Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-08-03
Hon. SECRETARY of the Navy.
IMPORTANT PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.


We have lying before us, public document entitled
"a letter from the Secretary of the Navy transmitting
the information required by resolution of the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES of the 4h Feb last respecting the pay
emouments and allowances TO officers and agents in the
naval service of the United States" Nay %, 1880
We have read this document with much attention, and
astonishcd at of the disclosures Little
expected in favor OF the late administration from inqu
tries into the state of the departments scarcely
pected such detail of open violation OF the laws.
Every day is developing and the wisdom
and justice Of the decision OF the people, in removing
from power, the last corrupt administration. Indepen
IDENTIFY of the thousand offences which they had COM
med against the people, nperously requiring change,
there of which the traits & proofs daily
eumuatng which is singy sufficient TO uphold the late
opposition and the present administration in all their la
bours for REFoRM, and the whole people of this
try, in just indignation against all the members oil an adj
mnisration which permitted such transactions and
wardcd the actors, the charge of profuse, dis
ordered corrupt practices in discussing the public
sey. The public 10 already in possession of number
of instances, in which, by cupable negligence OF du
~ by the heads Of departments, large sums have been
lost 10 the nation and they know that the defaults of
~ thirteen individuals aceruing through several years.
and cupabIy overlooked which have been detected and
exposed during this administration, anod. TO nearly
THREE HUNDrED THOUSAND dollars.
The document now before us from one of the depart
mens shows the interior management OF the public Of
sccs the mode therein pracsed of rewardng avortes,
no only without law, but against law, and of increasing
their emouments by arbitrary allowances, dangerous TO
the public interest and contrary the panes dictates
y; the convenient way in which public officers increas-
ed the emOuments Of contractors pushed them through,
In spite OF the repeated reflections of Congress, and f.
nally sharing in the profits in fine, the variety Of conti-
vances by which, uoder the late administration, the
Treasury plundered, and wasted These are harsh
terms-but they borne out 10 their fullest extent
by the official statement Of this document drawn frors
the books Of the department, and justified by the plain
letter of the laws, which is demonstrated 70 have sheen
culpably neglected, aud wanonly nirnged
| IL is full time for Mr.. Soulhsrd 10 make some expla-
nation Of his share in these ransactionsThe allowance
to Mr.. Binney Of $50 900 out Of the Treasury, tive
years after he had been out Of Office and reported
defaulter, requires explanation, and the public
will expect IL. There matters in the presen
papers, which will increase the public soicudc TO Learn
how Mr.. Secretary Souhsrd explain his share in the
transactions.
That there may be no mistake in THE matter and hs
the public may learn how just the cry OF prOscrip
fion raised upon the removal Of sundfy persons
toned In the report shall hasten 10 iayi before on
readers early possible, and in such convenien
portions az the stale Of our columns will permit.
II there other reform produced by the cleo
ton OF Gen. Jickson, the reform in The Navy Depsr
ment j. wof Ia al Tie foil OF the three years struggle
The people never permit The petsons concerned
tho matters 10 return TO the places which they hav
once 20 In fIieienny and uhworthny filed. Ball RI