The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-03-03
THE INVESTIGATION OF ABUSES IN
THE NAVY.

The reports of the majority and minority of
the select committee of the House, in relation
To abuses in the navy, were submitted on Thurs
day. The matters disclosed will produce a
deep impression upon the country
The following is a summary of the leading
points
" The majority report declares some abuses
IN the navy yards, especially of political favor
ltlsm recognises an improperly in the selec-
ton of DIR. Hunter as a coal agent, for the
supply of fuel exhibits the transactions in rela-
ton to the contracts for live-oak timber, but
deems them right and consistent; and. In ref
erence to steam machinery, disapproves of the
appointment of Mr.. Martin as a member of the
board of engineers, inasmuch as a boiler in
vented by him was included in all the plans
presented to the board. The report concludes
by submitting the following resolutions
p" L. That the testimony taken in the nvesti-
CATION proves the existence of glaring abuses
IN the Brooklyn navy yard, and requires the
interpOsition of legislative reform-that it is
due TO justice to declare that these abuses have
been slowly and gradually growing up during
long course of years, and that no particular
Administration should have the entire blame
thereof
-. That the coal agency for some time past
has been IN the hands of persons wholly ineffi-
Is needed in the regulations which exist on the
subject; and that there is no proof which traces
the knowledge of such inefficiency and incom-
potency to the responsible authorities in Wash.
ingtOn.
%. While the committee will never sanction
or approve, on the part of any officer of the
Government, any favors to contractors vet If
the Secretary of the Navy did contemplate any
favor to Swift, he did not design to bestow it to
the detriment of the Government but that in
all he did in this matter he kept always in view
the good of the public and the interest of the
service.
"A. That in the letters of contracts for the
construction of steam machinery for the use of
the navy, during the present Administration,
nothing has been shown which calls for the in
terposition of the Congress of the United States
but it is manifest the present head of the NAVY
Department has displayed a very laudable zeal
to secure the greatest amount Of speed and eff
cheney attainable to said vessels.
The minority report is very decided in its
| declaration of abuses in reference to each of
the subjects pending in the inquiry. 1t asserts,
IN reference to the coal agency, that DIR. Hunter
was physician who knew nothing about coal.
and that he transferred the whole business TO a
firm in Philadelphia, Hunter receiving 81 asa
as his profits.
In the matter of the live-oak timber. the
report declares that compacts were made he
tween parties for mutual advantage in violation
OF law, and to the detriment of the public
| service.
with respect to the machinery. that the
awards generally were determined upon the vote
of ID. b. Martin in the board of engineers. and
that he was largely interested.
And the report asserts that the navy wards
L ho.s haa 4 I
They find that Hon. ]. Clancy Jones, while
a member OF Congress, agreed with the Read
ing Forge Company TO get Government con
tracts and work for it, and did so, for which he
was to receive FIVE per cent. That in so doing
he violated the law
| They moved the passage of a bill, in order
to guard against abuses, and the adoption Of
the following resolutions: -
Resotrcd, That the Secretary of the Navy
with the sanction of the President. abused his
discretionary power in the selection of coal
agent, and in the purchase of fuel for the Gov
| eminent
" Resotred, That the contract made by the
Secretary OF the Navy, under date of September
-, 1855, with W. N. Swift, for the delivery Of
hve-oak timber, was made in violation of law
anu IN manner unusual, improper, and in
furious to the public service.
" Resotced, That the distribution by the
Secretary of the Navy Of the patronage in the
navy yard among members of Congress, was
destructive of discipline, corrupting in its in.
huence, and highly injurious to the public
service.
I" RESOLVED, That the President and Secreta-
ry of the Navy, by receiving and considering
the party relations of bidders for contracts with
the United States, and the effect of awarding
contracts upon pending elections, have set an
example dangerous to the public safety, and
deserving the reproof of this House.
"hesotred, That the appointment by the Sec
rotary of the Navy of Daniel B. Martin, Chief
engineer, as a member of the board of en-.
gineers to report upon proposals for constructing
machinery tor the United States, the said Mar
tin at the time being pecuniarily interested in
some Of said proposals, is hereby censured by
| this House."