Litchfield enquirer., 1859-03-03

| the early part of the present session of Congress on Naval Contracts and Expenditures. Two members l of that committee -Messrs. Sherman and Ritchie- have made Report containing many serious charges against the head of the Navy Department in the al- lotment of contracts Sc. The Report occupies over ten columns of the city papers. and concludes with the following resolutions
 l Resolred, That the Secretary of the Navy has with the sanction of the President abused his dscretin ary power in the selection of coal agent and in the purchase of fuel for the Government l Resolred That the contract made by the Secretary of the Navy, under the date of September g. 1858 with w c. N. Swift for the delivery of ye-oak tim Der, was made in violation of law and in a manner unusual, improper and injurious to the public ser vice.
 Resolred, That the distribution by the Secretary of the Navy of the patronage of the navy yard among members of Congress. was destructive of discpine corrupting in it's influence, and highly injurious to | the public service.
 | Resolued That the President and Secretary of the Navy, by receiving and considering the party lea- tons of bidders for contracts with the United States and the effect of awarding contracts upon pending elections have set an example dangerous to the pub lie safety and deserving the reproof of this House. Resolred, That the appointments by the Secretary of the Navy of Daniel B. Martin Chief Engineer as a member of the Board of Engineers to report upon proposals for constructing machinery for the United
  interested in some of said proposals-is hereby cen sired by this House.
 The first resolution refers to the appointment of coal agent at Philadelphia, where coal is purcha- sed for the naval service. A physician, who knew nothing about the coal business and who paid no personal attention to it except to sign false cert cates, was appointed, and required to divide the emoluments of the office with two other political friends of the President
 The second resolution refers to contracts for live oak timber made with Mir. Swift, who had no f.- cilties for supplying it, and who agreed to pay f,- vorite of the Administrati ten per cent commis- sion for putting him friendly terms with the De- partment
 One of the most fragrant violations of law and of propriety disclosed before the committee by the enquiry into the contracts for the machinery of the steam sloops of directed to be built by the Act of June 1858 On the 26th of July, sealed proposals were invited by the Secretary of the Navy for the machinery of these vessels. Bids were accordingly sent in by most of the leading marine engine buld- CTS of the United States For the large sloop at Philadelphia there seven bids the lowest being from the Novelty Iron Works of New York, offering l to do the work for S9S0O0. Merriek Sons of Phi ladelphia offered to do it for slO2 OOO Before the Secretary had passed upon any of the bids, Col WIG Patterson of Philadelphia wrote to MT. Buchanan the following letter
 PHILADELPHIA, Sept. IS. 1853 LEAR SIR venture to suggest to you the mpor- tance of awarding the contract for the machinery ot the sloop, now building at the Navy Yard at this tme and, II 1t can be done without prejudice to the public service, to Merrick & Sons Theirs is the only establishment in the First District which employs a large number of mechanics-at this time 800 when in full work. 450
 The managing partners (M. ST., being alent in bad heath are full of energy straininc every nerve t. keep their force during this depresson and in so far as know the only old Wings of any influence in that District who in favor of the reelection of Col. Florence.
 | know, from former experience the value of that influence and feel persuaded that it is the interest Of the Democratic party to increase it. The First District will, hope, be carried in any event, but with that shop at work full-handed, two weeks prior to the election theresult would think Ds placed beyond all doubt. With much respect, W. c. PATTERSON The President sent this precious document 10 the Secretary of the Navy with the following endorse ment
 ladelpha, is submitted to the attention of the Secre | tary of the Navy J.B'' Mir. Shermans Report puts this transaction in its true light:
 Ut is the duty of the Secretary to determine which of the bidders was the "lowest responsible bidder, and to award to him the contract It is judicial act. The rights of tEe parties under the law. and the rights of the Government were invol- we'd in the award. Any suggestion of fact or mo- tive, except these which would enable the Secretary to adjudge which of the competing bidders was the lowest responsible one, was improper. The Sccre- tary was the subordinate of the President holding office at his pleasure naturally controlled iy his will and by law he is frequently required to award and adjudge without regard to the President. Un- der these circumstances, the President suggested to the Secretary and in writing called his attention to the importance of awarding of the contracts for machinery to Merrick x Sons, in order to secure the potent political influence of that firm in favor of the reelection of Col. Florence and thus place the result of the election in his district beyond doubt and generally to increase the influence of that firm that 1t might be exercised in favor of the Democrat ic party
 'If the President had suggested to Judge of the United States Courts tlat he render juGg- ment in favor of one of the parties litigant in a cause pending before him, because that judgment would aid in the election of a party favorite, or would contribute to the success of the Democratic party, the general voice of the people would de- mand his impeachment. Is it a less serious offence when this suggestion is made by the President to the Secretary of the Navy? The Judge is beyond the power of the President; the Secretary is within his power. Each is required to perform judicial functions. The suggestion by the President of cor rupt motives to either is equally dangerous, and is more likely to succeed with an officer whose tenure of office is the will of the President The terms of the note of the President could not be misunderstood by subordinate No one can read the letter and note without conviction that the inducement in the letter was regarded by the President as proper one to be submitted and to re quire the attention of the Secretary Thus indorsed the corrupt motive suggested would decide the a. ward without regard to cost, unless the Secretary evlnced higher sense of public duty than his supe
 It is needless to add that Merrick & Sons got the contract; though the most extensive work shop of the kind in the country had offered to do tba rl