New-York tribune., 1873-04-11
AN ARMY CONTRACTOR.

Mr. Murphy evinced his great interest in
the vigorous prosecution OF the war OF the rebellion by
sbtaninc several contracts with the Quartermasers
Department He senior partner In the firm OF Murphy
GriswOld and supplied the army depot Of
clothing ana equpage with immense guam
IaN of hats, which persons not familiar with
Mr. Murphys commercial integrity asserted were
vastly inferior TO the samples and an auda-
ciohs fraud upon the Government. An Investigation
ordered, and eleven merchants appointed by
special commissioner OF the War Department. in four
committees, TO examine the Murphy hats in the
Quartermaster's depot. These committees reported
that every dozen OF hats delivered worth from
s. 50 Co so less than the samples Upon these reports the
QuartermastetGeneral ordered his deputy in this city
10 transmit explanation TO Washington. Further in
vestigation however first parred and finally over
Afiidavits produced showing that not
only the hats Of the poorest quality, but that
the contracts had been awarded rreguarly Alfred H.
Hurlburt foreman in the mandatory at Orange n. j.
superintended by sheldon Son from July IL to Nov 49,
1864 and where the Murphy hats made, testified
that the goods bad 70 excite general com
ment among the workmen, ana that OF them would
have been accepted by a private individual Sheldon
partner OF Murphy Grswold. On several oc-
caons Hurburt demonstrated against the quality of
the hats, but Sheldon, declared they
good enough 10 be shot at" A box Of
shayngs occasion shipped as
hats. The hats about 80 cents each. and
msy that the workmen did not dare 10 handle them.
lest they should fall TO pieces George Harrison, an
other maker that the hats were "the worst he
ever saw in his life" Nathan Seeley made another
affidavit showing that the Deputy QuartermasterGen-
eral awarded 10 him, Aug 49, 1868, contract for
2OOOO hats although he had bid for $1,000 Murphy
GrswOd ard Sheathar & NlchOlsl at the time
ceiyed for $4,000 hats each notwithstanding
Seeleys hid three cents lower than that
latter firm, and that Murphy did not bid at ALL II
WIS notorious among business men that Murphy could
get whatever contracts he wanted and be himself
bous,ed of this power Still another affidavit
was introduced. although left unsigned, to
plcte the chain of evidence against Murphy
Henry A. Burr. hat manufacturer, testified that he
OtaIued sample bat from the Deputy Quartermaster
General and also specifications of the ingredients Of the
hats. He made hat according 70 the specifications
and found 1t TO be superior the sample. He had
formed" hats subsequently for Murphy d Griswold
which inferior to the sample. The stock furnished
Burr by this hrm for the purpose Of forming"
part old hats ground up. fur and other
materials could not be used Consequently Murphy
& Griswolds hats not durable. but filled with
Sheiac 10 make them feel stt and plump. William
Dodd. Burrs foreman submitted long affidavit show
lug that the contract awarded to Murphy GrswOd
a rate two cents higher hat than Burr's hid
that the bats furnished by Murphy d Griswold were
worth abOut75 cents apiece less than the sample upon
which Burr hid. and that 1t would be hard TO find a
hat than theirs The aggregate loss To the Gov
eminent estimated by committee S4G2I 30; by
another committee, s625OO; by third committee, S66,
s6G GO; by ii. A. Burr. sl25OO; by William Dodd, $77
COO; and the cap contracts. $4,000.
II was also shown. by the affidavit OF Edward Rob
ins,n "a contractor, that Murphy's influence with
New York Quartermaster sufficient TO prevent his,
Robnson's being allowed TO complete contracts in progs
ress OF fulflment until he had paid him the of
$OO0 osiensby for political purposes and that after
bleeding him ths tune Murphy tried, but failed, TO
make hiln present the Quartermaster with
SsOO carriage, alleging that his own car
rage had been almost out by the
Quarterinaser and his family. Since the original
posuro Of these damaging facts about Murphys
s an army contractor in THE TRIBUNE of Sept a. 1871,
gentleman furnishing them has been pursued by him
and hs whole political clique step, deputy col
lcctors and other subordnates OF the CustOm-hOuSe
magnae occurring the city for anything calculated 10 D
jure him apply without result.