Litchfield enquirer., 1860-07-19
Our Secretary of the Navy.

Whatever differences of opinion may exist as to political parties, the recent developments at Washington have created nearly unanimous impression upon the public mind, that it is quite time for change of the persons in control of the government. The native strength of our institutions and the vitality of youth will long resist the eorrupting influences of great abuses and while the public heart remains sound. and the instant public rebuke of the press follows upon the discovery of the frauds of these in pow. er we have no cause to fear for the safety of the Republic. But we must never forget that char acter at home or reputation abroad, depends in every community, upon the prompt punishment of those offenders, whose individual disgrace if uncondemned, attaches to the whole.
 We are sorry to say that our own State has a special duty to perform in this regard. The un- worthy practices and startling frauds of one de- partment of the General Government, have been made the subject of special investigation by Congress- department over which presldes great leader of the Connecticut democracy.
 The House of Representatives at its last ses- sion, has performed it's duty without fear or fa- vor, by passing resolutions of censure, such as have never in the history of the government be- fore marked with reprobation the conduct of . high public officer.
 We desire our readers carefully to examine the following resolutions of the House, which are fully justified by volume of testimony now before us, consisting of about thousand printed pages.
 Resolved, That the Secretary of the Navy has, with the sanction of the President abused his dis cretionary power in the selection of coal agent and in the purchase of fuel for the government.
 Resolved That the contract made by the Eecre- tary of the Navy, under date of September B. 1s5s, with w. c. N. Swift, for the delivery of live-oak timber, was made in violation of law, and in a manner unusual, improper, and injuri- ous to the public service.
 Resolved, That the distribution by the Secretary of the Navy of the patronage in the navy yard among members of Congress was destructive of discipline, corrupting in it's influence, and highly injurious to the public service.
 Resolved, That the President and Secretary of the Navy, by receiving and considering the party relations of bidders for contracts with the United OIitlcS, anu tc tHcCG ol aWdfullS CoAtTdctS upon pending elections, have set an example danger ous to the public safety and deserving the re- proof of this House.
 Resolred, That the appointment by the Secreta- ry of the Navy of Daniel B. Martin, chief engin- eer, as q member of board of engineers to report upon proposals for constructing machinery for the United States, the said Mal tin at the time be- ing pccuniarily interested in some of said propo- sas, is hereby censured by thls House.
 We regret that we have not space to extract some portions of the evidence, particularly that which relates to the "Live oak contracts with Swift & Co.,, and which discloses one of the most corrupt "jobs" that ever disgraced any even his-administration But we have quoted enough to authorise the question what opin- ion are the people of Connecticut-honest, in- telligent sensitive to any stain upon the honor of their state-what opinion are they prepared to express upon the conduct of Meir representa- tivein thea1xecutive Cabinet? Is it one of appro- val which accepts, or of condemnation which wipes out the dishonor? -