The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-03-05
WHAT ~ soIve ON IN WAsaISsgOE
The Gold Psnic Repert-Thc fresiAenrs
Broth re Bankcr-Mr. Pomeroy nnd = e'r-
. rs ncc-nr. Rebeson's shameful foss-
tten IN the Navy Department

The Gold Psnie Repsrt-Tbo Presidents
Broth re Bankcr-Mr. Pomeroy nnd = e'r-
. rs prc-nr. Rebeson's shameful Poss-
ten IN the Navy Department.
Correspondence Of The sun.
WASHINGTON, March 4.--Whoover will
,ato the pains to examine with care the testimony
before the Committee charged with investigating
the gold panic Of September last, will see that In
spite of all the whiiewashing cndcavors of the
Chairman and his assistants the convenient me
mories Of some OF the interested witnesses, and
the disappearance Of the most important part oil
the Grant family correspondence, there Is much
that is mysterious, suspicious, and damaging to
the occupants Of the White House, male and fe'
male. Ii Is demonstrated beyond oil doubt that
they knew large speculation was on foot, and
that they were 10 benefit BY it, at least partially
Mr.. Corbiu did not succeed In covering up those
tracks, with all his srtfnl and evasive answers,
and with all his desire TO be reinstated in the
Cruces OF the Presidential household, where he
lost caste for having been detected in his sharp
operations. The refusal Of Gen. Grant and his
wife and sister to make any statement before the
Committee may be considered very polite in
some quarters but with rejecting people, the
failure TO explain satisfactorily the transactions
with Corbin and Company cannot but leave a bad
impression. especially after the mcrceuary melt
nations which have been so painfully evident In
those quarters.
II is no secret here or elsewhere in well in.
formed circles that the President has received
at least quarter Of million Of dollars in the
form Of substantial presents, to say nothing Of
the stocks in speculative enterprises which have
been donated to him and his staff to secure their
favor. An inquiry Of this kind, If fully answered,
would disclose some interesting information.
A curious fact is current in these parts, which
illustrates tho general practice and principles Of
those high in authority. 1t is stated that a
brother Of the President not very long ago had n
note discounted at one Of the national banks IN
New York, which happened 10 be the depository
Of the L. s. consular fund. That note was not
paid when due, and therefore the usual notice
was Issued. The person concerned came to
Washington. made his statement, aud the note
was paid; but the consular deposits were imme-
dately uftcrward transferred 10 the banker Selig.
mann, favorite with Gen. butterheld and at the
White House. For what reason this change was
made some people will not be at a loss TO imagine.
That is the way business is now done in Wash
ington.
That virtuous patriot, Mr.. Pomcroy of Kansas,
who reports all the magnificent railroad jobs
aud other fat things, is very much concerned
about Temperance in this community, just az he
is exercised about suffering humanity" when
ever 1t can be made profitable. That Senator
canno; be ignorant of what everybody else
knows, nor is ne entitled to the privilege Of VENT.
litng these cheap shnms without criticism. Al.
though spirtuous liquors are prohibited for sale
at the Capitol it is notorious that they are daily
sold in large quantities at the restaurants Of both
the Senate aud the House, right under the eyes
OF Mr. Pomcroy and the professed champions Of
temperance some Of whom may be seen there
occasionally, seeking consolation for their Con
gressiopal sulferings. The only difference be-
tween those restaurants and the ordinary taverns
il, that strong drinks are served by the former
in china mugs instead of tumblers This is the
only disguise effected, and from it may be gath.
cred how much zeal aud sincerity enter into the
movement Of Mr. Pomcroy. The public morals
are more outraged by a single one of the schemes
which he has reported from the Committee on
Public Lands than by all the drinking OF Wash.
ington for decade. Yet be is very much
shocked NJ the sale of toddes, but quite recon.
cilcd whom several millions Of acres Of the poo
pies lands get into the grip of piunderng ring,
which IS largely represented in Congrc-+, aud
on some Of the most important committees.
\ strong feeling is excited against the Navy,
not only for its incompetent administration, but
for the gross extravaganza and apparent corrup.
ton vi some of the bureaus. where contract.
tayc been made in wilful disregard of the public
interest and in defiance Of every safe rule oil
policy. The part which Mr.. Robson consents Ia
play would be most Illuminating and unworthy in
| any man Of ordinary sclf-rcspec'. lie came here
as sort Of rcSiduary legatec Of Mr. Burie
with large promises Of reform, and very ont.
| spoken views Of abuses. But the Ring soon
discovered how he was to he captured and con.
| troled, and series Of dinners did the business
| Since then, he has boon sort of signing clerk
| to Admiral Porter, who has become 50 auto
| cratic that he now issues orders 10 subordnate
| signed with his own name, though he has not q
| particle Of authority for any such proceeding
But If an officer should resist, he would be or.
| dered TO sea or 10 some irksome station. and
hence these illegal acts are tolerated The
Committees on Naval Affairs IN Congress can.
not be said to represent the people or the public
interests. They are for the Navy first and last.
eat naval dinners. drink naval wine, smoke naval
cigars, and swear by Robson, Porter, and their
followers Hence millions upon millions arr
squandered and stolen by pets and pluudcrcrs.