The New York herald., 1862-04-29

The interests OF the were thus Jeopardzed,
because the national legislature would not promptly give
10 the department the means OF putting these |
vessels aloat. If the contracts for building these
IRON gunboals could have been made at the
millions, the department, instead OF having one iron
yunboat, would have had twenty TO take care OF the
any other vessel thai could have been put
aoat by the Southern confedeacy and before this day
would have had every city the whole Southern coast
possession. u Is unfortunate thing for the coun-
that the department had not the means to build these
iron vessels and have them aoa at the time they were
wanted 1t is very easy to cry out against the depart
ment for want Of promptness is very easy 10 get up
cry Of fraud agaDst the department. II makes the
people through the newspapers OUT and inquire VINO
il is that has nado such terrible denunciaons in this
House Of fraudulent contracts. l would say, in re-
laton to all this matter, that will vote, and de-
sire to vote, in support OF the resolution offered
this morning by Mr. Colfax for desire brought
forward Dit which shall punish fraud any depart
ment OF the government as crme-a bill which will
out Of Office, who engages in fraudulent transac-
ton shall cscare the responsibility OF his acts. put
no shield before any victim who is justly amcnabe to
punishment censure II the Secretary OF the Navy
has been guilty any base secret fraudulent transac
with anybody, with either relative or stranger
let tho axe fall do not stand here as his shield his
protector But if he has managed the affairs of his de
partmcnt with skill, with activity, with ndustryf hc
has brought about him. in the administration Of the Navy
Department. men whose practical knowledge, whose
energy whose devotion to tho scrvice-such men be
unquestonaby has s his assistant such men as he has
as his counselors advisers and assistants and II Also
the Affairs Of the department have been managed with
integrity and honesty do not indulge in this criticism
do not attempt to inure him in the estimation of the
country do not cripple him in his efforts to serve the
country by any unjust of his conduct and his
motives The head Of that department has produced
administration of the Navy Department worthy of its
history and Of its oden gores Hitherto its achieve
ments have been confined to the broad ocean, where its
flag has been unured to the breeze; but it is hu
derng at tho gates Of cities in the very heart Of the Con-
tinent 1t making unsafe the Of
those traitors who vainy strive nerpose between
their treason and its punishment the Aeghanes and the
great mountains that rib the continent The navy has
participated in every glorious contest of the war; and is
now evyng its contributions on the chief commercial
city Of the South. And it is proposed to strike it
down by Of want Of confidence in its head by
q him for fraudulent management OF its af
fairs protest against that injustice While the navy
is revivng the Of its old heroes fields it
is entitled to confidence and not To censurous and cap
tious criticism 1t is willing to be judged by its results
1t is willing to give account, in honest returns for
every dollar entrusted to its management. Look at
the results which this navy has produced in the war
from the moneys furnished to it. / know that
Congress has been liberal, that it has not shut its fist
against the fair demands Of the Navy Department, and
that results have been produced worthy Of all its
lfberaty do not say that the department, any Of
its officers, perfect, that they have not been de-
frauded imposed upon for no vigilance secure
department from fraud but say it challenges respect
and confidence FOR integrity for zca for industry for
PATRIOTISM hoCest desire to subserve the public
interests The history Of our gallant navy will suffer no
tshonor under its present administration Now stand
ing at the head OF new inventions, with its iron boats
tested in actual contest, with its mortars thou
sand pounds heavier than any used at the famous
siege of Sebastopol, and for the first time launched
on ocean vessels, it has gone through the delta
bound the highway Of the empire in the Great West 1t
is opening the channels OF commerce-t is doing its
whole duty TO the country | ask that you shall not
cripple declaring that it lacks the confidence OF the
House Of Representatives. II the department has made
mistake you have corrected it by legislation If there
was mis- take not limiting commits sion paid to an
agent you have corrected that by legislation You
must recoec the circumstances OF the country when
that transaction took place You must extend to your
public servants the justice not TO say the charity which
you extend to any of your agents employees in
public life ask this House to pause before passes
OF the Navy Departments department which, in it's
conduct throughout the whole has been worthy Of
the praise, instead OF the censure of this House.
Mr. STEVENS said the gentleman from Massachusetts
(Mr Dawes) former occasion informed the House
that he (Mr Dawes) had notified him Mr. Stevens)
was about call up this report but that, notwithstand
Ing he Mr. Stevons) had deemed it proper to absent
himself. He r stcvens) had expected that the gentle
man (Mr. Dawes) would have. as requested, made the
day for the reason that he had appointment with
strangers about leaving Washington. The gentle
man from Massachusetts did not mention this |
fact. The gentleman from Indiana Mr. Coliax) how
ever, supplied this deficiency and, therefore harm
was done. He (Mr. stcvens) would make good his |
charge The committee havo not conducted their bust
with fairness. They had not given notice
whose honesty they mpGgncd, furnished them with
Dy of the evidence against them and when request
ed TO issue subpunas they had omitted to do so.
Mr.. FENToN, (rep) OF y. Y (incrrnptng said-With
full knowledge Of the Investigations at York, Har-
rsburg and Washington the committee had scrupuously
pursued course contrary to what the gentleman had
Mr.. STEVENS, responding, SAID the documents did not
show IL.
Mr. DAVIS (rep.) Of Pa in explanation said the CON-
mittec had sent word TO General Fremont his
time when would appear agreeable to him to ap
pear before them.
Mr sIrANKs (rep) of Ind. stated that no notice had
been given General Fremont and no testimony fur
lished.
Mr. STEVENS said that such the generally of
ho committee In order TO censure cxSecretary Came
necessary To inpeach the character OF of
bis agents, Governor Morgan and Alexander Cummings
Contrary to what the committee charged, Alexander
Cummings Had dollar in his hands They accused
lim Of retaining $40 600 in his possession when it
expressly stated by him in his note that the was
N the hands of Messrs. Dix, Batchford and opdy4e,
where it originally pac ed by the Secretary OF the
Treasury The report as TO Cummings was founded on
assumed mistake OF the printer, which Mr. Stevens said
was founded on fasehood This was fraudulent
Fraudulent Misrepresentation No.
No. 9, is the Of the agent Zacchi The committee
lad that such made large contract for horses
he failed to appear, and they censure fraudu-
transaction made under General fremont aud say
hat the newspapers say that this Zacch in General
rcmonts staff but all this turns out not to be true and
hc Zacchi the staff never knew any thing about the
lorsc contracts.
Mr. wAsnBuRNE asked where he got his information?
Mr. STEVENS said from an aldavit Of the real horse
Mr. WA.IBrRyE said he knew nothing about the case.
Mr.. STEVENS supposed not That was like good many
her things in the report Of the committee They ought
o have known that. That was what he complained OF.
ase No 3 the contract Of Simon stevens for |
al bines. Simon stevens was in no way relative OF
lis, but he constituent of his, aud OF rs high
haracter as any man in the House lie never heard |
mon Stevens attacked before the speech OF the gentle
nan from Massachusetts,. The committee infer and in.
inuate that this was purchase by General Fremont
through Mr. Stevens, when they have direct evidence
yactIy 70 the opposite This was not the way in which
haracters should he destroyed by committees Of this
iouse. The committee complain that they charged
With lying lie had proved that their report false
nd fraudulent, and he now proposed tocall living wit
csscs He read letter Of General Fremonts to the Com
niitee the Conduct Of the War, saying that many
hngs in the report we're false.
Mr.. DAWES. (rep) Of Mass, said that General Fremont
cver offered any testimony before that committee.
Mr. JULIAN, frep) OF lnd said that General Fremont
ered list Of names by which hc proposed to prove the
Mr.. WAsuBrRSE said the Committee on Contracts did |
ot refuse TO receive testimony suppress test
nony and such assertion is false He wanted " know
low General Fremont's testimony got out?
Mr. GoocH (rep) or Mass, said he supposed General
fremont had copy.
Mr.. wAsIBr RSE wanted TO know II that was the way
he committee did bssnessS
Mr. CoIrAx wanted 10 know how the abstract OF tho |
OF the Committee Contracts against |
;eneral Fremont went all over the country
Mr.. WAsBuRSE denied that any such abstract went