Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-11
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Friday Morning, a...... February IL, 1859.
A resolution was introduced in the House Of
Representatives few days since, asking for in
f,rmation in regard TO the contracts of the gov
eminent for coal for the of the Navy. The
gentleman offering this resolution, was Mr.. Sher-
man, prominent Republican member from Ohio
When Mr.. s. made his first move in tho matter,
he was strenuously opposed by several OF the
frisndssof the Administration, who alleged that
he wa. prompted solely by partisan malisnity in
tho prcsentation of the resolution. Whatever view
the majority may have taken Of The matter. they
Mt least sustained BY their votes, the position as
ahmed by Mr.. s., and the investigating committee
was appointed They have gone to work in good
easnest, and have already begun to let in the light
upon some Of the frauds and corruptions in this
connection.
The following are the facts elected in the cx.
animation The Naval appropr alton act OF 1850
provides that "in the article of fuel for the Navy
or Naval Stations and Yards. the Secretary Of the
Navy shall have power to discriminate. and rur
chase in such manner as he shall deem proper,
tina. kind Of fuel whic, is best adapted to the pur
pose for which it is to be used coal agent
has accordingly been appointed by the Depart
ment to purchase coal for the use oil the Navy.
and send it to the various yards and stations in
the Union.
Under Mr. Buchanan's Administration, Dr.
Hunter, of Reading. Pennsy lsania. has been the
nominal agent lie has not however, attended
to the duties of his off e. but practices his profess
sion as physician. Ills commission of five PER
cent, on the cost Of the coal purchased. and on
the cost Of freighting it, amounted Tor the past
year to the sum OF $1,000 1t appears ihnt the
present coal agent has been paying for c'al about
sixty cents ton more than the market price
The business of the agency is transacted by
nephew of the Secretary of the Navy. member
of the firm of TYLER, Stone Il Co, of al,lpha,
and that he is also allowed by the Navy Depart
ment TO mako all the contracts Tor the tran P1ria-
ton of the coal to the different naval sta'ions,-
Thus it will be seen that the Immediate relations
of the Secretary af the Navy receive the advance T
upon the coal. and realize the profit upon the YES
sells emp! yed in The transportation Of The coal to
the various stat ,l., FROM the Evidence before the
committee, it appear, that Or. Hunter, the nom
inal coal agrnt did 40: himself retain the SIS 900
to which be was entitled by way of commission.
The money was used last year Tor election purro-
ses in Penn ylynnia, being distributed i"r such
purposes under the immeointe direction al several
prominent politicians, among whom mas I've men
toned }. CLANCY Jones. now Minister to Austria,
and witnesses have been summoned to prove ihat
Mr.. Buchanan was prlSy To thc division OF the
Office Of coal asea'. for III" pnfPo' OF rewardns
certain Of h nastiSan7la Retks county aud el'e-
where
Think Of IT,. Ma Fox ; the author nt I
for elccioperrin4. ,rrnoSe. II fund Of 81 Uaa per
.,,,,o c.a.,i, IL, At,;.,l mil s, ,,n,h,,y #
N. Sscro., i ,bc \a,y .,o=.., TN. ro-fir. I,
.ho ,.,,...',,, wh., .,.,,,o,,,,,, -, tho
hr,or y;,,.,,,,s p,.,l.n, dcnl,rn
a. e 800. =; .a,.,s.. s,,,i,,., tho
fo,rdo,;o,, 4 th,. p,,,,1, a...tr.y,ng,uhl,. y;r
,,o mad d,,hot " Ina. sun I'M, lum,u,, ,erv and
,ons,,,,,,,o hyno,r;s,,
vho ,,,,lo - ,,;s ,o,, o,,cb,s;n, i o., i,r,.
,,o,,s on1 ,,r,. Grand ,,>o,, ,,,. t,..s,ry |, ia
-.
i"r'uh"e ''' Tue p"p''' interest '''' III He'',"'
exposing ITS enormity has been initiated. We
bovc vary linda donht IF tho cxistcuco ui nup,cr-