Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1859-03-04


! know the man was drlnkard.
! 1t appears from the testimony that il was hg
order of Mr.. Secretary Toucey that the patron
age OF the Navy YARD was divided among the
/ members Of Congress. Under date OF july
so, 1858, Mr.. Toueey wrote to Cen Kearney
tue Commandant Of tie Navy Yard, telling him
that Mr.. Sickles had complained Of the master
Joiner because te bad not employed, under him,
. single person from his district. Aud the
Secretary directs the Commodore ssto inquire
into aud report upon tais matter" "Veig ex-
traordnary business" remarks Mr. Sherman,
'son whirh TO detail an officer Of the highest
rank known in tie Navy 6 the Upited
States.''
The Commodore, il rsply, transmitted 10 tic
Department letter from the master joiner,
Wao justified himself for rot accepting the rec.
ommendaiious Of Mr. Siclles by saying, that
''ih nine cases cut Of ten the uen who are most
stFeHueusly recommended are very Indifferent
hands, many of whom cannot obtain efoploy-
ment from private employers
Abuses Of the grossest nature are shown TO
exist in the other civil departments Of tie Navy
Yard, especially in these of the Navy Agent
and Naval Storekeepor. Similar abuses exis,
also AZ The Philadelphia Navy Yard. But, one
OF The most fagra1t violations Of lax aud of
pFoPriety was disclosed by the inquiry into the
contracts for lie EsoAinery Of the steam sleeps
oi-war directed to be buiii by the 4tct cf june,
1903. On the 26ih of July, sealed proposals
were Invited by Tie Secretary of the Navy for
the machinery ofihese vessels. BIDS wete ac-
eerdiug'y sent il by ucs' Of tie leading marine
engiIe- e-builders Of tie U. States. For the
large sloop at Philadelphia there were sesen
bids, the lowest being from the Aogelty Iron
Works Of this city, offering TO co The work fer
S98,000. Merrick & Sol9 of Pniledelphia of
feFed 10 do it for 100000. Before ihe Sec
fetary had PASSED upoD any of the bids, Ccl
W. Z. Patterson Of Phi.ldeiphia wrote, nu3er
tate of Sept. ID, 1858, to Mr. BGclauan tue
following iet;e::
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. I3, 1858.
"DEAR sIR: venture to suggest 10 sou The
importance Of awarding the contracts Tor tho
H'achlnery OF the slocp, H3w tGiIaing at the
Navy YARD a. his tiqle, and, If it can 5e done
witAont prejudice to The public service, 10 Aer-
rick & Soas. Iheiys is tie only establishment.
10 tie First District which EMPLOYS large
nun Der Of mechsaics this ;in.e, 390: whep
il fnll wosb, 450.
':TAo mspagiag paTtneTs Or. H., ST., being
stsoat IN bad Lealth,) are full Of energy, strain
ing every ncrye ta keep their force during this
depression, and. IN 50 far ss l know, the only
old Wings Of any influence in tha. Dissric: who
arc IN favor of TIE re-eleeticn Of Gel. Flor
encc.
81 kaow, froni former experience, the value
of that Influence, and feel persu 4Ged that i. IS
the interest Of the peHacratic party 10 Increase
It.
s.Ths Eirs. District viii, hope, be carried
IL sny event, but with that Shcp at woil, full
handed, two weeks prior to the election, The re
sui, wonld thiak, 10 placed bsyond sll
donbE.
Win mpeb respect,
w. G. PATTERSON.
"THE PRESIDENT"
The Presiden; sent this precious dosumeu,
TO the Secretary OF tho Navy With The folloIIng
Endorsement:
'sThe iuclosed letter, from Col. Pattersoa of
Philadelphia, is submitted 20 the attention Of
tie Secretary Of the Navy"
y. s."
Mr. Shermau's Report puts this trsnaacdon
in its true light:
sit is the duty of the Secretary to determine
which of the bidders was the s'lowest response
bic bitder,' and 10 award to him The contract.
Il is Judicial act. The rights OF parties uu-
der tue law, and the rights of tue Government,
were involved 10 the award. Any suggestions
Of fact or motive, except those which would en-
able the Secretary TO adjudgs which of the com
peting bidders Was the lowest responsible one,
was improper. The Secretary was the suhor
dinate Of tho President, holding oifise at his
pleasure, naturally controlled by bis will; and
by law he is frequently required to award and
adjadge without regard to the President-fDe-
catur agt. Parlding, X Pei, SIS; 6 Row,
l01-2.) Uador these circumstances the presi-
dent suggested TO ths Secretary, aud in writing
called his attention TO the Importance OF awar,i-
ing Que Of the contracts for machinery 10 Mar
rick & Sons, in order to fecure the potent po-
litcal ahaenee OF that frm n favor OF the re-
election of Col. Florence, and thus place the
result Of tho election in his District bryond
doubt, AMI generally 10 increase the influence
OF that firm, tnat it Nigh: be exercised il favor
oG the Democratic party.
LII the President had suggested 70 Judge
Of the U. S. Courts that he render Judgment
in favor of cue of the parties litigani in o4use
p-ndlng before him, because that jademsnt
Tpald aid IN tho election Of party favorite,
or would contribute to the success of The Dem
ocraflc party, the general voice OF the people
would deIuand bis impeachment. Is it less
serious osfensc when this suggestion il made By
the President to the Secretary Of the NavJt-
The Judge is beyond ihs power of the presi-
dent; the Secretary is within his power. Each
is required to perform judicial functions Tie
Suggestions by the President of currups motives
TO either is equally dangerous, and is more like
ly to succeed with su officer whose tenure OF
oihce is the will of the President.
"The terms of the note of the Presiden.
could not be misunderstood by subordinate.
No one can read the letter and note without