Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-04-08
Frauds Upon the Government No l.


sion Of Congress Special Committee was appoint
ed. on m ,tion Of Mr.. Sherman of Ohio, to inves'
tipate certain frauds and abuses which were said
to exist in the Administration Of tho Naval De-
partment Of the Government These abuses had
become SO numerous-the frauds that were prac-
ticed had become so glaring. that IT was deemed
necessary public exposition should be made OF
the whole circumstances, both as punishment OF
the guilty parties, and a, warning to others who
were suspected of the same niauties.
The report Of Mr.. Sherman now lies before us
and we venture to say, there never was so much
evidence Of cheating and rascality comprised with
in the same limits before. The Committee sum
mnned numerous witnesses, and received their tes-
timony in full The result shows degree Of cor
ruption that We are almost ashamed 10 spread be-
fore our readers: but we intend to do so in ohca-
ence to sense of public duty. which requires us,
a. chrouiclers Ct the times, to inform eur readers
of all events Of public interest.
The Report opens with comparative statement
year ls4l In that year the sum expended wns
not quite tour hundred thousand dollars. II lN5S
it was upwards Of three millions! This l. rxclu.
sive of the bureau of construction and rlaipmont
which is upwards Of three mill ms moro.
The next point investigated was the selection of
Coal Agent at Philadelphia, by the present Ad.
ministration. Up to the year 1880, fuel for The
Navy was purchased by contract with the lowest
bidder. In that year law was passed changing
this mode, and providing for the appointment of
an Agent to purchase the coal. Mr. Graham,
q la Nnpt 40 uafa
from the Report-"appointel Mr.. Is. \. Springer,
q retired coal merchant Of Philadelphia, the Agent
of the Government to purchase anthracite coal
Upon receiving requisition for coal. he went
around to the coa-ealers received their offers, aud
took the lowest bid: and, upon its delivery. he or
his son was upon the wharf To see that 1t was
weighed correctly and shipped IN good order
The compensation Of the Aseut WAS fixed ut five
per cent. commission"
This let the reader recollect under Mr..
Fillmore's Administration. There was nothing
unfair or improper in the above arrangement. On
the contrary, everything was conducted properly,
and no complaint was made by any one. 1t was
only after this virtu"us and economical Admins
tration came into power, that we hear charges of
fraud and prohigaey in connection with the matter.
When Mr.. Buchanan went into the Presidency
there wero three applicants for the place of Coal
Agent. In the meantime. the quantity of fuel
needed for the Navy had vastly increased--whe,h-
Or fairly or not, does not appear-and the COM
mission of FIVE per cent. upon the purchase, was
q splendid income. No wonder then. there should
have been an eager contest for the appointment.
We quote again from the Report and we call
particular attention to those portions OF it which
we have italicised:
''ln May, 1858, some Of the applicants met at
Washington. and at n conference with each other
and their friends, lamong whom Hon. j.
Clancy jones, it was agreed that Dr. Charles ii.
Hunter, Of Reading, Pennsy lvania, should be APP
pointed c,al agent; and that the emoluments of
the Office should be dirided equally between him.
John F. Smith, and j. Lawrence Getz, warm per
sonal and political friends of the President. mho
had contributed largely TO his election. Hunter and
Smith were both applicants for the office Of coal
agent Getz was o member Of the Pennsylvania
Legislature. and then and now the editor Of the
Reading Gazette"
Now, here was beautiful arrangement Three
men are applicants for au Office, and it is given to
ore On condition that he diride the profits with the
othcrs1 Aud the reason was that the other two
had contributed largely" to Mr.. Buchanan's
election! In other words, these men were to be
reimbursed, out Of the Public Treasury. for mo-
ney they had srent in buying up Buchanan votes
in Pennsylvania!
Furthermore. the President himself va. a party
to the arrangement. One Of the witnesses him
self partner in the ransaction--testfed before
the Committee that the President knew all about
it. We quote again from the Report:
"Mr. Smith testified that he was IN Washing Ton
In May last, and was present when the arrunce-
ment for the appointement Of Hunter was made.
That some Of the applicants and heir friends had
conversation to arrange things nmicably if they
could. Finally it agreed that ii the Secretary
would appoint either Of them, he should appoint
DR.. Hunter Mr.. Gstz, or Mr.. Smith That
the arrangement wfs communicated TO the Hon
j. Clancy Jones, then member Of the House
and that the President also understood that the
emsluments Of the Office were to go to the three
A this was: deemed important by the committee
the witness was examined and reexnmined by
different members Of the committee as to the
knoxleige Of the President. and he repeated that The
P'csidem knew that the three to bride the
emolt mems OF the Office and that the parties were
saaifed with the decision"
81 it seems that no high dignilary as the Pres.
ident of the United States can descend to the lit
tie details Of the division Of spols among party
Of hungry ofhce-seekers.
Dr. Hantsr was appointed who was Dr. Hun
teri Let The Committes answer
@sDr Hupt1s had hesn for years. was then, an,
rssllsA 4 prsctieiK physic'sa in Reading IL
haiuegef purshss,d coal Tor sale; be did net KIM,
Nv purshase say cosl fr the Government or