Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-27
Mr.. VaiIandIgham and Ihe eun.
Housr os Rrrsrl5srAEIyrs; 7, Se,

b WAaHINaToN, d. c., Dec 2i, 1861,
Editors Of the Journal Of Commsyes: you
have allowed your Washington correspondent
to wantonly impute improper motives TO me
In Offering an amendment, the other DAY, 70
the bill authorizing the construction OF twenty
iron clad gunboats, you will not, presume, TO-
fuse TO publish the amendment and my remarks
upon itas taken from the Congressional Globe
Very truly,
Mr.. VALLANpIdHAM.-I propose to modify
my amendment ss follows; strike out OF the Dill
the words ''by contract or otherwise, as he shall
deem best for the public interest,"" and modify
the proyiso so that Il shall read as follows:
"Py0pided, Said gunboats shall be Constructed
at the public navy yard 80 far as practicable, or
otherwise by contract or public letting, to be
advertised at least ten days previous to the let
ting, in two newspapers, in the cities OF Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore"
There is no time limited in the bill as 'epott-
ed by the committee on Naval Affairs Inc
limitation arises from the necessities oil the
case; from the difficulty Of obtaining materials
For the purposes for which these boats are 10 pe
used, there is, in my Judgment, the most over,
ruling necessity that they should be constructed
as soon as possible; and they will be needed ~
case OF the occurrence with a foreign power Oh
the war which seems impending over US, and In
reference to questions of that kind, no man in
this House will 20 further than will in the sup
port of this Administration in the voting oil
men and money, and of all other means, Tor the
vigorous and successful prosecution OF that
war, IL it cannot be honorably averted: Ii II
can be, then am of that number who desire
| to see no war at home or abroad But raiher
than sacrifice honor; rather than compromise the
dignity of this country; rather than yleld prin-
ciples which We have maintained for years ana
| years together, am ready to meet the comDineo
hostility of the whole world; and that believe
| is the sentiment of the American people -
Therefore IL is, that while am anxious that
these boats shall be built as speedily aspossible
and more than that, thR. gunboats should be
placed upon the Western lakes, where we want
them to-day, and that bills may be introduced
for that purpose-I am anxious that they shall
be built, with view to the public interest,"
with as much economy as possible; ana am
the more cautious upon that point because toe
investigating committee has reported the Ap'
pOntment, by the Secretary OF the Navy OF al
agent for the purchase OF vessels AZ salsry
of some three hundred thousand dollars
think it is time for US to see that no loop-nole
of that character be given now; aud theretore II
| b66Uib W mO Ludb uoNO y " ~
the duty of this house to embaIrass the Secre'
tary of the Navy, or any other executive othcer
so that he shall not be permitted to indulge. IL
extravagaut expenditures of money either iol
| purposes OF favoritism or with recklessness aLc
without any purpose at all. should have SAID
that the compensation of the agent was at the
rate of $500, 900 year; and also should have
said that the appoinsee is brother-in-law OF the
Secretary of the Navy. 10 the present puoiit
emergency it ia OF the last Importance that int
construction of those vessels shall commence o.
the earliest possible moment. There IS not al
hour to be lost. But AT the same time 1t is oul
right and duty to guard against any extrayaganc'
| on the part of those to whom we are obhgeo u
commit, or choose to commit, the constructor
of these vessels.
In view of the infamous swindlng that ha'
been carried on by the War and Navy Depart
ments, as exposed by tho Congressional Com
mittee, who with one grain OF honesty can objec
to the proposition Of Mr.. VALLANDIeHAM ? 1t il
eminently proper that all the restriction possible
should GO thrown around these men who have
SO wantonly stolen the public money.