The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-04-23
pnAr rs aorxe ON IN wAsH1sd ros
Bx.r-,.sane, sss csfraptisa IN are Navy
The Income Tax to BIO Mnihtaihed-A
Russian Sow.

81
Bxsr.Y.aaneo sss Csfrsptiss IN the Navy
The Income Tax to BIO Msihtaihed-A
Rassian Spy
Ccrcsfohdcncc Of The stn.
WAsuISuroN, April 23.-TEe Navy will
bd sharply ovcrlahed for hscx,ravogance and
corruption which are SO conspicuous in its adj
minstration, when the Appropriation bill gets
Icfote tile House Of Representatives. Although
the estimates which admiral porier sent in have
been cut down one.half there is still'grest room
for economy and reduction
What Do We want with large ard expensive
squadron in the Mediterranean 1t is nothing
more than grand Yachting expedition at the
expense Of the American people, without utility ]
Of uny kind and only kept up for the conve- 4
nicnce Of pet Admirals and fhwring officers.
During the rebellion, when our commerce was
assailcd on every sea aud enormous dcpreda-
tions committed, there were but two or three
vessels in the European waters to give it
nominal protection, and they were wholly unfit
for the purpose. And now in time Of peace,
when there is not ripple on the surface of our
foreign relations, splendid squadrons are sent
abroad 70 loitcr In the pleasant ports of Italy,
with q Gag ship for the favored Admiral, which
alone costs this overtaxed country more than
$4,000 day Aud yet We are prating about re-
trenchmcnt.
This is not the worst side Of the case. In addi-
ton to the regular expenses Of these 'Ounging
squadrons abroad which are shameful in the
present state Of taxation, it has been demon
strated by the most conclusive proof that we have
paid md paying 10 swindling contractors
abroad, and their confederates in and sbout the
more than other navies for all the principal sup
plies. And when these frauds have been brought
to the notice Of the Department and directly ex.
posed, has there been any attempt TO correct
them, or TO rebuke the officers engaged in such
venal Transactions, or even TO investigate them 2
Not at all. The only persons eensured were
those who sought TO protect the public against
| barefaced venality and audacious plumber. The
others were absolutely encouraged to 90 on, until
this corruption and Generalization have dis
| graccd the service, and awakened the indgna-
ton Of Congress. And from the developments
| made In official documents, there is abundant
reason TO believe that some Of the bureaus In
| Washington, where outrageous contracts have
| been made, are concerned in the spoils, though
thus tar protected by an affected sanetity. Tens
body's pocket for jobs and purchases at 25 and
90 per cent above the market prices at the places
where they were made. What was the motive
for contracts at such exorbtant ratesS
Some four millions Of dollars are reported in
the Navy bill as it stands Tor pay Of officers.
Now, allowing every officer in the service full pay
at sea, which is the highest rate, the aggregate
would be still about million less than the sum
| proposed to be appropriated. Tie explanation
Of this extraordinary fact is simple enough. Con-
| gress passed law intended TO do away with Ger.
tain extra allowances, and to fix the salaries pre-
escly. Mr.. Welles, then Secretary Of the Navy,
thereupon issued an order in which he assumed
to allow all officers 93I1 per cent. in addition to
their pay, not only without the least color of law,
but distinctly in violation Of it. And that illegal
allowance has been continued ever since.
The Naval Committees of Congress really
| represent the Department and the service, and
not the people or the public welfare. They are
only so many echoes OF Porter and the crowd
| who surround hrs. They are dintd and wiued
for that purpose only. Hence they either sup
port or wink at all notorious abuses Mr.. SEQ.
I field, Chairman Of the House Committee, will be
held TO a strict account for his part Of these
| matters.
Although the pressure is strong against the in
come tax from all parts the country, the Com
mittces In Congress are indsposed TO yield the
| point, and will only surrender by compulson.
In fact, there appears to be fixed purpose to
hold on TO taxation in every form, without regard
to consequences in order TO carry out the narrow
policy of a few small minds, by which the inter.
est Of capital is TO be enriched at the expense Of
all others, and the whole burdens Of the war
saldlcd upon the shoulders Of those who sacri.
feed blood and treasure to make it successful.
Mr. 0rth's report on the Paraguay investigation
is ready, and completely sustains the late Minis
ter, Mr.. WDshburn, and visits with such severe
rcproof the conduct ofAdmirals Davis and Godon,
that the Department can hardly fail to notice ii
officially.
1t is perfectly true that sort Of spy is attached
to the Russian service here and has been fer some
| time past. The only harm he has been able TO
do thus fari not very serious, though intended TO
| make mischief Several families and diplomats
have received anonymous letters designed to dis
turb their peace but ley are all traceable to this
| poor creature, who is a foreigner known 10 be
capable Of any meanness though heretofore toll
Grated and supported almost by the charity Of
some Of our too kind people. If the Cars Gov
eminent expects to profit by sucA knavery, it
may discover the mistake before long, for one So
base is not apt to be faithful to q single master,
if he be tempted elsewhere. Prince GortchakoG,
who is a statesman and profcssed friend Of the
United States, should not permit his Legation
here to countenance any such infamy as this,
| which has now become as offensive as IT is notOri.
Gus to this community We have nothing to
conceal and therefore this treachcrous and
vicious sort Of diplomacy, which belongs to an
other age and people, is in every sense an out
rage that had better be suppressed by those who
| favor il, SPECTATOR.
1MUSEMENTS
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