A. I do not think he gets vbat under the new Jaw. The profite have been diminush- ea very materially under the pew law. Quettion by Mr. Somer—I want to know what the net profits now are? A. Iam informed that Mr. Rives teati- fled before a committee of the Senate that he gave Bow- man thirty-three and « thira per cent of the gross amount, but that be coula rot make {t, and that bis object in doing tbat wae to break Wendell down; 80 I have been told by tke reporter of the Bepate committee; in speaking of pro- fits gepth men must bear in mind that it ought to be cal- culated upon tbe aggregate amount of done; for in- stence, give me the Senate, House and Execative printing and binding, and, with the facilities I bave for doing the work, Isbould say the profits would range about fifty cepts on the dollar all around—less interest in invest- ment, perbepe. The Chairman—I am anxious ler that, for the rea- fon tbat in the report we make I sball bly show the peceesity tor a goverpment printing ofllce bere. ‘be witners— My origwal investment was $183,400, but we must allow from twelve to fifteen per cent for wear 2 tear, and keeping such an cetablishment in good order. Q You need some actual capital besides? A. Yes, sir; tweniy five, thirty, or forty thousand dollars, for the Pay ment of bands. Q. How many bands doyou average? A. I think there have bee Many as over four huadred on the pay roll when the work was at its beight. Q. Does your extabliebment do the printing and bind- ing’ A I bave dove everything there—the printing and biweing for the Executive Department, the prioting for both bouses, and the binding for the House ot Represen- tatives, for the last two years; I Dave done the extra bind- ing and alco the regular binding for the Clerk's oltice. Q. Who dees the Post Office blank printing? A. Mr. Crowell cid it up to the time of the election of Mr. Bow- men; vow Mr Jewett, of Buffalo, does it for Mr. Bowman. Q. Woo bes the contact for acing bat work? A. [tis Dot cove by contract, it is cope uncer the law which gives it to the printer elected by either house. Q. Do you recollect the aggregate emount paid for print img Post Office blanks during the Thirty 0 th Congresa? A. I think it averaged ubout $40,000 per year. Q Do you know the profit on that to the person who xe by the government for doing the work? A. One- alt, sir, Q. You say the work was done by Mr. Crowell? A. He tock a sub contract. Q. Whese does he live? A. In New Jersey. Q. Was we work doce there? A. It was done in New York. I woutd state that Crowell had been the contractor for the work for I think twelve years, and under the iaw of 1$62 the contract be then held ran out, and the work re verted under that Jaw to the printer of Congress. Question by Mr. Fouke.—Which printer? A. The printer of either House, as the superiptencent of the printing might give it. He did give it to the printer most general Jy connected with the organ of the President. Judge Nicholkon then edited the Union, and ho got it. I was the busipess man of Nicholson at that time, apd I made a sub- contract with Crowell, under which He did the work for Nichoison. Question by the Chairman —Had not Rice the printing of the Post (iftice blanks during the Thirty-fifth Congress? A. It wos given him for 8 period of about four months, but it made no a}teration in the arrangemest. I managed it. He never lifted a Boger. Q Hew much bonus did Rice receive for parting with his intercet in that contract to you? A. He received forty-three cents on the dollar from me. Q. Hao any otber parties an interest in the profits of the Post (fice bisnk contract? A. About four or five months after Rice received the contract the order was revoked, and it reverted to Harris, as Senate printer, whom I had already purcbased out, as I had Mr. Steacman, aod it fell into my bance; but the profits of that printing was left at the cieposal of the President, and under his direction Mr. Rice's per centage was reduced, and Mr. Severn, of the Vhiladesphia avgus, bad for a session @ portion. Q. What portion A. I think I paia him between five and six thousard collars. Q. Had apy other perton an interest in the printing? A. No, eit; ncne was given by direction to any body else; peepee need some myself as @ voluntary gift, a par- aD Q You bave stated that you made an arrangement with Harris, ibe Sevate printer, during the 35th Congress, to take this coptyact off bie bands. Dia you also have an ar- yargement with Rervis in relation to the general Senate ys. i Dovgbt him out entirely. @ enough to state what bonus you paid him ring bis rights as Senate printer to you? A. 1 pave Im $21,000 for the Senate printing; it ie proper 1 tbould explain tbat I took Harris as editor of the Union; 1 was then the owner of the organ; 1 took Mr. Harris as editor, witb the vpcerstanding that I should pay him so many tbovsand collars per anoum for editing the paper; 1yourd bem rather slack in it, and was compeilei to pro- cure other editorial assistance, and on bis election as printer, cesirous of getting rid of him as editor as wei) as printer, I stipulated to pay him $20,000 more than I had previovely given bim, which I think was some seven or eight thouland dollars for 9 period of nine or tn months. Q. What were the rates fxed and paic by law for doing the Houre printing anc Senate printing during the Thirty- fourth Ng Jiged A. The rates were the seme as they are pow; they will be found in the law of 1862. Q Staie what the rates are pow? A. One dollar a page for composition, plain matter; $2 for rule and figure, bre- yer; $3 75 Jor roppareil;, and twenty six cents por prj per id impressions of sixteen pages, press . which is the buik o' the work, making the proses work eqval to $1 (4 per token. Q, State, in the order you have stated the rates, what that work can be cone for, actual cost? A. I think a por- tion of it can berely be done for the money; other portions for twenty cents op the et eee of plain mat- ter costs All we get for tt; there is forty or fifty per cent profit on the figured brevier; put the figured brevier and the nonparie! together and the profit is one-half. Q. What ia the cost of the press work? A. The actual cost of that, ] sbould suppose, is about twenty cents. Q. That tbe actual cost of the work for which you are paid $1 04 is twenty cents? A. Yea, sir; in this is not included the fold! much for reporting and pr nting the debates, and thes Dees up the seme ma fm book form and getseo . ‘b per book, besides @ « cemt (or every impression of © fags Q. He gets paid for the seme work twice? A. Yea, sie. Q Aro then is #o much for dinding? What sre the profits ta that? A. I sbouid estimate the actual profits et Oy cents om the collar; I be forty cents ond tabe the chances; [ woud 8 thira per cent; I woula want to make a little. Mr. Ciopton—1 would hike to eek Mr Weaceil what per cent would be a resonable profit on the cost of the House Printing? Itake & what you have said about the House prin ing iB applicable to the Senate prindog? A Yea, sir; take the average all througb—Senate, House and Exeou- tive—epd the work costs Dot over Afty cents op the dol lar; a6 an evidence of that, 1didthe work, J think, for two yeare for Gfty cents dollar, and by Hf; I took it, strong, who died wi Bovre privtwg alove; | bad facilities then, for I the Severe pr for work tom the armetrong catate and an interest 068 to wind the best reform governmest in economy and ex- ne one were save ove half of what it bow costs, the first year. Let me instance: If the government bad establisbed a sationsl ret cffice for the Thirty third Covgrees, ax ago, bave saved the entire cost of (he that » while the lest two i would bai coin, ties, tire investment re would be liberal. Wo large, it apy: Dave visited it, regard it aa poe pa. Gc = a3 A Size, tor tate wbas I expreasiy built it for. Suerte Tenty Ah Congr by Es pda bag work of eas, wi jou wore wD snc concuct the goverument Organ, tbe Comsttation? A. No, Q wen e voluntary enterprise? A. Yes,eir. The editor of tbe organ is gene to command the Patronage of the President. 6 8 @ good deal oi this work at the disposal of the Bay BR aggregate Of che buncreo thourand Collasy & year, more Or less. Q At the cispota! o/ the President? A Yee,sir; that petzcnage the hes commanded for years, it being imporsiblo to keep a paper up bere without government pup port. Q Ie this ope bundred thousand dol'ars worth of pa- teovage you speek Of at the disposal of the President par sopa)/y? A. law provides that itrhall be under the coutrot of the Heace of the Departmente; but if the Presi- debt rignifes to bis Cabinet that be would be pleased to gee A, B, or C, get it, of a matter of course they will obey hw wieber; it bas been a matter of custom for the Presi cent to Clepose of it; Mr Buchanan bas dope it, and bis prececcesor, Mr. Pierce, dic it; I never bad app inter. couree wit the Cabinet In the matter: my intercourse bas oe cirect with Mr. Buchanan, and was so with Mr. fierce. Q You say the sggre; erount for the exeou- tive printing per year te $1C0,0C0? A From $56,000 to €210,C00; I thik that it will average $100 600. Q. Lo the profits on tbat printing averege fifty cents on the Collar? A. A portion of it averages much more, but the average cn the whole of ft is about thirty-five conte oa Abe Colln Q. Wor there ever any understandiog with you, while you bad tat print bate portion of tbe profits should de ured towarcg sustaining the organ? A Yes, sir; it wae given for the purpose of sustaining the organ. Q Was there ever apy understanding between you and the Preeicent s8 to what portion of the profits should go towards surtaining the goveroment organ? No, sir; | can- bot hy there Wea a airect unaerstanding. I understood it, and 1 euppore be aid. Q. There Was ro distinct sum fixed upon out of the profits? A No, sir; the understanding was that the paper ebould go cn. Q. And that that patronage abould supp-rt it? A. Yes, pir; 1 never bad aby thing to say about editing it. @. Do you know Who eaits the present organ? A. Mr. Brown, Tam told Q. Avy ove else? A. No, sir. Q. You never bad upy thing to do with the it er. gan, the Comtituticn? A No, sir; the name of the paper war changed when tt went out of my hands. Q. Woo was yourecitor? A. Mr A) , Mr. Wm. A. Barris, Mr Simeon Johnson, and Mr. R. W. Hughes. ‘Ibey were changed often. Q During that time were there any occasions on which the beace of the executive deparimen, or apy one of them, wrote editorials for the paper? A. My impression wor, | may say, Judge Bleck wrote for it. I think he wrote several artic, but Io pot know positively that apy other member of the Cabinet aid. Q Will you state to the commitice the circumstances attepging pour transter of the Union newspaper to the person who at present is at the bead of the government ? a. Ip Merch last I was desirous of seling or trapsfertpg the Uatn, on account of the magnitade of the business ] bad on hand, spd I proposed to tarn it over to the administration, and adoreseed a letter to the Prest- ‘ a8 i ti ie lodge Nisbetaos, intended for the Pri ‘The result of the negotiation ‘wos, that Mr, Bowman 10 be in the paper aed If Fbould retire from it, paying $20, per year to ite eup- port. A portion of }0L0 was to be paid tothe Penny lvomon ip Philacelphia, as I understood, bat in my written stipulations I to pay Bowman tho $20,000. The copsiceration that I was to receive ia return was, in caze of Bowman’s election, which was presumed bere to be an almost sure thing, I was to ihe a6 prices which would enable me to participate in © profits. Q. Do you recollect theee prices? A. The prices were not fixed: The understanding was that Bowman sbould cotrisk a doliar in any way; epainet all joes, and efford bim a liberal salary. On bis election ag printer, 1 epdesvored to carry it ont, but he refured to carry out the arrangement. A portion of the aropgement was in writing and a portion of it was a ver- bal urderstending. Q Who prepared the agreement? A. Judge Black, I thivk, as the friend of Mr Bowman. ). Have you that agreement? A. It is in the possession of tbe committee of the Senate Q. Wes i; at the request of the President that you trans- ferred the Union? A. I cannot say that it was; be was very eolicitous about securing & ebare for the Penanl- ranion; Ibave notembraced in my statement the Con- gremeral Glete pnowng, which I should think amounts to $90,000 or $160,000 a year; but J would be willing to take and eli the other ina lump, and do the work for one- bail what is now paid by Congress; I know it can be done, beravee, as | Dave before stated, ] have done it. Cornehius Wendell recaiied —Q State ail the facts in connection with®&the transfer of the government organ to General Bowman. A. On the occasion of my transfer of Abe paper to Bow many ‘Ibe Chairmar—Yes, sir. A. When I transferred the organ to Bowmen it was called the Cniom then, and ho remed it the Constitution, 1t wes stipu'ated that J sbould yey from. the proceeds of the printing of the Post_Office bienke $20,000 per appum until the epsuing eession of | Congress, when it was supposed he would be elected tho Senste printer. My stipulation was to continue with Bowman so long as the executive work, or work claimed ‘upcer the bead of executive work, and coming from the exeevtive departments, which wes then given ine, should be kit my bends. @ The executive work is the work coming from the Poet Office, tbe Treasury, abd the other departmente! A. | ‘The Port Office department alone has «law which provides that etther the printer of the Sepste or the House shall ¢o all the work of the executive departments, appended to which 18 @ clase which provices that avy work re- quired tor ure out of the city may be done out of the city; wbd the Poet Cffice printing bas heretoforo been con sivered to be at the disposal of the President. All the cther work bac to go by the Jaw to the printer of tae Houge or the Sepate while that distinction was made in ‘be Jaw ip relation to the Post Office printing. 1 do not kpow the reason for it. Q Has the Iresicent been tn the havit of dispensing this Post Cfee sseee? A. It ®as dove by contract un Vi1st56. libik then the contract expired, and it re verted totbe printer of Congrees. Judge Nicholson was oe printer and the editor of the organ, and it reverted tobm. Q. That was in 1856? A. I think it was in 1366. Q From 1856 who exercised the control over the giving outot the Post Office blank printing? A. The Presiden, and Postmaster General, through the Postmaster General* In December succe ia lp Buchauan’s coming into. power, be gave itto Mr. Rice for a time. Q. Did you sub-contract it from Mr. Rice? A. Yes, sir; that was ihe uncerstanaing that I should continue to ao the work a8 heretofore, and bave the control of it, Rice receiving, I tink, forty-three cents in the dolar. Q. Was there apy understancing when this work was given to Rice tbat apy newspaper was to be supported out of it? A. It was understood that it was for the sup. port of the Pennsylvontan; such was the understanding. Q. The underetanoig between whom? A. The under- or between the dent and the Postmaster General. Q. (By Mr. Hindman.) How did you know that? A From coprvereatious I held with them. I tosisted upon having more of the profits of the printing to supzort the Crom, a8 it was One ot those rather unprofitable pecunia- ry orgapa, spd Mr. Rice was very clamorous to have a share for the Penneylranton, and we finally settied on forty-three cents cn tbe coliar. T then made a cootracs with Mr. Crowell, who did the work for me for forty-tve cents or fifty cents on the dollar. He id ita portion of the time for forty -Dve cents and a portion of the time for Ony cents. I bad algo the executive pinding, which Rice thought ought to satiety me, bot the profits on that were HOt FO great, apd the expenses of the Usion being very \arge, ] tosisted that 1 should have all we profits of the poet cflice Loraeh pgs. 3 Tcould not keep it, however. Question by Chsirmen—You stated that $20,000 were to be allowed out of the profits of the execative printirg towarce sopporting the organ under General Bow- mun? A. When I parted with tt in March laet,I found what, paying Rice aud Severns,! could not sustain the Cricn {rom the profits of the executive work, aad I there. tore proposed to give it to sny party that might be desig- patec bi the President. Q Who did you make this proposition to? A. To the Precident, and to pay $10,(00 per annum was my firet_propoet:ien. Pending that proposition, Mr. Beker, the Collector of Philace!phia, came down to procure aid for the }, and finality Thad to accede to giv. ing $20,000 per annum, $10,000 per annum of which oe Baker obtained for the I have beea in. formed thet $10,000 of the $20 000 was for the nia, but my obligation is with Mr. Bowman for $20,000 ‘That obtig: existed, still exiete; and there hes been no action bad im re'ation to ft, oing to Mr. Bowman’s re- foxal to carry out bos part of the cogagement, which was that I should co the Senate printing in case he was elected primer to the Sen T paid Mr. Bowman $5,000in ad Onion, and tho Dalanoe I secured vence when be tock the Q. What did those orders emountto? A. If my me- =e, Teer m orders to tho amount of $8,- understood when you transferred the Union proceece bal 16 Dy you to ite: A Yen, tir, that was the unde retendiog pope Q. Was the Preeideut consulted in relation to it at aay time? A. [first addressed & pote to the President—to Jucge Nicbolsow, who was my friend Presioent, ene be took it vp ¢@ him, thet it was retber onerous to me to be obliged to support the Unum, apo what I deetred to do. I suggested that Mr. Mecconald, formerly a member of Copgrees from Maine, thovid take the peper, and become its editor. Hoe cempetent man, I supposed ; but im tbe course of two or three werks Powman’s Dawe was mentioned, and I assent. edto it. We met at tho Attorvey General’s offloe, ant Judge Biark drew up the betweea us, which com- owed in my copveying the Urion to bie. Q How much of organ per appum, ip \agment? A. If berves we, it cost me, when it was ‘Ment, $19,060 over end above its Q The coitors of the Union w Prevident wbilst you had the A. Yes, sr; whilet 1 was memory a copcern is this government your fa be E 3 § a Q Did you make them te Congrees of J. lar question was propouns which | reepeownuily 1 avewered reli pre bers. Question by the Chairman—What evggcst in the publicanon of the Congressional Globes, ae to Save money to the erpmenty A. My sole idea that the goverpment sha’) co ita own work. I kno’ 7 it cap be done, for 1 bave bad a0 much experience in the matter Q How much legs orld you publish the Gloter tor than ‘bey aze Low poblished by Mr. Rives? 1 would tske them’ for 833{ per cent lees, easy, and do the work a¢ Rives docs Bowman's work now. ‘But them wud all the other work, could be pul eastly for fity per cent lees than what they now cost. Q. Dio you contribute apy money, in 1668, in any of the Copgreesional dietricta of New York city? A. If my Memory serves me, [ Old ip every district. TESTIMONY OF THOMAS H. FORD. ‘Teemas H. Foro sworn, examines by Mr. Hindman. Q You are the Printer of the House by due election and quehficedos?! A. I beitevel am, ] bave the of Ws ¢ ection from the Clerk. Q. If you bave made any sub arrangement or partper- ebip, or drvieion of the profits of tbe proceeds of the print- ig durines# wit aay pereon or persons, state when apd bow, and ali tbe aetaila, as pearly as you can recoliect? A. Whe I was elected Privter I wens to Mr. Heart’s, the Supermtendent’s room, and directed the printing to bo dove wt the same place it was being done at Q By the Chay man—The Wendell establishment? A. ‘Yes, eit, I understood it waa the Wendell establishment; (bat ie, for the time being. 'Q You made that oraer between your first olection ard your reelection? A. Boto tiaws; at the time of my first election I bad never wet Mr Wendell, or Messrs. Larcom- be & Evgiich to my knowledge; between the time of my fret clection and my re elecvoa, I met Me. Larcombe, LO wes introcuces to me in the Superintendent's room; I bad po conversation with bim, or at least I o® not re. member any conversation I baa with bim; after my se- cond election, I entered into an arrangement with Messrs, Larcembe & Evgleb, I believe. Q. Was that agrecment m writing? A. It was. Q Could you furnish it to the committees? A. I could bot Q. Do you krow where it could be had? A. I do not, bot [thipk Mr. Dufreee bas it. Q Pieste state if Dufrees bas any interest in the pro. ceeds of the pripurg business whicb you were clected to do; if £0, the pature of it, apd to what extent? A. Weill, Mr. Dufrecs was to bave an interest; that is, f was to help bum. Durirg the time [ waa a candidate, there were a good many who baa been expecting office, paying their expenses, &c., until they got it, ard I said in very general terms, add Faia repeatedly, that I was a soldier, and when 1 won a dattic generally took care of Q@ Dia you tay that to Dutrees? A. Q You just made thet remark geverally to his friends, to himself, or to those who were secking the position? ‘Yeu, sir. 1 will goon to state all I know about conversation that I bed with bim, lat one that I would beip bim toa distinct amount—so much, not tm money, but 80 much. Q. That you woula belp him to a distinct amount? Yes, cir. Afterwards, owing to some other: that was varied. Now,Ido pot know whether per for me to tell this. It is for the committee to say. Mr. Eomer—I su] the gentleman does not wish to state what you ight ef doing, but what you to do. ‘Witneds—I bave no hesitancy at all in Selling you X § ws proper that I ebould coso It was suppored that I would be called upon to contribute something to the Era Q. How about the newspaper called the Republic? A. ‘Weil, [ bave mace no promises to the Republic, except the BF s E F . geperal ceclaration thet a!) may have heard and which I have once stated to you, * that I would take care of the wounded.” Q By Mr. Hindman. Is it understood that you are to contribute to any Dew! outside of the city of Washington? a. That is very for me to tell, for rome of thore persons I have to help may be the owners of papers. Idonot know whether they are or pet. ‘The Chairman. Js Dufrees a newspaper and Proprietor ecnor? A. He war; but his paper bas gone out of exis- tence. He used to be an editor, and at no very distant time; but bis paper expired sometime this winter, pro- bably when be came on to seck this office. It died for the want of support. Q By Mr. Rit¢man. Can you give us the names of avy other persons to whom you have made this pro- mise? A. I promised to take care of another man, a lit- Ue—I guess he bas no paper—Moran, of Philadelphia. Q. What paper is be connected with? A. He is not con- nected With avy, tbat [ know of. 1 have said nothing to bim efnce about any amount ] was to give him. . Q You told bim before your election that you would take care of bomy A. Abd since my election I have said to bim that I thought he would likely make as good a thing out of tt asT would. I agreed to take care of Pang: Dorn, cf Mesgacbusetts, and T believe he bas ® paper, the atias ond Bee. 1 believe be is one of the editors, repor- tere, or something. Q’ You sgrced to take care of him? A. Yes, sir. £Q Were there apy otber sufferere you promised to pro- vice for? A. 1 bave pamed Dufrees, Moran and Pangbora. | Well, 1 co not koow of any except a man by the name of | Wiltéo, who had becn bere all winter. J bad intended to help bim a litte, bome at least, if I ever got any money. | That I copticer entirely gratuitous. Q Were there any other persons you promised to take care ct? A. ico not think of apybooy; there was a maz by the name of Doermer, from indiana, I do not think I promised to take care of him, but if he had staid bere, I would. Q You have stated that you promised to take care of some persons Whose Dames you mentioned, among others ‘Dofreeg, and a gentleman connected with the Boston Atlas and Hie, do you mean to say that the meaning of your promise to teke care of them was simply to pay their Doarc bilisy A. I meant that answer more particularly for rome other cases to which J referred, after speaking of thore you bave alluced to. Q There were some persons then as to whom the ex- pressicn you would take care of them meant simply pay: wg their expenses bere apd home, but there were others 4s to whom the same expression meant @ division of the proceecs? A. Yes, sir; some sbare of the proceeds. Mr Bin¢man—I bow cesire to atk you were you ap- proached prior to the election by avy person or ns ‘With propositions relative tc @ oivision of the ; if'eo, by whom, what were the suggestions, the propositions mece, and were they accepted or not? ‘Witness—That queetion goes back before my election, and my view of the matter is that the committee have hotbing to co with me except as public printer. My view te that the committee bave nothing to do with me, exco; my acts as public priptr, which I will very freety di- vulge. Unters the commutvee decide that I shall go back, I decline to answer. Mr. Paimer—! really do not see what we have to do wih eny arrangement made with Mr. Ford previous to his election as printer Dy persons other than members of Copgress,or who have no connection with the govern- Ment Togo ictoe matter of this kind, it seems to me, would involve us in a long inquiry, not only useless, but enureiy irrelevant to the object of Lbis investigation. TESTIMONY OF JOHN D. DUFREES. Jobn D. Dutrees affirmed, examined by Mr. Clepton:— , Q@. Where do you reside’ A. At Indianapolis, Stave of Downs. Q. What is your oceupation? A. I am a printer. Q A practical printer? A. Tam. Q. Are you the same Mr. Dufrees who was a candidate be:ore the Bouse jor Publio Printer this session’ A. I am Q. State who doce the printing for the Houre at the pro- bent time; that is, who is the real printer? A, Messrs, Larcombe & Exgiish Q. Do you kpow the terms of the coutract under which they co that work? A. Ido. lb. State them. A. Idrew the contract and I have it ere. It w as followe:— 6 with the bueteres, aed in comsiferati ence oud kmowledgo, I Dave am Intareat 50 Gutse Torre to astiet him io superiatevaing and managing rae: A eee ‘pe otber jaterest, eg ead . Wha te the extent of your iptereat? A. Q Tas is upon the amount of the profits realized? A. ‘Yea, tr. wert tre thie agreement between Ferd . At wDat time was you entered to? “A. Alter be was elected: “acid @. Do you kuow whetbor Ford or now A.J elecuos. Q by Mr. Hindémas—Have you any knowledge of apy proporitions mede to a man named Dermer of your into, 1» connection with thie malier of the point. eisfy : i I i Hi yj 5 § i + i be i & f i g & ae = Hivdmas. Thet would be a matter to consider after- to the § Q. Was there any other proposition bave stateo mace by any member of Congr person to any member of Corgress yc soe’ consent and Kpowlecge? A Not to my knowledge; is kao Q Aba that waa race at the conterence which noal- pated you? A Yes, sir; nothing was sald atterwards that 1 know of. : Q. Ano before your nopination? Question by Mr. Bine copference wes held snd. bis election? A. Yes, alr; Was atter my Deme wes withdrawn. Question by Mr. Hindman—You state that that prepoal- tion was mace by you or for you previous to your nomi- Dation? A. Yee, sir. Q You were thereafter nominated by the republican cavcus or conference? A Yes. sir. Q ard were voted for m te House by the republican members? A. J was by all present but two men, who, Pretepeipg to be republicane, refused to vote for me. Q Who were they? A. Mr. adams was one, Q. Who was the other? A lar. Stanton: but he after- “question by Mr. Coptos Thea Me, stion by Mr. a Mr. Adams only one who did not vote for ieee egtion by the Chairman— Would you have boom elect- ed if Mr. Acams bad voted for you? A. Yes,sir. Mr. Adame, the svn of John Quincy Adams, in whose support 1 firet wrote against General Jackson, refused to vote for me, when on three ballots bis vote would have elected ms. The St. Louls Congressional Election— Letter from the Sitting Member. TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. In your paper of the 17th inet. there appeared the fol- lowing despatch, dated Washington, March 16 :— speech. He made a strong case, and uniess it can be re- Datted and expisined away, it wil! insare bins his seat. the a evidence that the and showed that they were fraudulent. This will bring up Mr. Bisir’s majority to nearly one thousand, which nis friends ciaim is lees than he received. The evidence is taid to be very interesting, apd shows a systematic Cf plotting and fraud never before practised in this try, except in bleeding Kansas. In the style of this despatch, and in the apparently in- tenticnal mieetatements, I thought | discovered the flage of Mr. Blair. So well was I satisfied that it was his preduo- tion, I called the attention of the committee to it, and in their presence asked Mr. Blair if he did not write that despatch. His answer was that he “furnished the data.” As the ings of the committee wore private, and n: reporter present, of course Mr. Blair furnished ail the dat d aa the deepatch seems to be in Mr. Blair's peca- Har styie, be must bave furniebed all the data in writing. I have no desire, Mr. Egitor, to forestall public of or to prejudice the mipo8 of those who are to invest'gate this case, All I ack is that the testimony should be looked gens my pats ae Wee ae of Congress will not bave an opportun! Fee jt ‘i Boe it Mr Blair bas. as sash Pans ce in bis case as he pretends, he accept ore of these propositions, and not interrupt the Dueipess of Congrees apy farther? Iam willing to select a jury of twelve republicans, in the district of St. Louis, and ley the case before them, and {f they ao ,not decide that Mr. Blair bas vo claim whatever to the seat, I will resign. But, again: you have ia your city a gentieman of bigh standing, lately a resident of St. Lous, who ran on the ticket with Mr. ir, in August, 1858, as of the a cepdicate for the Serate, and was a member {ret and wittetsed all ibe proceetiage. at the ciforens ict, and witne: all the at ai precincts on theday of election. If he will not say that I ‘was elected fairly, I will resign. J. R. BARRSI. Coromers’ Inquests. Fatar Rescit oy Tas Weer Sraxer Arrray.—William Hickey, one of the victims of the Greenwich street atab bing affray, died at the New York Hospital yesterday morning, from the effects of his injuries. Coroner Schir- mer held on inquest upon the body of deceased, when the following facts were elicited :—A party of ’lovg shoremen, among whom was deceased, and a man named Joha Ke- vip, entered ee Roe, store of Wiliem Dunoigas, cor- ner of West and Carlisle streets, on Friday evening, for tae purpose of having # drink. While in the store, two of | ‘the party procured a set of boxing gloves ana had a sot to, which finally resuited ip a rough and tumble fight. Dunnigan then joined in the fray, when a general row en- bral senate of Spey nas med Kevin were stabbed, as it ie atleged by the proprietor of the grocery. ‘The jury rendered a verdict of “ Death from pariteasi superindvced by a wound in the abdomen, iaflicted by a kpife in the bands of William Dunnigan. March 23, 1860." ‘Upon being examined the prisoner said that he infiictea the ‘wounds upon deceased and Kevin in eelf-defence,. they hav- ing assaulted him without provocation before he used the ‘weapon. Duppigan was corumitied to the Tombs to await the action of the Grand Jury, Deceased was twenty-five yeara of age and lived at No 243 Greenwich street. Ke- vin is in & precerious condition, and it is the a Dr. Hail, the physician in attendance, that he hardig recover from the effects of his injuries. A CmLy ACCIDENTALLY Pomonxn.—Henrietta Silvernall, achild about four years of age, living with her parents, at No. 65 Laurens street, was accidentally poisoned yes- terday, by swallowing a quantity of laudanum which bad Deen kept in the house for medicinal purposes. Coroner Jackman held an inquest upon the body of deceased, when the jury rendered a ver dict of acciiental death. Bursep To Deata.—Sarah Brown, a native of Nova Scotia, aged seventy-five years, lately residing at No. 189 Hester street, died on Sunday, from the effecta of burns accidentally received her clothes catching fire. Deceased, it ome | was bathing ber person with a mixture catupbor and alcohol, when @ portion of the liquid (elf upon the stove, and, blazing up, set her dress on fire. ‘The flemes were Foon extinguished, but not until deceased had been #0 severely burned that her recovery was pro- nounced hopeless, Coroner Schirmer held am inquest upon the booy of deceased. Fouxd Drowxsy.—Jobn Phalon,a native of Ireland, aged tfrenty-seven years, who has been misemg for seven weeks, was found drowned yeaterday at Ne. 18 North river. Coroner “Jackman held an cot apes the body of deceased, when the jury & verdict of «Supposed drownig.”” if Jeracy City News. Rarroap Acciwext at Janser Crev.—Mr. E. B. Lom. bard, the unfortunate man who was injured on Saturday night, was not run over at the Green street croasing. The Tacpags=