The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-05-17
now THE PEOPLES MONET rs
sQUANDERED.
Admiral Porter's Miseovernmcnt ofthe Navy
False Pretences, Extravaganza, and
Championships Of War used as Pleas



Admiral Porter's Miseovernmcnt ofthe Navy
False Pretences, Extravaganza, and
Cerruption-ships Of War used as Pleas
ure Yachts.
Corrcsn oudence OF The sun.
WAsuINGToN May 15.-As there lie no
thing to do in the Navy Department but to con.
trive schemes for squandering the peoples
money, Admiral Porter, who runs II as personal
machine, occupies his abundant leisure with
writing letters on every conceivable subject.
One day he gushes out on submarine tclcgraphs
the next in 1attery of some members speech,
whereby he hopes to gain votes for his prodieal
projects; and so on through the calendar. He
must keep before the public on any terms, for
notoriety is his ruling ambition, after an anxious
desire to step into Farraguts shoes. And dur
ing this exhibition, fat and pursy Mr.. Robson,
like little Jacky Horner, Is eating humbepie in
corner Porter issues orders to officers, and signs
them with his own rank, right under the eyes Of
q so-called Secretary, who Is exclusively charged
with that duty by law. But law has no authority
here where interest or favoritism Is TO be served.
Porter has hold on Grant and Grant appointed
Robson to oblige Borie. So we 20.
Feeble the administration Of the navy has been
| at times, but II was never charged before with
the corruption, Partially, and extravaganza that
are now notorious in the service. Il 10 admins
| tered solely for ends Of personal interest, and
without any regard whatever TO the public good
| II is formidable "ring" where jobs are given
out, contracts made, and favoritism INDUCED, for
q valuable consideration. And some Of tho par
ties engaged in this bushes, wear sanctimonious
faces aud preach "moralhy," Just the free
| a Al Mn.
They are strong enough 10 keep column at COM
mand in New York paper but take care to pay
for II out of the public treasury. When Porter is
| pulled, fleets recommended, or honest men
abused, be sure that the thing is dono here in
| Washington. The ear-maris are known, and tho
instruments have been detected, as an investiga-
ton in Congress will sooi establish. The So
called European squadron" or more properly
the Admiraps yachts, has been transferred from
Lisbon TO Spczia, so TO be entirely in the Medi-
| torranean, and TO lounge about the Italian ports
| at pleasure. Admiral Radfcrd Is 10 be retired
and to come home without full cruise, and somc
people think these changes have been made for
| Portcr's accommodation, who has seen no sea
service in the rank Of Yice-Admiral. II he goes,
Of course he will take out his family in frigate
at q cost Of $4,000 day to the nation. Tho old
rule forbidding women on board ships Of war
has been practically abrogated for four years
| past and is now no longer recognized. Admiral
Goldsborough put the Colorado and Frolc at the
service Of lady friend for yachting tour in the
Mediterranean Admiral Farpgut and Commodore
Pcnnock carried out their families in the Frank
lin; Admiral Radford carried out his family after
word in the same ship; and now the captains
under him are initiating these high examples by
cruising about with their wives in easy aud
| elegant style at the public expense.
| Porter and his set are very fond Of quoting
naval precedents in the Old World, as authority
for similar proceedings in our service. Let them
say il England, France, Italy, Russia, Austria, OF
any other monarchical government, permits ships
Of war to be converted into pleasure yachts for
the wives and children of oficcrsp The plain
truth ia, our navy is wholly demoralized, and the
causes are transparent
There is not civilized government on
earth that would have tolerated for day the out
rageous robbery that has been practised al
| Lisbon, with the full knowledge OF the Navy De
| partment, and the profitable collision Of bureau
| men here and other officials on the spot. The
evidence sent to Congress on that subject is ap.
palling, in the exposure OF vcnality and villany,
And yet persistent plan has been pursued to
whitewash the rogucs engaged in this nefariou.
dealing, and to excuse the most monstrous con.
tracts made by bureaus here, through which the
country has been swindled in the grossest man
| ncr
| If appeal be made TO the Naval Committee o.
the House Of Representatives, no redress can be
obtained 1t represents the Department and moi
the people, and is packed in that interest. The
chairman and mcmbcrs are wned and dined, and
otherwise looked after, so that they speak will
the voice Of Porter and his sycophants. But il
will be found that the House itself has stronger
voice, aud that if it fails, the press and the pco
pole will speak out in such thunder tones as vii
be apt to command respect. SPECTATOR.
Disrneli ar n Novelist.
ii r.. 81.