The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-18

We publish to-day the debate in the Senate of the 18th
instant. relative TO the frauds connected with the Capitol
enlargement Our readers will find by looking over the
debate that all have said on the subject is fully sus
tanned The deficiency bill brought these frauds before
the Senate That bill appropaies the sum OF
10 meet deficiencies in tbs fund provided for the enlarge
menl although appears that when the last appropriation
of half million was made. il was intended that no de-
fciency should be permitted occur for believed
that the expenditure was limited strictly 10 the sum APP
propraled. deficiency Of four hundred thousand in
expenditure limited five hundred thousand dolars-an
increase Of four fths estimaiess Characteristic
achievement of wing administration. Whether il springs
from ineticiency corruption, or boh the effect
the treasury is the same.
We have already mentioned that great mproprees had
been committed with regard to letting the contracts, and
large had been lost 10 the government by improper
measurement BY reference 10 Mr. Borlands remarks il
will be that very large have been wronguly
taken from the treasury by cunning continuance with
regard the size OF the marble blocks TO be furnished
by the contractors The gives sixty five cents
cubic foot for blocks containing less than thirty cubic
feet and one dollar and ninetyeght cents foot for
blocks containing thirty cubic feet more. Large guam
titles of marble have been delivered in blocks contain
ing than thrtyeubc feet a, dollar and ninety EIGHT
cents foot and then into smaller blocks at the
pense of the government, when the value Of those
smaller blocks as measured by the contract only
sxty-fve cents foot By this means il has been est-
mated that the government has been made TO lose sixty
five thousand dollars
Mr. Borland corrects the impression that the Senaies
investigating committee sat like secret inquisltion, with
oui giving 10 parties accused notice OF the accusations
gainst Them opportunity for explanation or de-
fence We have mentioned before that the supern-
tendent who was appointed special favorlte OF Mr..
Fillmore is the person charged the actor in those
cases of embezzlement. which carried out by
payments to Iaborers for longer periods than they
employed, and by giving them high wages on condi-
ton that they would divide with him. 1t seems from
the debate that the architect informed of the cbarac
Of this worthy superintendent, and of the frauds which
being peperated Why did he not expose the SUI
pernlendent! He may have made such exposure and
the President may have protected his avore II So the
fact ought to be known for the architect should not be
protected by power too strong for him. AS the matter
stands now, the reputation of the architect suffer
from the extensive depredations OF subordinate under
his eye Not TO have detected such extensive embezze-
ment would be reproach 10 bis professional ability but
being informed of that embezzement, no, have attempt
ed TO put stop to it would deep stain his char
acteras man. We trust that the whole matter may be
thoroughly siled that the guilty may be punished the
nocent acquitted and the country enabled 10 appreciate
the beauties Of wbig purity and patriotsmthe high
ay of the opponents of all the talents and all The de-
cency