Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-03-08
Official Corruption.

We published last week some notice OF the
reports made to Congress by the Committee ap-
pointed to investigate alleged abuses in the
Navy Department. The majority OF the Oom
mittee, in their report, acquit the Executive OF
blame, or at least excuse the President and Sec
rotary, but they are obliged to admit the facts
which have been proved, and the public can
form their own opinion of the case. 1t appears
that the Navy Yards, with the full knowledge OF
the Executive at Washington, have been used as
''political machines"-that contracts for coal
were given to one man with the understanding
that he was to divide the profits with two others
and that Mr.. Pitt, of Philadelphia, intro
duced to the Government gentlemen who sold
it a stock of live oak, which had once been re-.
iected, and, with the Presidents appropriation
received ten per cent. of the gross amount OF
the contract.
In connection with the subject of contracts for
machinery, the Committee bring to light the
following letter sent by Col. W. O. Patterson,
of Philadelphia, to the President:
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 10, 1900.
DEAR SIR: venture to suggest to you the
Importance of awarding the contracts for the
machinery of the sloop now building at the ma
Wy yard at this time, and, if it can be done with
out prejudice to the public service, to Merrck q
Sons. Theirs is the only es. ablishment in the
First District which employs large number OF
mechanics; at this time, 800; when in full
work, $50.
The managing partners, (Mr. NJ, ST., being sb-
sent in bad healthy are full of energy, strainlng
every nerve to keep their force during this de.
preston, and, in so far as know, the only old
Wings Of any influence in thut District a0ho are
an tauor Of the reelection Of Col. Florence.
Iknow, from former experience, the oatae OF
that Influence, and feel persuaded that 1t IS the
interest Of the Democratic party to increase 1t
The First District will, l hope, be carried in
any event. but aoith that shop at cork, full hand
ed, taoo soeeks prior to the election, the result
sOould, I think, be placed beyond all doubt.
With much respect,
The President. W. O. PATTERSON.
This letter was sent to the Secretary of the
Navy, by the President, with this endorsement:
Sept. ID, 1858.
The enclosed letter from Col. Patterson, of
Is SuOHtt0eo" w Wv W WV
Secretery of the Navy.
The minority of the Committee remark upon
this letter and the Presidents course in reference
to it,
It is the duty of the Secretary to determine
which of the bidders was the "lowest response
bic bidder" and to award to him the contract.
II is judicial act The rights of parties under
the law, and the rights of the Government,
were involved in the award. Any suggestions
of fact or motive, except those which would en-
able the Secretary to adjudge which of the COM
netting bidders was the lowest responsible one,
was improper. The Secretary was the subordi-
nate of the President, holding Office at his pleas
ure. naturally controlled by his will; and by law
he is frequently required to award and adJudge
without regard to the President. Under these
circumstances the President suggested to the
Secretary, and writing called his attention to
the Importance of awarding one of the contracts
| for Machinery to Merrick & Sons in order to Sc
cure the potent political influence Of that .1trm
an fnpor of the n. election Of Colonel Florence
and thus place the result Of the election in hi
district beyond doubt, and generally to anereas
the influence of that firm, that it might be erer
cissd IN favor Of the Democratic party.
If the President had suggested to Judge o
the United States Courts that he render judg
ment in favor of one of the parties ltigant il
a oause pending before him, because that Judg
ment would aid in the election of party favor
life. or would contribute to the success OF TIT
Democratic party, the general voice of the PEG
ple would demand his impeachment. lsit a les
serious offence when this suggestion is made b.
the President to the Secretary Of the Navy E
, The Judge is beyond the power of the President
q the Secretary is within his power. Each is re
ouired to perform judicial functions. The sug
gestion by the President of corrupt motives u
either is equally dangerous, and is more hkel.
to succeed with an officer whose tenure OF ofiic
: is the will of the President.
The terms of the note of the President coul'
not be misunderstood by subordinate No on
> can read the letter and note without convlc
: tion that the inducement IN the letter was re
+ sarded by the President as proper one to b.
submitted and to require the attention OF Tn
, Secretary. Thus Endorsed, the corrupt motiv
suggested would decide the award without re
gard to cost, unless the Secretary evinced high
. er sense of public duty than his superior.
Should it be said the letter did not lnt1uenc
the award, the reply is, that the offence is Il
submitting corrupt motive to the conslaeratol
of the Secretary. But the award aoas maze
Nerrick Dc Sons. How far it influenced the a
ward can only be inferred from the subsequen
proceedings.
The Report then mentions number OF case
10 which contracts for machinery were awarde
to others in preference to the lowest bidders
showing an aggregate difference between tn
lowest bids and the accepted bids of $4,000
The bid of Merrick & Sons for the Philadelphi
ship was 100000, and the bid of the Novelt
Works, New York, for the same work was $9s,