The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1872-03-29
The Robesop Ipv6stigatio,n,,.. ~.


WASHINGTON, March 28.-The Com
mittec TO investigate the charges against
Secretary Robeson met. tonight, all the
members present. .....
Mr.. Archer, appointed in place Of Mr..
VOORHEES,, declined. aas't 5.I IT7
Mr. Robson said he would not employ
counsel, but would be present at all the
meetings of the Committee II possible.
The Secretary then read paper he had
prepared relative to the charges made
against him by the New York Sun and
said that the accusations should assume
some definite shape. II the publisher
should establish tho definite charge he
has made, it would hardly be necessary
for the Committee to proceed farther, but
il he refuses or fails TO sustain them on
his oath and by witnesses, he would stand
before the Committee a convicted and
wantOn libelera 1t would then be for the
Committee 10 determine to what extent
he should be entrusted with the manage.
ment of the case.
Bartlett, counsel for Dana, said they
were desirous to present to the committee
proof the charges in the New York Sun,
as well as other grave charges in regard
to the administration Of the Navy Depar-
ment, and every effort was made to pro-
cure the largest possible scope, that they
might notbe confined to the charges pub.
lished, but bring other charges as grave
and within their knowledge. Il had taken
ono member Ol the cbifmittee four DAYS
10 resign his place. On two successive
evenings the Secretary attended here, and
this was the first they had heard Of what
was 10 be made Of tho .procedHre Of tho
committee. Alter conversation be.
tween the members Mr.. Peters offered
the following resolution: ..,-...
ReS0kreti, That the resolution Of the
committee heretofore adopted, allowing
the editor Of the New York San 10 ap.
pear with counsel and examine witnesses,
is not 10 be construed 10 extend beyond
the evidence 10 sustainth charges against
the Secretary Of the Navy, contained in
the articles heretofore ypublished In that
newspaper. .lgilt.. g.,i. Il fgf. %. 1T.
:, The resolution was adopted, Mr.. Sar-
gent only voting in the negative.
Mr.. Bartlett then called attention to the
statutes authorizing the Secretary of the
Navy TO settle the claims Of Secor 6 Co.,
and Perrinc, Secor & Co., and the subse.
quent payment Of $l15,530 to them. This
was on account the Manhattan, Tecum.
sch, Mahopac and the law, provided it
should be in iull. 10. -,. ,,.rf.,t- ID. .....
MIR. Bartlett reed the orders signed by
John Lenthall for extra pay to those par.
tics on their contracts, amounting to
$62, 2,GO5t TO Secor s. Co., and $50, 400 to
Perrine, Secor & Co. ,... .,s..,
John Lenthall was sworn and was m
terrogated concerning those orders for
extra pay. lie said his understanding
was that Sccor & Co.'s bills were settled
In Wells administration. He did not recol.
lect another instance where a matter set
tied by one administration was opened by
another. He signed the bills under the
orders ol the Secretary of the Nayyl
knowing that there, had been % Board
Of naval officers, in case he had but one
interview with the Secretary of the Navy.
AS TO the payment Of these extra claims.
the Secretary wished 10 know Of him
whether there was any fund out of which
1t could be made. He replied there was
some law in which Secor's name was
mentioned, and informed the Secretary
there was no fund but that Of the current
appropriation lundior the use Of tho bu.
reau. The Secretary made no reply,
The conversation was brief and took
place day or two before the payment
was made. In reply 10 question
by Secretary Robson, the witness
said there had been no concealment about
the payment Of the money. The bill was
paid as other bills were paid. Bills were
paid out Of the money OF the bureau
for construction and repairs when there
was no other money out ofwhich bills
could be paid. He did not hold up To the
Secretary receipt in iull Of these
claims. He never did proclaim
against their payment, and never
said he would dlTpay them without
a written order. HeNoluntarily called on
the Secretary to say that SO far as he was
concerned the published statements In
connection with his name, did him lnjus.
tice. '''g' ''''i s5@ - lf'a n. ..''T'
After further examination, MIR. Bartlett
asked whether Admiral Porter was pres.
ent. .., ,..i .... ..-..-..s ,.. .,'s
The Chairman read letter from the
Admiral saying be could not attend on
account ofsickness, Committee adjourned,
f-Capt George A. BIHelow, owner Of tho block
purchased By tho government for a post once In