Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-26
Naval Abuses.

legged abuses in the Naval department OF the
government, made fro reports on Thursday :;
The majority report admits some abuses
in the navy-yards, especially Of political Ia
voritism. Recognizes an improperly IN the
selection of DIR. Hunter as Il coal agent for
the supply of fuel. Exhibits the transac-
tons in relation To the contracts for live oak
timber, but deems them right and consistent.
And i'll reference To steam machinery dlsap-
proves of the appointment of Mr.. Martin rs
Il member of the board of engineers, mas
much as Il boiler invented by him was inclu-
ded i'll all the plans presented TO the board.
The report concludes by submitting the fol-
lowing resolutions:
|. That the testimony taken in the lnycs-
tigation proves the existence Of glarlng abu-
SEES in the Brooklyn navy-yard, and requires
the interposition Of legislative rctorm-that
it is due to Justice to declare that these abu-
SEES have been slowly and gradually growing
up during ii long course of years, and that no
particular administration should have the
entire blame thereof.
>. That the coal agency for some time past
has been in the hands Of persons wholly IN
efficient and grossly incompetent. and that
reform is needed in the regulations which exist
on the subject. and that there Is no proof
which traces the knowledge Of such Inefficient
cy and incOmpetency to the responsible au-
thorities in Washington.
). While the committee will never sane
ton or approve, on the part OF any officer OF
the government, any tuv0rs to contractors,
yet, if the Secretary of the Navy did con-
template any favor to Swift, he did not de-
sign to bestow it to the dctriment Of the
government, but that in all he did in this
matter he kept always in view the good Of the
public and the interest of the service.
1. That III the letters of contracts for the
construction of steam machinery for the use
of the navy during the present admnlStra-
ton, nothing has been shown which calls for
the interposition of the Congress of the Uni
ted States; but it is manifest the present head
of the Navy Department has displayed Il We
~ laudable zeal to secure the greatest
amount of speed and efficiency attainable to
said vessels.
The minority report is very decided in its
declaration of abuses in reference to each of
the subjects pending in the enquiry. 1t As
serts in reference to the coal agency that DIR.
Hunter was a physician who knew nothing
about coal and that he transferred the whole
business to Il firm in Philadelphia, Hunter re-
ceving s., 453 as his profits.
In the matter of the livc-Oak timber the re-
port declares that compactS were made be-
tween parties for mutual advantage in vlola-
ton of law and to the detriment OF the public
service.
With respect to machinery that the awards
generally were determined upon the vote of
ID. B. Martin, in the board of engineers, and
that he was largely interested.
And the report asserts that the navy-yardS
have been turned into political machine.
They find that Hon. J. CLANCY Jones,
while member of Congress, agreed with
the Reading Forge Company to get govern
ment contracts and work for it. and did so,
for which he was to receive five per cent
That in So doing he violated the law.
They moved the paSSage"t Il bill. IN order
to guard against abuses, and the adoption of
the following resolutions:
Resoird, That the Secretary Of the Navy,
with the sanction of the President. abused his
discretionary power in the selection ola coal
agent, and in the purchase Of fuel for the
government
hesOired. That the contract male ny the
Secretary of the Navy. under date of Sep
TENDER %. 1858. with W. y. Swift, for the
delivery of live oak timber, was made in vio-
lation of law, and in manner unusual, i'm
proper and injurious To the public service.
Resoired, That the distribution by the Sec
retary Of the Navy Of the patronage in the
navy-yards among members Of Congress was
destructive Of discipline, corrupting in Its in
fuencc, and highly injurious to the public
service.
Resoircd. That the President and Secre-
tary of the Navy, by receiving and consider
ing the party relations of bidders forcontracts
with the United States, and the effects of
awarding contracts upon pending elections.
set an example dangerous to the public safe
ty and deserving the reproof of this House.
Resulted, That the appointment by the
Secretary of the Navy. Of Daniel b. Mar
tin, chief engineer, rs Il member of the board
. of engineers 10 report upon proposals for
constructing machinery for the United States,
the said Martin at the time being prcuniarily
interested in some of said proposals. is here
by censured Ivy this House.