Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-04-13
From the Washington Union.
The Committee on Frauds---The
Light House Contract.

| Light House Contract.
| When we stated that the Senate's
committee to investigate cases of alleged
frauds had made its report, we mention
ed that a contract for certain light-hou-
SEES on the Pacitc coast, furnished one of
the cases, which has been examined, and
we made at the same time brief allusion
to its character. We will now speak of
it more particularly.
| John McGlnnis, a clerk in the Treasu-
ry Department, during the last admins
tration, waited on MIR. Corwin. then the
head OF that department, and stated to
him that he could, by erecting certain
lighthouses on the Pacific, for the sum of
$l39. 900, realize considerable profit.
AT this interview nothing definite was ar
ranged. AT a subsequent interview, So
licited by MIR. Corwln. that gentleman
suggested that McGinnis should associate
with him. one Delano, of New Y ork, then
in Washington. Although Delano was a
stranger To McGinnis, this suggestion
was acceded to-; and then Delano propo-
sed that Robert e, Corwin, near rela-
tive of Secretary Corwin, should be adj
mltted TO an interest in the speculation
McGtnnls agreed To this proposition, and
after considerable delay the contract was
given to McGinniS, he having resigned his
office. The first memorandum OF the con-
tract was agreed on early in December.
1851. and after being altered several
times, it was finally concluded and signed
on the 29th of that month. No security
was given for its performance. and Nc
GInuIs proceeded with the knowledge and
consent of Mr.. Secretary Corwin, to find
some one who would purchase the cou
tract from him and erect the lighthouses.
there being no expectation that he was to
do the work required by the engagement
with the government, which was mere
speculation from the beginning.
In the lace Of these facts, MIR. Secretary
Corwin. in his annual report to Congress,
dated December 26, 1851, Stated to that
body that the insufficient appropriation
had delayed, and would probably prevent
amy contract for erecting the light
ON the Pacific.
McGinnis encountered difficulties in dis
posing of his contract; but he remained in
the market seeking purchaser until
some time in April, 1852. when Mr.. Sec
Rotary Corwn, i'll consequence of the fears
entertained by the people of California,
that the lighthouses would not be cree
ted, gave notice to him that he abrogated
the contract. But, soon after, McGInnis
he sold his contract for a bonus of SIS
600. These new parties were accepted
by the Treasury Department, and their
names substituted tor that of McGinnis
in new contract. The bonus $4,000
was paid to Delano. the partner introdu-
ced into the speculation by Secretary Cor
win. who paid over to McGinnis $4,000
as his share, reserving $4,000 TO divide
with Robert G.. Corwin. McGinniS, it is |
proper TO state, does not know whether
Robert G. Corwin has ever received from
Del mo amy portion OF the proceeds OF the
speculation and Robert G. Corwln tiled
AN affidavit with the committee denying
that he had anything to do with the trans
action. After the sale of the original con-
tract, the new parties desired some modi- |
LEGATION OF it, aud paid Delano $500 to
obtain IL for them. The modification was
male, and its value to the contractors was
at 81, $40.
1t is needless to comment on this trans |
action, for even the most careless reader
cannot fail to understand its true charac-
ter. An officer OF the government, by as
sociating with him friend of the late
Secretary of the Treasury, at the instance
of that officer, was permitted to obtain
government contract. by private arrange
ment. which he was not expected to exc
cute, but to trade on in the market for his
own profit. while important interests re-
cugnized by Congress were neglected and
endangered. This tells the whole story,
and makes out as clear case of corrup-
ton and wrong as can well be presented.
And these facts are fully sustained by
McGinnis's own testimony. who. having
accomplished his purposes, laid bare the
whole fraudulent operation when he was
brought before the committee of investi-
CATION and forced to testify.