Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-04-18

Of enlightenment to the people of Virgnin, that
they may know how that 'insnferoJie stencil from
the rottenmess Of Government that is no~ penetrd-
ting 'osr AigArays and byrays' has been cngen-
dered. Keep IL before the people!
Frauds upon the Government-N 8.
CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS
We have now finished with the exposures made
by the Report Of Mr.. Sherman. The Committee
was raised by a resolution Of Congress. in obedi-
ence to general impression that astounding
frauds upou the Government were daily practced
in the Department Of the Navy. The reality. as
disclosed by Mr.. Sherman's Report, fr exceeds
the general belief The fact is developed that
there has been, for several years, general and
systematic plumber Of the public Treasury, through
the agency Of the Navy Department To these
frauds. obscure citizens have not been the only
parties. The evidence involves prominent politi-
clans, Members Of Congress- the Secretary of tho
Navy, and even the President Of the United States
hmselfi
1t is shown, first, that the appointment of
Coal Agent at the Navy Yard nj Philadelphia was
conferred upon politician and physician. who
knew nothing whatever of COAL and who utterly
neglected the duties of his office. That the inter
ests of the Government were not protected ut nll'
and that great deal more coal was paid Tor than
had ever been consumed before in the same length
of time Further. that the profits of this sinccure
Office were divided. by private understanding,
between three politicians who had Contributed
largely to Mr.. Buchauan's election
Secondly, that a contract in.o,v,ng nearly three
hundred thousand dollars, for the purchase of
ive-oak for the Navy, was awarded to n man who
had Contributed sixteen thousand dollars to the
election Of Mr.. Buchanan. That this contract in
volved fee Of ten per cent to an intimate person
al and political friend of the President. That the
lyeoak was not needed at the time. and that
there were several lotcer bidders than the man
who got the Contract. In other words, the money
of the people was taken out of the Treasury to
reimburse q corrupt scoundrel for his 'contribu-
tons" to Mr.. Buchanan's election.
In the next place; it is proved that the patron
age" a. it is called, Of the different Navy Yards,
is awarded to Members of Congress. who exercise
absolute control over the votes and eonscences of
the men who are employed. That the number of
these men 10 vastly increased-at the expense Of
the Teasury-just before every election-and that
not less than Eve or six Democratic members of
Congress owe their election to such fraudulent
and dishonest practices. That tho Treasury is
saddled With the expense Of Eve times rs many
men as are really needed. and that these men,
though we'll paid out of the Treasury, spend their
time in idleness s8d dissipation and political in
trigue.
In the next place, it is shown that the Navy
Agent at New York, who disburses four millions
Of the Government money annually, confers near
ly his whole patronage upon single house in
New York, ono Of the members of which is his in
innate personal friend, and the security upon his
official bond. That instead If purchasing "by
contract" and '.from the lowest bidder" as the
Law requires, he buys by "open purchase and
pays whatever the vendors may choose to charge.
In the next place. the evidence convicts the
Naval Storekeeper in New York of gross derelic-
ton Of duty. as we'll as Of positive fraud. 1t is
proved that he is an active editor in New York.
and does not attend to the duties Of his Office
though he draws large salary. That he never
credits the Government by any Naval Stores that
may be returned-and that, though he holds an
once not created by law, he employs twenty-odd
subordiuases. all Of whom, without any legal au-
thority whatever. draw their salaries from the
public Treasury.
1t is further proved that in giving out contracts
for machinery for the Navy-contracts involving
nearly million of dollars-thcy were awarded
in no single instance, to the lowest bidder. That
they were awarded to men who had "contributed'
10 Mr. Buchanan's election, and could vote" sev
eral hundred operatives apiece in the election q