The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1859-05-20
S58l.OOO

Morgan Works, 10000
- 1851, 900
| In these FIVE of the seven contracts.
there was a difference of $90,50O between
the rejected offers of well known estab-
lishments and those which were accepted;
and, if the other two were awarded after
the same fashion, the entire loss to the
country was $ll6,700j or over eighteen
thousand dollars on each vessel The re-
jected bids were from the most eminent
works in the Union" a.-a
By the foregoing it will be seen that
the Novelty Works of New York, and
the Reading Forge Company---among the
best and most responsible in the country,
proposed to execute the work for sos, 900
whilst the offer of Merrick & Sons was for
100000, and by the terms of the law the
Secretary of the Navy had no alternative,
but to give the contract to the lowest re-
sponsible bidder, which no doubt would
have been done, but for the following
most remarkable correspondence, which,
as a justification or excuse at least, for the
gross misconduct of the Secretary, was
laid before. the committee of investiga-
tom:
Col. W. Patterson Of Phila., to the President
PHILADELPHIA Sept. IL, 1858.
Dear Sr:-I venture to suggest to you
the importance of awarding the contracts
for the machinery OF the sloop, now build
ing at the navy yard at this time, and if
1T can be done without prejudice to the
public service, to Merrick d 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, $50.
"The managing partners (Mr. M, Sr.,
being absent, in bad health are full OF
energy, straining every nerve to keep
their force during this depression, and, in
SO far as l know, the only old Wings OF
any influence in that District who are in
favor OF the reelection OF Colonel Flor
ence. s4 .,..-5. - f-s. ,t.1. =
IL know, from former experience, the
value OF that influence, and feel persua-
ded that it is the interest Of the Demo-
cratic party to increase it. rrt
"The First. District will, hope, be car
ried in any event, but with that shop at
work, full handed, two weeks prior to the
election, the result would, think, be
placed beyond all doubt" r. f.-..-
With much respect,
The President w. z. PATTERSON.
This letter was sent to the Secretrry of
the Navy by the President with this ep-
dorsement:
W. SEPTEMBER Is, 1859
"The enclosed letter from Colonel Pat
terson, OF Philadelphia, is submitted to
the attention of the Secretary OF the
Navy" 5" j. b.
The result of this unworthy and shame
full interference, on the part of the Presi-
dent, was that the contract was given to
Merrick u Sons, by which the law was
grossly violated, the whole object of adj
vertising for the lowest bidder. was de-
feated, the legal rights of private citizens
were abused, four thousand dollars OF the
public money was unlawfully drawn from
the treasury and the sacred right of free
representation was trampled under foot
by the representative man of the Demo
cratic party, in order to secure the cleo
ton of one of his Philadelphia pets; and
yet it was Mr.. Buchanan who said in his
letter to the Fort Duquesne celebration,
only last summer or fall; "Neuer until pith-
in a brief period have Vs heard Of the employ
nlert Of money to carry elections. Should this
practice be induLged until the voters and their
representatives in the State and National Legis-
latl9es become infected, THE FOUNDATION OF
FREE GOVERNMENT WILL THEN BE POISONED
AT ITS SOURCE, AND WE MUST END, AS HIS
TORY PROVES, IN A MILITARY DEsPoTIsM"--
Here we have the profession of Democratic
morality and patriotism, on the one hand,
on the other, the practice of the profess
or, against which no watchdog" of the
treasury or of the peoples liberties has
yet raised voice Of warning. Why sleeps
'fhs Watchdog p Why slumbers the
Indignation Of the Democracyf
Give OAK CONTRACTS N. G. Swift,
a whaler, Of New Bedford, Massachusetts,,
had, prior to 1874, been contractor for
the supply of live-oak and other timber
| for the government In 1854 he entered
| into written agreement with George
Pitt, of Philadelphia, an active and inti-
mate friend of President Buchanan, by
which Pitt agreed to aid Swift all he could
in obtaining live.oak contacts with the
Navy Department. The aid contempla-
ted was that Pitt should place Swift on
familiar relations with the Departments.
He introduced Mr., Swift to Mr.. Dobbin
during President Pierce's administration.
ind to other gentlemen, and used all his
influence in behalf of Swift. Pending the
Presidential election, Of 1856, Pitt intro
1d0ced Swift to Mr.. Buchanan. and sought
10 place him II the .ysry best position he
possibly could With the. President. Pitt,
~ the time. Nas treasurer Of the Demo
cfA&jc Btate O&ptrh Committee Of Penn.
~ En{S.I 1n6 - r,6l5I reeelved from swift