Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-29
robson.
He Deflantly Courts Investigation
And Gets Much More than He Wants.

WASHINGTON, March 2S-The com
mittee TO investigate the charges agains
Secretary Robson met tonight, all the
members present. Mr.. Robson said he
would not employ counsel but intended tt
be present at all the meetings Of the com
mittee if possible.
The Secretary then read a paper he had
prepared in relation to the charges made
against him by the Sun and insisted that
accusations should assume some definite
shape before the committee, and his accuser
who had not scrUpledto produce them be-
fore the public, should be first called on to
make them good or abjure them under oath.
If the publisher should establish the
definite charge he has made, it would hard
ly be necessary for the committee to 60
further, but if he refuse or fail to sustain
them by oath and witnesses, he would stand
before the committee a convicted and
wanton libeler. 1t would then be for the
committee to determine to what extent he
should be entrusted with the management
Of the case.
Bartlett, counsel for Dana, said they
were DESTROYS to present to the Committee
proof of the charges in the New York Sun,
as well as
Other Grave Charges
in regard to the administration of the Navy
Department, and every effort made was to
procure the largest possible scope, that they
might not be confined to the charges
published, but other charges as grave and
within their knowledge. 1t had taken one
member of the committee four days to re
sign his place. On two successive evenings
the Secretary Of navy attended here and
this was the first they heard Of what was
to be made Of the procedure of the COM
mittee.
After conversation between the mem
bers Mr.. Peters offered the following reso-
luton:
Resolved, That the resolution of the
committee heretofore adopted allowing the
editor Of the San TO appear with counsel and
examine witnesses is not to be construed to
extend beyond the evidence to sustain the
charges against the Secretary of the Navy
contained IL the articles heretofore pub
lished in that newspaper.
The resolution was adopted, Mr.. Sargent
only voting in the negative.
Mr.. Bartlett then called attention to the
statues authorizing the Secretary Of the
Navy to settle the claims of Secor & Co.,
and PerTine, SecOr q Co., and the subse-
quent payment of Sl15,539 to them. This
was an account of the Manhattan, Tecum-
sch and MahapaC, and the law provides it
should be in full.
Mr.. Bartlett then read orders signed by
Jno. Linthal, Chief Of the Bureau of Con-
structiOn and Repairs, for extra pay TO those
parties on their contracts amounting TO
So, GG5 to Secor IL Co., and $30,45l to
Perrine, Secor d Co,
John Linthal was sworn, and was inter
rOgated concerning those orders fo- extra
pay. He said his understanding was that
Secor j. Co.'s bills were settled
under Wells administration, and
did not recollect another instance
where a matter settled by one administra-
ton was opened by another. Signed bills
under order Of the Secretary of the Navy
knowing there had been a board of naval
officers in the case. He had had but one
interview with the Secretary of the Navy
as to the payment Of this extra
claim. The Secretary wished to
know Of m whether there was any fund
out Of which money could be paid. He
replied there was some law in which Secor's
name was mentioned, and informed the
Secretary that there was no fund but that
of the current appropriation for the
use of the bureau. The Secretary
made no reply. - The conversation
was brief and tookp &c day or two before
payment as made. 20
In reply to aquesJio Iof Secretary Rooe-
son, tie witness said there was no conceal
ment about the payment of money. The
bill was paid as other bills were paid. The
Il. r
81 reau of Construction and Repairs, when
bills could be pad.
After further examination Bartlett asked
whether Admiral Porter was present.
The chairman read letter from Porter
saying he could not attend on account of
sickness.
The Committee then adjourned.