Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1845-02-17
WASHINGTON NEWS.
WAsHINsroN, Jan. 81, 1874


ton correspondence of the Morning News
It will give our readers fair idea of the
character of one of the most CORRUPT, dis
graceful, and degrading administrations, that
chance, fate, and the Wings, ever fastened
upon an honorable people.
Probably the resolution of most mmed-
ate interest as Development Of some Of
the corruptions in our government, Of which
rur,or has lately told some astounding tales,
was one offered by Mr.. Burke, Of New
Hampshire, which instructed the committee
on the expenditures Of the Navy Depart
ment to inquire whether James G. Zabris-
HE, Of New Jersey, bad obtained contract
from the Navy Department since ls4l,
and whether any officer Of the government,
had any participation in the profit, and
what order had been given by the Secretary
Of the Navy ir relation thereto The re-
solution also gave the committee power to
send for persons and papers.
The rumors TO which aIIuson is made
above, and which it is said are TO be given
to the public IN n mole substantial form,
affect persons in stations perhaps the high
est that Can he attained in this Republic !;
and more especially near relatives and
friends, who are accused Of trading off
contracts under the government, and like
wise appointments to office on the receipt
Of bonus in proportion to the value Of the
place bestowed
Mr.. James G.. Zabriskie has been widely
known for jealous exeriions on the stump,
IN originating public meetings, and in
other ways creating public opinion for
President Tyler. Mr.. Zabriskie's patrio-
tism was so intense that it consumed his
private means, at least it is said that he so
represented the matter to Mr.. Tyler him
self, ard as reward for the sacrifices he
had made for the President, that function
airy promised him contract for the supply
of live oak for the Navy. Not that Mr..
Zabriskie would supply the government,
but the bonus for the contrac, was to be
transferred TO Mr.. Zabriskie's pocket from
a contractor who was here ready 10 take
the contract. Some one has said, "every
man has his price," Possibly Mr.. Zabrs-
kie's was $4,000 for the revelations made
to-day in the House Of Representatives
would lead to the conclusion that that was
the amount promised him by the contractor
for the contract.
But alas, ''the best laid schemes Of mice
and men oft gang awry," as Mr.. Zabriskie
found to his chagrin, for when the treaty
was concluded the contractor receded from
the bargain, and refused 10 give more than
$4,000. Mr.. Zabriskie became indignant
and clustered, but while he was exhaus:ns
his wrath, Mr.. B. M. Voorhis, chief cle:sS
in the bureau Of construction and repairs,
stole march on him, for Inc clerk trans
ter:1d the contract as stipulated (possibly
in Consideration Of The balance Of the $1O,-
0O0} and received the $4,000 which the
contractor had promised Mr.. Zabriskic.-
And once possessed Of the bonus Mr.. Voor-
his claimed to share it. Here was fur
Their difficulty in which Mr.. Zabriskie as
placed. Mr.. Voorhis is:egarded Mr.. Ia
briskie's anger, being probably secure in
the conviction that no publication Of the
circumstance would be ventured upon by
Mr.. Zabriskie, inasmuch as like the loss
Of Trinculaus' bottle in the horse pond, it
would be accompanied by "disgrace and
dishonor but an infinite loss" In short
Mr.. Zabriskie agreed 10 take the half, and
thus his $4,000 had dwindled down to
1000; but other toll had to be taken from
the grist thus come to the mill, for Mr..
Scott the Navy agent for some reason or
other was entitled to and received $1,000.
These are the circumstances as they
were reported to the House. in communi-
cation signed by Mr.. Eugene Mcdonnell
Of this place. If they are true. and it now
becomes the duty Of Mr.. Zabriskie, and
others who are involved, TO disprove them
if they are unfounded; they show system
Of corruption TO be fastened upon the gov
eminent which may endanger its existence.
Every bonus given for contract or an
Office is fraud on the people, for whom
the government is, or should, be admins
tered. The contract in question was evil
IDENTIFY given by the authorities al $4,000
less than its worth, is enable the contractor
TO purchase at that price, "the mos, swee,
voices" efany sycophant around the throne;
and thus the people are robbed Of $4,000
to reward instruments who seek to crafty
the ambitious aspirations Of men in power.
But there is another circumstance which
may possibly faint the honor Of the Execu-
tive, if not disproved; il is that the contract
was given by the President contrary 10
law.
Mr.. Parmenter said the present Secretary
Of the Navy had discovered this, and re-
fused to receive the live oak from the con-
tractor TO whom the contract had been
transferred, and as consequences the con-
tractor has discovered to his cost, with Mr..
Zabriskie, the solemn truth, tha,--'empty
as musty flberts are all earthly expec,a-
tons"
The circumstances which are here set
forth, without any expression Of opinion
either as to their truth or groandlessness,
have been made the subject Of inquiry by
a committee of the House Of Representa-
tives, and are therefore thus recorded Blu,
every good citizen and lover Of his eoun-
try's honor must desire TO see some salts
factory explanation Of that which, uncon
tradcted, il of least attended with suspicion.
Mr.. Pratt, Of New York, this day pre-
senied memorial, which suggests project
which is bold and magnificent in concep, ION,
thotsph perfraD ms fhe critical mioht contend