Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1853-05-04
GalpAinisnas.

We gave last week some devclopments made
by committee Ia the Senate in regard to Ger
tain corrupt and frapduleu. tran sactions of
the late federal administration We alluded
very briefly TO one case Of fraud and corrup.
tion in which Mr.. Corwia, the late Seere, ary
OF the Treasury. was an actveifnot an interrs
ted participant. ThaacEse is deserving of a
more particular cons iteration. "a it exposes
the true character cf TIE 2,en whom the fede
raj party placed in : 'wcs'se true character
of the men who controa sa.s party, and who
will ever manage the Government when HAT
party is in power, We copy from the Wash
ington Union the following account Of the mat
ter in question:
John McGiunis. a cless in the Treasury De.
partment during ,hc,sA administration wait
ed on Mr.. corwin. then Ne head Of f,ha, le
par.sssAs's'sa s.,s~. heea.2.. : =
erecting certain light houses on the Pacific fol
the sum Of 1876 000, realize accnsiderahle profit
At this interview nothing definite was arran
sed. Alta subsequent interview solicited by
Mr.. Corwin that. gentleman suggested tha,
McGinnis should associate with him one
Drlano, Of New York then in Washington
Although De'ano was a stranger to Nc Ginnis
this suggestion was acceded to; and then De
relative of Secretary Corwin, should be ad
mt,ed to an interest in the speculation Nc
Ginnis agreed to this proposition. aud after
considerable delay the contract was given 20
McGinnis. he having resigned his office The
first memorandum of the contract was agreed
on early in December. 1851. and after beng
altered several tmes.it was finally Concluded
and signed on the 2Sth Of that month. No Sc.
curty was given for its performance and Nc
Ginns proceeded, with the knowledge aud
consent of Mr., Secretary Corwin. to fluid some
one who would purchase the contract from him
and erect he light houseo--therc being no ex
pcctation that he was to do the work required
by the engagement with he government, which
was mere speculation from the begiguing.
In the face of these facts, MIR. Secretary Cor.
win. in his annual report to Congress. dated
December 26. 1851. stated to that body that
the insufficient appropriation had delayed and
ing the light houses on the Pacific
McGinnis encounl cred difficulties in dispos
ing of his contract; but he remained in the
market seeking purchaser until sometime in
April. 1852, when Mr. Secretary Corwin in
consequence Of the fears entertained blythe of
Call!ornians, that the light.hon.cs would not
be erected gave notice to him ha the abrosated
the contract. But soon after ,McGinnis succeedrd d
in finding purchaser, to whom he sold the
contrac, for "A bonus OF Sl5 600 These new
parties were accepted by the Treasury Depart.
ment, and their names were substituted for
that Of McGinnis in new contract The bo
nus Of $4,000 was paid to Delauo. the partner
introduced into the speculation by Secretary
Corwin, who paid over to McGinnis S. 900 as
his share rcserving $40 O,000 to divide with Rob
ert G. Cnrwin, McGinnis it j. proper to state.
does not know whether Robert G. Corwin has
ever received from Delano any portion of The
proceeds of the speculation: and r q Cor
win iied an affidavit with the Committee deny
ing that he had anything to do with the trans.
action. After the sale of the original contract
the new parties desired some mod firation Of
it. and paid Deiano $500 to obtain it for them
The modification was made, and it's value to
the contractors was estimated at S. 800
1t is needless to comment on this transac
ton. for even the most careless reader cannot
fail to understand its true character An off
Ger OF the government, by a~sociatng with him
a friend OF the late Secretary Of the Treasury,
Mt the instance of that officer, was permitted
obtain government contract, by private ar.
rangem"mt, which hr Wa not expected to OK.
ccute, but to trade on ia the market for his own
profit. while important interests recognized by
Congress were neglected aud endangered -
This tells the whole story, and makes out as
clear case of corruption and wrong as can
well be presented. And these facts are fully
sustained by McGinnss own testimony, W O.
having accomplished his purposes laid bare
The whole fraudulent operation when he was
brought before the committee of invest ga;ion
and forced to ties ify N II Patriot.