The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-25

~. a
clerk, ! suppose; there was some gen,lemaa there
they called "Doctor;' but never Mr. San ers
O. who fixes the wages of the workmen in the navy
yards A. II supposed 10 DO regulated by the wages
outside, in the private yards
O. Is the precise rate given TO each workman fixed
by the master OF the workmenY A l suppose is; be
says for instance, this man worth So 30 day, that one
81 on but think prices always than
are paid outside; could get pre- prices
outside II the private yards aud asked for 1t
they would send word back that was none oil our bus
ness, ia some cases.
O. 10 you know of any cases wherethesc workmen
paid for being employed? A. have heard Of II re
peatedly; have had tell So Of the Irish
aborers who wanted work in the yard that they wou
have give twenty cents day, much week, out
Of their pay 10 get place, but when would try to get
them to put 1t down black white they would back
out OF it, aud say that they would not be able 10 get n
ploymeDt If they ala SO.
q. How often we're these complaints madeS A. Very
often; do not know how often.
@ Had you ever any complaints brought before you
that the master painter took the paints Of Uaed States
government, and used them the pur pose painting
the buildings OF private ciuzensY A No. 10 my know
edge will say THIS however, when this master painter
who there, to be examined before the board,
| asked him If he knew what the duty OF master
workman in the yard he said /, to set good exam.
pie to the and keep them At their duty, 'fnrther,
said he "Captan Rootes there not three men in
he yard now who do the duty OF one,' allud-
ng, | suppose, To the painters; ! said to him
'that ia the opinion of more than yourself, and
glad 10 hear say what you do; hope when you
come in here you will set them good example, YET
wbin two three weeks after that my attention
drawn by some person saying that this master
workman receiving gold watch from the in his
mp!oy; the master blacksmith also received two
osy presents and of the other master worSmen
eived diamond breastpn so heard; often said 10
parties that afraid that they were receiving these
gold watches and diamond breastpns for good; but
the men complained TO about it; suppose that
out Of gang of men some 100 or $50 were 10 be dis
charged from the yard Of the in the gang get
up subscription for gold watch something of that
kind for tho master workman and those who did put
their names down on the subscription to 60 out
from what could hear.
q. Was understanding in the navy yard thai
these master workmen received gratute from their men,
fayoI6 from them? A That my impression; but
could not get at te proof exactly II could have got il,
would have been my bounden duty to have reported
the department; 20 be candid with the commIttee,
thought these rumors true and after the proof
Vi the matter was necessary for one in my situation to
be prepared with proof TO subsantate these charges
were 10 make them.
q. How general the custom of presenting these
master workmen with watches and presents this kind?
A. From what heard was Of the opinion that it was
general thing; trying to get proof OF that mat
ter, but the parties would back out ; they would
write letters 10 and sign their to
them and then when called them up they would deny
their Signatures IN some cases when men came to me in
the yard to obtain employ would tell them that
had power the matter but that they would have TO
80 to the master workmcn; they would say that they
could not do that they would be obliged Jay twenty
cents day out Of their wages to get employment In
ference to Mr. Turner would say that at line he got
leave OF absence to go to Washington In the Of
conversation think on that same day that Mr. Turner
left, Mr. Graham said, that the master paint
had received subscription OF 800 from his
workmen to on to Washington to get their raised
4
return Mr. Graham, one, led to suppose that
| he made u handsome sum in that way.
Q. Do you know that Mr. Turner took with him large
number OF his workmen over into Queens county, Mr.
Searngs district, for the purpose of attending
there he applied 10 Inc, think just before the election,
while the commandment of the yard there for weeks
leave, or for some few days leave
O. You said something in your testimony about making
open purchases; do you know of any persons who fur
nshed articles to the navy yard purchase besides
Messre. Secor Cor A. When the navy agent could not
get them from Secor Co., suppose he got them from
other parties my impression s that they furnished
the greater portion Of the articles which were got upon
open purchase.
O. Can you anywhere near the amount that they
furnished? A. have no idea; should not like to say,
only il pretty argesum
O. Who is this MIR. Secor9 is he engaged any general
business? never was in his establishment in my life;
think have heard that he was hardware merchant;
but the committee will call for my letter in
letter from the Navy Department. in relation to the
from that letter all they want upon this Subject suppose
referred then to number OF articles which ranged from
| 20 to $50 per cent above market prices.
| Q. What applications made to you If any, by
members Of Congress in relation TO appointing men in the
yard9 A. have received applications u number Of
from members of Congress 10 put in the
| yard but j never put in until there was nc
| cessty for him.
O. In favor of whom was the application made 10 You
A. There but departments 10 the yard the rig
GERS department and the sailmaker's department. in
which the commandment OF the yard had perfect right to
put man; at the head Of those departments
rant officers, and went the ground that while
there they had right to put in there; put in
/ VI
gress and two for Mr. Kelly member Of Con
gress when thought was necessary TO do members
Of Congress would ask to let 60 into my depart
ment and would say them there the articles and
regulations, and We have to 30 by them and cannot 90
| beyond them
| q. How many men who were in the yard in the fal
| Of 1858 were appointed by master workmen? O. may
say that ninety out Of every hundred appointed
| then were appointed by master workmen.
O. Then, If there were 1900 in the yard 200 and
would have been appointed by the master workmenf
A. Yes sir the greater portion would be by them all
Inv haxya
some where wanted messenger we had 10 ask
the master laborer TO appoint them; even we took po
ceman in The yard the master aborer had TO make out
requisitioD for him.
Q. How many men would be appointed by the COM
| mandantS A. Very few.
q. 10 you know anything about any correspondence
between members of Congress and the Secretary of the
Navy about the division Of the master workmen among
the representatives of Congress from that regon A. lido
not think anything of that kind put file in the
New York Office while was there, but was repeatedly
told by different masters in the yard that such the
fact know nothing Of the sort from thing that in
the Office; Mr. Graham, think, told me several times that
| such was the
| gineer.
@ Was Il generally known among the officers Of the
yard? A. The master worxmen would not hesitate 10 tell
So never saw any Of this correspondence; Mr. Ora
ham told me was and Mr. Murphy, one Of the master
workmen, told me that was he told me 80 the first
| or second day after he came into the yard
O. You stated that il the general understanding that
these master workmen received presents from their men
does come 70 your knowledge that any complaints Of
that Character were made to the secretary oil the
| Navy? A. No, sir.
O Do you know tina, any complaints were ever made to
the Bureau OF Yards and DocksY A Some were made
from me- was trying 10 get evidence in regard to that
when was detached; If could have got the evidence
| should have made report to the department
q. You stated that you were democrat in politics:
what political end could have been accomplished by de-
aching you from that yard at that timer A. None that
know OF; have been democrat all my life, but never
| allowed my politics TO interfere with my duty.
Could not political object have been accomplished
IN this way by having turned out thus giving an OPP
ortunty for some 500 900 ~ be appointed during
your absence ana before your arrvcd2 This
supposng you were the commandment Of the yard, trying
opeyent the coming of any unnecessary menY A. Ano
ther officer taking my place iaght be Of different opinion
from me In regard to that matter. But Commodore
hearney was still on duty so heard, untl Commodore
Breese relieved him. which think was the Monday
before the New York State elections.
| MIsApTRofEATIoy GOVERNMENT PROPERTY.
u State any circumstances brought 10 your knowledge
in which the property of the government was taken for
other uses than that of the pnbc service. A. short time
after joined the New York yard received an anony nous
letter-on one Sunday night, Think probably between
ihe hours OF ten and twelve O'Clock; in that anonymous