Litchfield enquirer., 1859-02-17
THE DEVELOPMENTS OF FRAUD.

1hL DL ELOf EMENIS OF FRAUD.
 The rumors and reports as to the discove- fies of the Committee to investigate the frauds in the Navy Department, indicate the truth of some of the most serious charges brought against the officers of that branch of the public service. Among the witnesses sum inoncd are Com. Kearney, and Capt Roots who were removed from the Brooklyn Navy Yard by MT. Toucey, it is alleged, becanse they would not sanction the fraudulent filiug of the yard with men to vote the Democratic ticket. The Commodore refused to admit these men, aud he was removed. Capt. Root. succeeded him, and he too refused, and he wa. removed This was just before the New York election, when the number of men ill the yard was run up to 2,500, though there Was nothing for so many to do,. and immediately after the election the number was reduced to 100. It is said that their testimony sus, tains the charge of corruption.
 The Washing; on correspondent of the New York Post. whc seems to be well informed, thinks that the Committee will ferret out an amount of iniquity which will astonsh the i country even in these corrupt times. He mar rates the following incident of one of the wit nesscs summoned before the Committee, the muster blacksmith of the Brooklyn Yard
 "Mr Merrifeld received an early rebuf yester- day, which slightly cooled his ardor. As soon as convenient after his arrival he sought out Mir Shcr- man, the Chairman of the Select Committee of h. vestigation and with aA air of selfassurance, ad- dressed him thus:
 c. Is this Mir. Sherman. of Ohio ?'
 l" It is. Sir" replied Mir. $.
 :. Then would like to inquire, Sir, if you have any charges against Ae ?"
 '' Pray. Sir, who are you. and where do you be long ?" continued Mir Sherman.
 My name is Mcrrifcld," added the enquirer, "and am master blacksmith of the BrOokl,n n Ma " Yard, and have been subpenaed here by your Sergeant-at-Arms.
 Mir Sherman" Now understand you In an- swer to your question, Icannot say at present whct- CT we have any charges against you, but.there arc some serious complaints.
 This was a sledge-hammer blow at the black smith, which caused him to subside without another question.
 This Mir Merrifeld is the "rght bower' of a certain Administration member of Congress to whom he is indebted for his place in the yard Speak ing of this member of Congress reminds me to say. right here that his brother in law is of the firm Uf James Murphy Co., steam engine builders of New York. To this firm awarded the contract for building the engine for the large-sloop o-war building at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, and tic Gov ernment agrees to pay them Sl 900 for it-thiry- three thousand dollars than the celebrated Nov city Iron Works of New York. bid to do the same work for. The latter establishment, and TWO Otl- ers, were jumped over for higher bidder who hap pens to be the common friend of MT. Toucey aud MT. Buchanan.
 The facts came out in evidence yesterday and it was shown what became of good share of the $33, 900 which was paid to Murphy & Co. over and above the price charged for the same work by an establishment of worldwide reputation When the testimony is reported to the House, it will mark certain Administration member with undoubted ac- curacy.
 It also out in evidence yesterday, that at the time of the election in New York last Fall, there were packed into the Brooklyn Navy Yard 2,3O0 mechanics and laborers; that about ], 200 of them were discharged shortly afterward that at present. there are about 100 in the yard, and with that number they are now doing more work, and doing it better. than when the yard was crowded with un- wieldy crew who were not there as mechanics and laborers, but as hireling politicians!
 The evidence in regard to the Philadelphia Yard will show still more glaring record"
 It is also charged against Mr. Touccy that he gave contract for building marine en. zine to relations of his in Hartford, when there were. other lower bids from more experi enced aud better known establishments, and when the Hartford man had never built ma rine engine, while the unsuccessful applicants had built Q great many. A similar charge k made against him of favortism in purchasing supplies of coal at Philadelphia, and call fol information on this subject, made by tht House of Representatives, has not yet beer answered. So there is also another charge and another call for information from the Ma " Department, about an alleged fraud in a contract for ship timber, which Mir. Touccy does not answer.
 These things, taken together, leave very unpleasant impression upon the public mind They may, indeed, be without foundation, but the Navy Department does not show that alac. rity in clearing them up and disproving them, which is indicative of innocence II. Jour