Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-03-08
AxOrmER RADICAL ROBBERY Ex.
ROREn

POSED.
The New York San, q Radical journal,
but most inveterate enemy of the Grant
administration, has exposed a gigantic
swindle perpetrated by Secretary Robson
in the Navy Department. The particulars
are as follows: The close of the civil war
was followed by numerous applications to
Congress for extra allowances, indemnity |
for losses, tt,., on the part of contractors
who had been employed in building IRON
clads for the navy. Many Of these appli-
canfs had realized enormous profits from
their contracts, bet they, nevertheless,
Gained additional sums. Gideon Wells, then
Secretary Of the Navy, refused to entertain
such claims, and the contractors, to the
number Of forty-eigh', Ietihoned Congress
for indemnity and relief They alleged
that the government owed them 81, 100000.
For some three years the matter remained
undecided, but finally claims to the amount
of S225, 500 were allowed, and the money
was paid in July, 1865. Inaccordance with
a provision of the act under which this sum
was paid, receipts in full for all claims
against the United States, were taken from
the contractors. Notwithstanding this fact,
in December, 1870, Secretary Robson re-
opened these accounts without the
authorization of Congress. In spite Of
the expostulations of Mr.. John Leuthall,
then Chief of the Bureau Of Construction,
and under the pretence of making an adj
ditionsl payment to the contractors, the
Secretary Of the Navy drew $4,000 from
the Treasury. Whether it was paid over to
them, or whether Secretary Robeson re-
ceived the benefit Of the money, is a matter
tor conjecture, but In either case he acted
in violation Of the law and plundered the
public treasury. 1t is useless to look for an
investigation of the fraud, for all the Radi-
cal Congressman who can conveniently be
spared for the purpose, have
been busy ever since the commence
ment of the session in whitewash'
ing the lazar house of the administration
a theft involving the loss of only $93, 900
is too insignificant for investigation, wher
the Custonhouse frauds and the French
arms scandal remain to be settled. /
surely serves to "pOint moral" Of thu
times, and to show how utterly corrupt il
the Grant administration. Not a solitar!
department has escaped the dry rot Of Rad
icalsm. Every stall in the Augean stabl,
is foul to putrefactiOn, and can only b
cleansed by turning the pure current o
Democracy into its every nook and corner
In subsequent issue the Sun reiterate
its serious charge against Secretary Robe
son, and asks with emphasis, "What ough
to be done with this great crininal?" Tn
Sun answers its own question as follows
"Robeson should not be suffered to resign
He is no common offender, and he shout
have no common punishment. He ha
S been raised, without any talent or merit 0
: bis own, TO one of the chief places in thi
-. nation. The President has made him on
of his Cabinet Ministers, and has put int
) his hands a large part of the EXecutiv
. ] pONGI- LIS pOhSi AiC Ito uoCA W CAAA ~
= himself and his cOnfederates by giganti
e stealing from the people. He should b
= impeached by the House Of Represent;
: tives, brought to trial before the Senate, an
l. punished on conviction to the full extent {
5, the law. That is the only adequate metl
Il cd of dealing with his offences. his triI
Al need not be long. The evidence is clea
e abundant, irresistible, and can be immed
it ately brought forward. Most Of 1t is TO |
e, found in the records and among the of
e GERS and subOrdiBateS Of the Navy Depar
ment.
"Robeson's impeachment is necessar
not merely in the interest, of justice, but
that Of public morals also. II this gre
70 tide Of political corruption and public ro
q bery-which began to overflow Washingtt
with the advent Of Grants administratio
49, lust as it overlooked New York with Il
a adoption of Tweed's Charters to
~ thoroughly arrested and turned back,
20 striking example must be made of tho
who are conspicuously guilty; and amol
4 them all none is more guilty or more CO
N spicuous than George NJ. Robson"