The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-26
REPORT OF the NAVAL INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE.

MANAGEMENT 0T0OkhY0
Evn Of Political OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
tent Workmcn Employcd-The Secretary
OF the Navy Sustained-The Charges Against
George N. Sanders Answered, Sc, 80.
The following that portion of the majority report If
the Naval Investigation Committee which refers 10 the
Of the Brooklyn Navy Yard and the charges
of mcasance and absence from duty the part Of the
payy agent Mr. George n Sanders The leading features
OF the testimony taken upon these points Published
exclusively in the HERALD Of yesterday
L--Tm BROOKLYN NAVY YARD.
The large amount Of money annually appropriated for
the navy though that branch Of the continues
limited extent and power has justly excited int rss,
aud inquiry on the part Of the people.
Tho following statement will show tho extent OF the in
crease in expenditures for naval purposes
No Q, Vessels. No. Of Guns. Annual Cost
S4S...........'.m1o 2,Sao ?, ?, sss' sSS
Much Of this increase Of expenditure springs from the
higher price Of material, povislons clothing, &C., now
in 1885, even in 1896 much also arises from the
substitution Of steamers for sail vessels in the navy Of the
In Great Britain the cost OF the navy in 1854 when
its force Of men was 0 amounted TO f62S6 493 ster
ling, whio in 1878, when its force OF was only
$1,000 it cost IS lo9 Ss sterling under all The exeons
that made after the Russian TO reduce expend
the lowest practicable point This increase Of ex
pense is attributed in that country 10 the Substitution
But while the increase OF expenditure in naval
is thus accounted for In part has become matter
yards for the number OF vessels annually constructed
and repaired in service, appropriations for yards
and docks, and for construction equipments and repairs
to be dspropor tionately large.
To show how our appropriations for these purposes
have increased in the last twelve years. the following
statement will suffice
Yards and docks Observation-Disclosures. s5s5,549 s3,l5l,5,2
Construction equipment and repair 3,l2e All
Total. 81, 424 o2s se,2so, $40
The investigation made in this explains some Of the
causes of waste in the navy yards.
Your committee believe that persons in their dealings
with government generally display more OF voracty and
less Of scrupous integrity than is usual in transactions
with individuals.
Supplies for government whether obtained by cou-
tract in open market made the occasion OF fraud
the property Of the government is not preserved with due
care; rs responsible superintendent prove unlaithtu
and their subordiuates lack the yea which private in
.ercs dictates, and the fidelity which private scrutiny
exacts.
These principles, applicable efs TO all depart
meuts Of government work shown by the testimony
to be especially applicable to the Brooklyn Navy Yard
HOW APPOINTMENTS ARE MADE.
II is feature Of the times and to come extent an Incl
dert to our system OF government that offices and APP
and less by all parties rewards for partisan
service Not only does the dominant party give the high
and repons BILE places Of state into the hands Of party
friends but The subordinate and merely ministerial Places
such those Of clerk, postmaster mail agent messenger
doorkeeper and day aborer made to subserve the
purposes of party advantage. 1t is natural and not i'm
proper that those who have themselves Obtained Office
by party favor should prefer to bestow the patronage Of
supporters rather than upon those who opposed them
And in regard qualifications all leaiing parties have
competent men in their ranks.
When the appointing power, in looking around FOR CON-
peent men, is left merely to exercise its natural pre-
ference for friends over opponents all is well But
when party relations and party services are made
TO constitute controlling claim upon office, then
the strongest partisan has the highest claim; and as in
par times the Of the party often assumes great
er importance than good government, SO party claims in
bestowpg Office to receive more consideration and
influence than character or qualification Offices indeed
bc via
aed and maintained because their duties are essential TO
the public good They come TO be regarded as places Of
emoument whose salaries are essential to party welfare,
and TO be distributed with that view.
IT, has been said such is the tendency OF the present
time and with all parties, no one party s altogether
wherever in dersely settled community party strength
is nearly equally divided and party ascendancy often
changes, there of course this spirit becomes mbuet with
peculiarly mercenary tlDge. Want presses, victory
leads place The emoument being the object which
sought eugrosses attention; and while officials have
but little thought except to tho means Of
holding their places so those who want Office have no care
IN the aneTy Conflict Of The ms and outs
we have correctly described the .suuency OF things at
the present day will not be regarded with surprise that
this spirit prevails strongly in the commercial emporium
OF The nation has found It's nensest development in
the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
The fact that appointments the Navy Yard have for
many years past been bestowed upon party grounds is
distinctly proven.
The Hon John Kelly recently popular member OF the
House Of Representatives, and now holding important
the committee made the following statement
O. Have you known what been the management the
yard pariies A. Yes sir when The Whe. formerly
every man Of hem they would not permit them work
in New Yors~Pos. Office, Custom HOUSE, &c; and II IS
sppont all repubcans is very seldom that democrat
can get place. he does is through some extraordinary in
WHAT MR. MAcIAY SAYS.
And the Hon. VIM. B. Maclay, AT present member Of
Representatives
gentleman Of the highest integrity and politician Of ex
perenoe and Influence has deposed before the committee
TO the same effect The following extract s taken from
bis testimony
O. How long have you been acquainted with the manage
q What change il any has taken place in the meantime in
The mode Of making aPponinents' ac' A. do not hink
9; How long have appointments been made there upon
was seerers ofie Navy was representative in consre,s;
s
ply and my s he said 4 we would look csreny Svsr the
Would make e spponn s Mr. MURPHY SersapoS
ssrs es s Iss % sH sss xas
M s Ts5e Of
Do you 1cw whether S were ~ raae apos
A. Yes, SIR they were made upon that ground
Where appointments made upon party grounds 1t
necessary consequence especially nt points remote
IF eaup n howE be
Everywhere the recommendations Of members Of Con
gress are solicited by those seeking executive appoint
mcn's So 1t has been in the past, so, probably will
| be in the future.
When the present administration came into power In
consequence OF the fact that under the last adminstra
ton many the Congressional districts had been repre-
scented by political opponents the patronage in the Brook
iyn Navy Yard had been concentrated mainly in few
districts.
Now all of the districts Of the city and Of the country
Immediately adjacent thereto were for the first time in
years under representation friendly to tie administration
Each member considered himself entitled to favor. and
| much Of contention between themselves and be-
| tween them and the officers OF the yard.
| LETTER II. y. CLARK
Under these circumstances II was represented TO the
Secretary Of the Navy that would be agreeable 10 them
| and would save trouble to him, II hewould adopt the
principle OF equal partition n the patronage among
the districts as for practicable and ID order IN do this
IL was suggested that il would be well if practicable 10
| allow matter worsman to each district
| yE'r YorK. April 9, 1851
DEAR Sunday take this method OF recalling you stten-
ton 70 the matter Of the appointments made by you
nee,ed Win our nay ysrS' expressed you IN
masters In the several departments hod be distributed with