Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-03-07
Abuses OF the Navy Department.
Hon. =. CLANCY Jones.

Vention.
Abuses OF the Navy Department.
Hon. J. CLANCY Jones.
In Che course of their Investigations into
the contracts for machiney, it came to light
that the Hon. j. CLANCY JONES of Pennsyl-
vania, late Chairman Of the Committee OF
WAYS and Means of the House of Representa-
tives. and now United States Minister to Aus
tria, did. while a member of Congress, receive
money from the Reading Forge, Pennsylva-
mia, for his services in obtaining contracts for
it with the General Government. We copy
from the report of the minority of the Conn
mittee
Hon. W. II. Keim member of this House.
testified that he, as secretary and treasurer of
the-company, made an agreement with Mr..
Jones to the effect that, if he would get work
for the forge to do, the company would allow
him five per cent. on the amount he obtaino d I;
that the kind Of work contemplated was fOrg-
ing shafts, &c. for vessels of the United
States Navy. The inducement to the compa-
nv to make the contract with Mr. Jones was
the fact that he was member of Congress
and it was supposed that he would have
facilities for getting work that others would
not.
Prior to this agreement, Mr.. Jones wrote
the following letter to General Keim:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, !
May I8, 1854.
Dear Geraeral-I received your letter this
morning, and have just had an interview with
the Secretary of the Navy. He informs me
that all the machinery will he given ont on
contract, except perhaps, what is made in
Washington. The Secretary will advertise
for bids, but will not give it to the forrest bid
der; he will contract with the offer which he
thinks best for the government. Now, / think
can serve my town and constituents bv Sc
curing a fair portion from those who want
these contracts; with this the Secretary has
nothing to do; but we can do great deal
ourselves by being ready to meet these con-
tractors. / will write you again soon, and
send you the notice when the Secretary adj
Vertises. Truly yours.
]. CLANCY JONES.
General W. II. KEN.
Under this agreement Mr.. Jones did get
work for the forge in 1854 for the steamer
Wabash, amounting to $4,000 or $1,000
upon which be was entitled to five per cent.
The contract for the work was made to Mer-
rick * Sons
General Keim ceased to be Secretary and
Treasurer of the company in the spring of
1855, and was succeeded by M. A. Bertolet.
Mr. Bertolet testifies that the contract with
Mr.. Jones was frequently spoken of in the
meetings of the board, when the business of
paying him what was agreedupon was spoken |
Of On two or three occasions the witness
met Mr. Jones and told him that he was very |
sorry that the concern was in such condi- !
ton pecuniarly, that he did not see how he |
could pay him any money then. He testifies |
he always understood that Mr.. Jones was
the agent of the company. aud that the COM
pany had either agreed with him or proposed |
within themselves to give him certain per
centage for such work as should be procured
through his agency. He testilies that Mr..
Jones did get work for them from the govern
meat in 1855 in the repair of the Minnesota.
the amount of which was SO l09 4S, and that
this sum was paid to the forge company by
the government. 1t also appears from the
books of the company that the forge company
did work for the government in 1856, in the
items amounting to S6.4Si 16, and for con-
tracts under the government tor large
am unit Mr.. Bertolet continued in office but
one year and was succeeded by Chas. McCleni-
gan who is now in Rio Janeiro.
The agency of Mr.. Jones was known gener-
ally. At New York it was supposed to he an
ownership of the forge. Mr.. Bartol. a
partner or agent Of the firm of Merrick il
Sons. Philadelphia, writes under date of July
u. 1854 to the snperinten dent Of the forge.
Colonel Florence who is just from Washing
ton saws it is a settl fact that two of the
new sloops are to lie built here" After sug-
costing that the Forge bid for the machinery I
OF one Of them. he inquiries twill Mr. Jones
support your proposition so as TO get the job?'
The reply OF the treasurer in due time de-
clines the offer and says, "Mr.J is also Of
opinion that it might seriously Affect the in
terest of the forge company.
No account was opened with Mr.. Jones in
the ledger Of the Reading forge. The check
book of the company was not before your I
committee. How much he received for his
services, how much is due TO him still on his
contract, IL is impossible to tell. In the ex-
pense account. items of money paid to Mr..
Jones at various periods were found.
The evidence in this case is absolutely con-
elusive. Gen. KEN. whose testimony estab-
fishes the charge, is now Representative in
Congress from Mr.. JoNEs's district. The
minority of the Committee. after citing the
facts given above, conclude their remarks on
this head as follows:
The undersigned therefore reportthat Hon.
] CLANCY Jones did. while member of this
hoase. enter into a contract with the Reading
Forge Company, Ivy which he agreed to pro-
cure work for it tr0n che government, in
of which he was to receive five. !
per cent. commission; that he did procure
contracts to be made between the gov ern- ,
ment ana SAID hchulhE FoiE', III WHICH ne .
was interested to the amount Of said com
mission; and that he did rec i've money from
aid company for said service
The evil tendencies OF such transactions
ire manifest III members of Congress and
,ther off ers of the government may he en-
,loyed with money to solicit at the executive
DEPARTMENTS and bureaus for contracts and 9
OBJ. it cannot be expected that thrir influence
will be resisted The law will soon be disre- y
,arded and Offices, employments and con- :
racts will he bartered aud sold without re-
,ard to the public service.
The interest of Mr.. Jones, in the contracts
between the government and the Reading {
Forge Company, certain, direct, and !.
'urely of pecuniary nature.
On this point the majority of the Commit =
ee say:
When persons are implicated in the inves-
igation by committees. witnesses are sum-
noned at their request. As to the charge
gainst J. Clancy Jones-in the annexed '
minority staIement-he being out Of the
ountry, could have no knowledge or Motif I
alton OF the existence of the charge. There I
ore, so far as he Is concerned. the evidence r
icing altogether er PdTfe, the committee think a
would be wrong for them to pronounce or :
1rm any opinion upon the subject. i
OF the Opposition-Cannon 7
Comfy.