The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1872-03-08
Our Immaculate Secretary Of the Navy.

George n. Robeson's sudden rise from
poverty 10 affluence since he became
nominal Secretary Of tho Navy is &C.
counted for by recent developments.
The recent transfer by E. G. Cattell, of
Philadelphia, of $50, 900 worth of Wash
ington city property to Robson was the
first clue. Going behind il, it was found
that Cattell is Philadelphia ship chan.
dler, and brother of ex-senator Cattell,
Of New Jersey, himselfa big contractor,
and that E. G. Cattell, of Philadelphia,
supplies the navy yards at Philadelphia,
Brooklyn, and Mare Island with every
thing that is consumed there, under
contracts awarded him without competi-
ton and without proposals. Robson
would have given him the Washington
navy yard ON the same terms, but Sam
Brown was an incumbent that he could
not dispossess. Now, however, he has
been bought off by a swindling live oak
contract Of 100000 in Louisiana, and
probably after this month Cattell's sway
will include that yard.
Some of the contracts made by Cattell
on behalf Of the Navy Department show
how he became able to transfer Wash.
ington city property to Robson. The
Tennessee Of San Domingo memory,
laid up as worthless since that, her first
service, was built in 1864, in the Brook
Ign yard, and cost $l,5O0,00o there.
Then Porter expended another $250,0OO
on her. Her hull was condemned as
unseaworthy six months ago. Robson
and Cattell secretly, and without pro-
4. ~ =
Sons, New York, to build an entire new
set of engines and machinery for the
rotten steamer Tennessee, Robson and
Cattell agreeing to pay $70O, 900 for the
Job. No Board Of Survey ever con-
demned her present machinery, and
not an engine-builder in the country
save Roach & Sons know the Navy De.
partment ever contemplated such re.
pairs, and engine.builders are unani-
nous in the opinion that there was a
profit of at least $3.50, 900 in the job.
Last winter Congress appropriated
$500, 900 for the building Of two iron
torpedo boats. The contract for sup
plying the iron plates for those boats
has been given by Cattell to Grant
shrieker Of Philadelphia, named Pen
mock. The price to be paid is 1924 a
ton. Any honest iron dealer would
gladly furnish the plates at $3.50 a ton.
It will take l,50O tons for each boat,
and Pennock will make 5000 times the
difference between 1924 and $50, less
his "divvy" with Cattell, Robson &
Co., who are known TO be his partner 9.
Another soft thing is found in the
shipping to California from Philadel-
phia 100000 brick for q storehouse in
the island navy yard. The appropria'
ton is 100000. The bricks were sent
to New York by canal boat, and thence
by ship around Cape Horn, with q
freightage equal to the original cost
When the vessel arrived at her destina
ton she had cargo Of brick dust, not
more than l, 900 bricks remaining whole
The bricks could have been bought in
California at an advance on invoice cos,
in Philadelphia of not more than 10 pei
cent, but ii they had been bought in
California Catteli & Co. could not have
raked in their "divvy."
The last job put up by the Catte!l
Robson ring takes shape in the bill
introduced in the House by Mr.. Town
send for the building of twenty iron
clad sloopsofwar on the broadside prin
ciple. In this job Robson, Cattell 4
Co. expect to realize fortune for each
Of the firm Of Roach & Sons, namely
John Roach, Of New York E. 9. Cat
tell, of Philadelphia; A. 6. Cattell, ex
Senator; George w. Robson, Secretary
of the Navy; Tom Florence and San
Archibald, late of old firm. This enter
prising firm purchased the Chester Iror
and Steel Works just previous to thu
introduction of the Townsend bill TO
twenty iron-clads, to cost $40,OOO,0OO
Robson, who was poor man when prac
ticing law in New jersey, is likely TO b
a very rich man before he quits hi
lucrative Office in Washington.
Dare the Radicals Investigate
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