The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-07-21
Our Washington Correspondents.
WASHINGTON July II 1891


The Vdn Wyck Commutes--7he Government COnhdcLs-An
Investigating Comns;,tee--2he Charter Of tie Steamer
Cdtaline-The Contracts to be Thoroughly Syted-TAs
Assaults on the Treasury to be Checked, dc, dc.
In the House Of Representatives to-day the special com
mttee, just raised to investigate matters connected with
the made recently by the United States govern
ment reported additional resolve asking for authority
extend their powers Of inquiry into the dongs of all the
several departments and further TO inquire into whatever
has been done and what may be done, this line here
after unit, the committee shall finally rcport also ask
ing leave TO Sit during the recess between the present
and the session OF Congress, and 60 when and
where II may be deemed advisable by the committee for
the purpose Of obtaining Information regard te said
contracts.
This sweeping resolution met with sharp opposition
the part Of Judge Kellogg, Of Illinois, Mr. Hickman Of
Pennsylvania and two other gentlemen, and the
proposition ably defended by Messrs Van Wyck, Of
New York, Dawes of Massachusetts, and Holman Of In
diana, Of the special committee. Mr. Holman informed
the House that be understood the mmlce to be raised
10 look thoroughly aud impair TALLY into the business under
taken by them. Mr. Dawes dsclmea any idea that this
would prove withdrawing committee and declared his
belief that the House had sufficient confidence in the
fidelity aud ability of the committee to prosecute its dr
ties without fear favor towards those who had had the
mana Of the huge contracts given od By this ad
mnistraton. M Van Wyck stated that the War Depart
men especially desired this Investigation, and that GER
tain statements had come to bis know ledge relation to
the chartering Of the Catalina steamer and also in ree
beef contract here, and hat contract In Chctn
NATL the details Of either OF which he did not hesitate to
DECLARE chairman OF this committee, required the
earnest attention Of the committee, and which savofed
strongly Of design to plumber the government in its
sent exgency attendant upon the which upon
Judge Kellogg replied, 81 think the Cha man of tho
committee Is hardly aware OF the force Of his declarations,
the grave import Of his remarks and move TO lay the
resolution upon table" The yeas and nays
dered upon Mr. Kosggs motion and the House refused
to lay the resolution the table by nearly two TO
Tho previous question then called and the resolve
In its original shape passed by vote Of SO to 81.
OF the committee failed and the extraordinary powers or
examination into the past and thorough supervision Of the
future Of the Navy War and Treasury depart
placed in the hands Of Mr. Van Wyck
mttee With power send for and papers 10 sit
during the recess TO where viii and to report at any
| future time.
The people may rest assured that this important bus
ness is now in good hands and very clear from the
Of the gentlemen upon this special committee
during the sharp debate which followed the intro
ductipn Of this last resolve extensive In its purposes,
that the country destined to be enlightened vastly
regards the od operadt Of the much abused contract
system OF the government.
The Colossal bargaining and cheating INDUCED In among
those who hang around the departments At such time
the present. eagerly seZng each opportunity to prey
the Treasury and to out DO each other in their
righteous onslaughts upon the peoples money will now
receive wholesome check, If the purposes Of this
mttee carried out as ~ pretty clear they will be-
And the names Of the gentlemen upon the committee,
their nntecedents and their well known ability Us ample
guarantee backed as they by the authority Of
the House of Representatives, that there be guilt the
perpetrators OF the wrong may well prepare to 'stahd
| from under.'
The committee Is fully organized and will proceed
at to the investigation OF The matters before them
The details of the large beef entered INTO here
IN May, the hat contract, concluded at Cincinnati, and
the cartering and destruction Of the old steamer Caa-
line will first engage the attention Of the committee
interesting is evidently ID prospect.