Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-04-14

meet although acting ~ an oficer Of the Govern
nsst and pat there % protect the 0overnmsnfs
inssrsstsl
I'VE have already sssn that the sloop at Porte
mouth IN was awarded 70 . connection OF the Sec
rotary Of the Navy. although the bid was twenty
six thousand dollars higher than one Of the other
bsds.
In regard to the Boston sloop t2) the Commits
siouess were divided between two bidders. Martin
was in favor of the $I04 900 bid and the Secretary
awarded it IL. Jaoor Of Adrfia's man.
The New York aloop ~ Was awarded to Mar
tin's favoritc agsiu--as loss to the Government
Of thirty three thousand dollars
The Philadelphia sloop (4) was awarded for
PURELY POLITICAL aEAsoxs. which We will explain
presently.
The Norfolk sloop (5) was awarded to an extra
VACANT bid, because Martin said he could not re-
commend the lowest bidders plan Of boilers
They had not adopted Martins patiently
The Pensacola sloop 10y was awarded, mt "a sac
riHce of twenty thousand dollars. to a firm who
had engaged tn give Martin one thousand collars
for the use of his patent boiler
We have thus shown how and why these mon
strous awards were made--all except tho one
at Philadelphia. We propose now to ''ventilate'
that.
There we're seven bidders for the Philadelph
sloop. The lowest was the Novelty Iron Works
the most extensive works Of the kind in the
Union. The contract was. however, awarded to
Merrick 4 Sons.
Before the award was made the following letter
Al - .rA Al. .t..
States, portions Of which we have itali Used:
PHILADELPHIA Sept. 10. 1853.
DEAR Sir: ! venture to suggest TO YOU the I'M
portance Of awarding the contracts for the machi-
merry Of the sloop, now building mt the maynard
at this time, and If it can be done without preju-
dice to the public service, to Merrick Sons
Theirs is the only establishment in the first dis
trict which employs u large number OF mechanics
Mt this time, three hundred and ninety; when in
full work $50.
The managing partners, Mr.. NJ, sr.. being
absent in bad health. are full fenergy straln'ng
every nerve TO keep thoir force during this depres
sion, and. in so far as I know. the only old Wings
ofany influence in that district, who are M Japo'
Of ne reelection Of Cot. Florence.
| know from former experience, the value OF
that influence, and feel persuaded that it is the IN
feresi fine Democratic pnriy to increase il.
The district will. hope b. carried in any event;
prior to the election, the result, would, think be
placed beyond all doubt.
With much respect.
The President.
Now, here was n corrupt proposition made to
tho President Of the United States. to award II con
tract for the purpose of securing political adsan
tage What did the President do with that cor
rupt proposal - Did 10 tcarthe le ter upf Did
he fling it Indignantly IN me fire? Did he direct
his clerk to send it bnck to Paterso ',wih an en-
phatic rebuhe for daring to make suc CHI PROPOSE
ton to him? Not h bit of it! lie enclosed Pat
tersons letter to Ito Secretary Of the Navy, with
the following endorsement upon it in his own
handwriting
Septrmbec II, 1853.
The enclosed letter from Colonel Patterson. of
Philadelphia, is submitted to the a,tctti on of the
Secretary ofthe Navy. b
An imitation, beyond all doubt to the Secreta-
ry Of the Navy to heed its request
Tho comments of the Committee upo, t lis trans
action are 80 rorcible and appropriate that ad-
opt them own:
"We regard this as serious ofcnsc. 1t is tho
duty Of the Secretary to determine whic Of the
to award him the contract. 1t is II udh ial net. -
Tho rights of parties under the law and tho rights
Of the Government. were involved in tho a,'ard.-
Any suggestions Of fact or motive, except those
which would enable the Secretary to- a1iudse
which Of the competing bidders was the lowest re-
sponsiblc one, was improper. Tho Score AIRY was
the subordinate If tho President holding Office at
his pleasure naturally controlled by his ill; ard
by law he is frequently required to award add al
judge without regard ~ the President. Under
these circumstances the President sugg csted to
the Secretary, and in writing called his ~ ten,icn
tothe Importance of awarding one of the &C mt tracts
for machinery to Mcrrck 4 Sons in orde to So
cure the potent political influence Of that firm in
favor of the reelection Of Colonel Florcnc e. and
thus place the result Of the election in his istrc,
beyond doub,, and generally to increase tho intlu
Of that firm, that it might be exercised in ia
vor Of tho Democratic party.
If the President had suggested to judge ot
the United States courts that he render ajudgmen
in favor Of one of the parties litigant in n cause
pending before him, because that Judgment would
aid in the election of party iavortc. or would
contribute to the success Of the Democratic party,
the general voice of tho people would demand his
impeachment. Is it q less serious offence when
this suggestion is made by the President to the
Secretary of the Navyf The judge is beyond tho
power of the President; the Secretary il within
his power. Each is required to perform judicial
functions. The suggestion by the President of
corrupt motives to either is equally dangerous,
and is more likely to succeed with an officer
whose tenure of the Office is the will of the Pres-
dent.