The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-03-27


reau OF Docks and Yards, the proper tribunal TO de-
eide the question.
Mr.. BADGER. am very well aware that the hon
orable senator from Pennsylvania Mr.. BRoDHEADl did
not express his opinion directly about the docks But he
tells us over and again that the opinion OF the de-
partment was against this kind OF dock and then he
says he is for leaving the question OF choice TO the de-
partment suppose then, that they will 90 for their old
plan OF stone docks That what meant TO say did not
mean 10 say that the senator had expressed his opinion
but that he in favor OF leaving the question 10 the
department, with the information that they would go for
the old docks As said before, these remarks do
not strike as being german to the question under
consideration Now il may be true that Messrs. Dakn,
Moody and the other partners had the angry controversy
with each other of which the senator speaks and each
ponent and as much good to himself possible Sup
pose it was so, what OF il? Suppose want public
structure erected. and supposethese do il for us
upon better terms than anybody else and suppose that
they the only who have the right to contract to
do II: shall we, because they had formerly angry
controversy between themselves refuse 10 make
tract with them For what purpose To punish them
by declining TO avail ourselves OF the opportunity 10 do
good to the government and the people by their means
Why sir, assuredly not 1t is matter OF small moment
10 this question what disputes they may have had with
each other, whether they have agreed 10 build wooden
piers for $4,000, il they had agreed to build
stone piers for that sum Now, whatever may be the
value OF the works that they have contracted TO construct
this is demonstrated if we place any reliance upon
the bureau OF the naval department, to which the
tor from Pennsylyani Mr. BRoDHEAD] has alluded, and
TO which he wishes this question referred: they have
thoroughly examined this matter; they have examined
these structures they have examined the subject OF the
price TO be given for building, them, at which these
structures proposed TO be taken, and for which the
Secretary OF the Navy had contracted, according TO his
letter, at lower price than the lowest fair price, without
margin for profits that had been estimated by these
officers Therefore, there be question for us now
about that matter.
Again. the honorable senator from Pennsy vana speaks
in his first remarks upon this subject, which did not
hear. of what confess was panied to read about this
fourh-estate contractors" Now, am in the habit of
thinking that an mpnaiion OF that kinda sneer upon
whole body or class OF mens very apt TO be unjust
and unwise Suppose that we were TO undertake TO dis
charge all the contractors of the United States and do all
our business for ourselves does the honorable senator
think that would gain anything in credit or money by
carrying all the mails for ourselves! Surely not. And,
after all, while there have been many men in that class
who dishonest lido not know that that class OF men
stands out singular and unexamped spectacle in that
respect Solomon told us long ago that ''sn stlcketh
close between buying and selling" and very dslin
gushed writer in England thought that there was some
thing about the profession to which belong that was
calculated while made the head clear and astute, TO
harden and obscure the moral perceptions of the heart
But there any human employment that has not its Pc
culiar temptations to eyil2 You will find your good
and bad men among all classes And pemtme 10 say that
after ALL this government has derived much benefit
upon the whole, fQN contractors its departments as
from another source. admit that very injurious
tracts have been made But the very worst system Of
contracts that the government sanctioned as far as
have observed, that system Of putting out the con-
gressona printing TO the lowest bidder say that for
the especial benefit OF my friend from Connecticut Mr.
SMTHl (Laughterl
/
| Mr.. BADGER. Nor do think contractors have any
right TO get money mpropery-none at all They have
moral right TO ask than what is fair and reason
able, and just and proper and if they have done SO my
system of ethics would condemn them hold that they
have right demand What is improper 10 begven
to them than we have to grant it, In this case there is
evidence OF such demand. II has been proved as
far such subject is capable OF proof, that the agree
ment entered nto is binding upon the honor and faith
the aa 6s ays s8 use
Of Representatives. II is proved that If the contract has
not been made, it ought to be made; that this es,ab
shmen necessary for the government and IN no other
way that establishment be got upon the terms,
and in the same perfect condition as by this, for as small
an outlay OF money
do hope that in considering this subject the Senate
will lay aside great many OF the suggestions and re-
marks made by the honorable senator from Pennsy
Mr. BRoDHEAD] in this debate, which evidently sprung
out of excited state OF mind upon this subject growing
up, must say because the honorable chairman OF the
Committee on Naval Affairs Mr. GwINl was perhaps
not quite courteous he ought TO have been, and
most certainly should have beenl say that for my
selfif the duties of chairman OF that committee had
devoved upon But, laying that aside hope that we
will consider this business transaction, and will not
be guilty OF the folly in the first place, Of sacrificing the
honor OF the government by epudiang contract made
by the government through It's agents. by which we are
not only to make money, when we have not even
the poor pifu apology OF pecuniay interest," but when
unless TO give up the Pacific coast entirely and
fuse any of those facilities, we must lose great deal OF
money by it, The whole question stands upon this point
Shalwe have stone pier that will cost at the least calcu
alion 5000 600 in California, shall we have basin
and railway, including all the advantages oil The per,
and many besides, for the OF $40 900! That
is the question or the other we must have IL Is
no longer question about dy-dock. The contract
for that is made and il is in process OF being erected;
and when it put there ought TO be put there In such
manner will make il most beneficial 10 the govern
ment According TO the argument on the other side,
is only matter OF The saving to this government be-
tween pier for 100000 and basin and railway Tor
$40 900.
was extremely sorry at the last session 10 see, in the
last hour OF the session. amendment which could not
been erstOOd made The House oil Representa-
tves to the appropriation bill and passed, which was in
effect repudatng the honor OF this government, and sui
lying the fair faith OF the country 1t is not now too
late to reinstae ourselves where stood, and, while
consulting the benefit OF the country, at the time
save ourselves from fraud That act done in the
few hours Of the close OF the session. in haste and con-
FUSION with time for debate and investigation, but for
which can be excused, provided we now remedy the
evil, when see the mistake Dto,which we were then
betrayed
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Before the senator from North
Carolina [Mr BADoER1 takes his seat, should like 10
obtain some information from him. lie speaks OF a con-
having been prepared 10 be executed by the depart
rnent, but which not completed. Now, wish the
senator 10 inform of the law under which the con-
the government enter into this contract and what this
law was. ! should like TO know what the law was at
the time this contract was entered into.
Mr. BADGER. This ~ the law. in the approprla-
ton bill Of September, $780, is this clause
'For commencing the construction of the floating dry
dock the Of California, 100000.
1.-THE Secretary of the Navy is authorized 10 enter into
for the construction, with all reasonable despatch
Of sectional Floating dry doc pbasn, and rail
way such hsrbor upon the OF the Pacific
may select Of capacity and dimensions ia respect
inferior 10 the dydock In progress OF construction at Pen.