The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1859-02-16

for the appointment of committee to nvesli
gate the matter. Since then we have receives
intelligence OF the appointment of the commit
tee, and more definite particulars regarding tn
nature of the charges brought forward Thos
of the most serious nature refer to the nav
yards at Philadelphia and at Brooklyn, New
) York (which it is affirmed have been filed u
! with men, when there was no work or employ
ment whatever for them, expressly for cleo
tioneering purposes, in plain language, that th'
administration has kept in pay organised regi
ments of individuals for the grave purpose 0
controlling the ballot-box. 1t is also affirmed
on oath that master mechanics and managers
of the work going on in the navy yards are il
the habit of accepting brides of various amount;
, from workmen for situations and from contrac-
tors for materials; and that no man whatever
could obtain employment unless he submitted
to an official black mail by which the employ
ing power could derive heavy per centage oil
the wages allowed by government. In one de-
partment, each workman was taxed fixed per
centage of his wages for the exclusive benefit
of the master mechanic; and in one instance a
workman paid fifty cents per day, for more than
a year, to the foreman over him, for the privi-
lege Of working in the yard. Others were COM
PEELED to allow twenty five cents per day, while
others swear that they have repeatedly been
paid for work never performed; the chief work
men sharing with them the proceeds Of the pc
culations A series of baser frauds have never
been perpetrated on any government, ancient
or modern, and the facts demonstrate that the
welfare of the nation, as well as its selfrespect,
require new generation of officials. The pre-
sent mass of corruption and venality must be
swept out of Office, and honest men take their
place, or a few short years will find the United
States on par with Mexico But the inferior
employees are not alone at fault, for Mr.. Allen,
of N. York, one of the most responsible men in
the country, and partner Of Morgan founder
of the New Orleans and Texas Steamships in
the Allaire iron works, brings forward a charge
that he putin bids before the navy department
in accordance with its advertisements inviting
proposals, for the construction OF the engines
and other machinery for one or more of the
war-steamers, Of the larger and the smaller
class, now building under the direction of the
secretary of the navy, and that his bids were
thrown aside, although considerably lower than
those accepted or any other offers. He declares
moreover that this injustice to the public as well
as himself was brought about by bribery, and
that well known member of congress from
New York received bonus of FIVE thousand I
dollars for using his influence with the depart |
ment to have the contracts awarded to a com
peting higher bidder; and, further, that one of
his bids was entirely suppressed by the officials
and never laid before the examining board He
likewise afirms his ability to prove incontesta-
bly, that, "Gfter the bids had been opened, and
before the contract was finally awarded, one of
The highest officers known 10 the constitution
wrote 10 the highest bidder, Ito whom the work
was afterwards given, and exaced promise
that portion Of he work, viz: the forging Of
.he shafts, Granks, ETC., should be given BY the
~ particular establishment at Rea-
ding, Pennsylvania" One would suppose that
avan bringing TO lie notice of congress such a
iagrant act would be impossible, let alone an
open ayowal Of the power to verify the charge;
2ut nothing creates wonder in these fast
lays. The committee appointed to examine
INTO the foregoing charges commenced taking
estimony Oh the 4lh, and the telegraph gives
Information that the few facts elected in sin
gle day created no small sensation in official
quarters. Il is reported that evidence already
aiken down by the committee proves that gross
rauds on thep public treasury have likewise been
'erpetrated through the agency established by
he department to supply the navy with coal
large sums, of money were raised by means Of
he influences and contracts of this agency and :
sed In Pennsylvania, to buy and corrupt vo- .
ers at the late election; and, this, tits alleged,
vas done under the immediate direction Of ].
Tlancy Jones and president Buchanan Not +,
the intrigues Of the coal agency ,
nd the money Of the federal treasury, Clancy
ones was defeated, and the presidents native
tate repudiated his administration. 1t is an
ounced that Mr.. Jones is implicated in other .
orrupt transactions.
-~~-~-~~~----~--~-~----~e--
The Savannah Republican declares most pos :
lively that movement is now going on quiet )
7 to organize an opposition to the Charleston !
ational democratic convention, and that SO
'r Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin Min ;
esota and Illinois are the only States mention :
as likely to take hold Of this movement, but
lie promoters of are in hopes of spreading it :
Il over the northern States 1t is of course :
mother step towards disorganising the party, =
nd if successful must lead to a scrub race for .
lie presidency. Douglas friends are believed =
} be at the bottom of it. Can there be any :
for the statement Of our Georgia co.
What demonstration Of that har :
ony which at this peculiar moment is charac- :
ristic Of national democracy" !