New-York tribune., 1874-04-01
WASHINGTON.
THE SANRORN INQUIRY.


BUT LAMENTABLy IGNORANT OF THE DEPART
MENr BUsINEss-MR. DOUGLASS KEPT IN IGNo-
RANCE OF THE sANBORN MATTER-AssIsrANI
SECRETARY SAWYER 10 BIZ EXAMINED TO-DAY
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON. March 31.-Whatever the Commit
Zee on Ways and Means may have thought before,
IL is very certain there is not single member
who believes that Secretary Richardson was infiu-
anced by Improper motives in what he did
IN an official capacity in connection with the
Sanborn contracts His giving an extraordinary
and unlawful authority TO private Individuals his
disregard of the rights of officers recognized by law;
his proceedings outside of all usage rule of GUS
tom; his conceament of facts from his bureau Off
GERS specially intrusted with the class of business
under consideration; his favoritism in awarding
contracts; and his want of attention to current
business must not be attributed hereafter to any i'm
proper motive. Two words according to his own
pitifu confession to-day explain his singular and
extraordinary conduct namely, ignorance and III
competency.
The Secretary was before the Committee for
nearly an hour this morning, and during that time
his appearance was such as to excite the compassion
of every member of the Committee. lie was ques-
toned by several of the members, but the testimony
may be. searched in vain for any INDICATION OF
The slightest knowledge or experience as to business
before the Department OF the manner OF conducting
H. alike in important matters and small ones Such
sncxcusabe ignorance as TO the business OF the Dc
partmcnt was probably never heard OF, and
there is not an intelligent man IN private life
who would not have given as muoh IN
formation to the Committee as the Secretary
of the Treasury. Although he has been In the
Departrnent as Secretary and Assistant Secretary
for more than four years, it was said to-day that
there was not a clerk in Office who could not have
given more of an insight into the business than MI
Richardson. So unfsvorable showing did he make
for himself that the Committee were compelled TO
believe that he was either improperly influenced OF
was hopelessly ignorant and incompetent. 1hey
chose the latter, and Mr. Richardson stands De-
fore the Committee as pure and upright man.
Taking his whole testimony, and examining IT
rarefully the fact that will present itself stronger
than any other will be that the only thing the Sec
retary knew in connection with his duties was to
sign his name; that twas the only thing he could
understand. lie said the work in the Depart
rnent was too arduous TO allow him to
look at details; that he could not read
the papers presented 10 him, and he
signed all matters in connection with the Sanborn
matter without reading them. He went even fur-
Thor and said that subject or a case could never
roIne before him unless a subordinate fit to call
II to his attention. This was his answer to
one question. Then the clerks and subordinate
officers are really running your Department. Not
altogether" the reply. He said he was opposed
10 contracts and always had been but almost IN the
next breath he said he had not known anything
shout these Sanborn contracts until latey that he
has no doubt that the Committee knew
more than he did, and that he knows more
about them now than he did before. " He had not
Examined the law, because the first contract was
,igned by Mr.. Boutwell,, his predecessor. He said
more important matters than these contracts were
constantly before the Department and required his
,ignature daily that he signed everything that was
presented to him. if it had the proper marks on it.
His testimony was not very favorable to Mr.. Ban
beld the Solicitor. for by implication be held Ban
Geld responsible for the whole contract business.
He said that if he & had devoted his
whole time TO the matter, he could
probably have understood : it, but there
was so much for him to do that be had to meet that
like everything else. Ii would naturally occur to q
quicker and better mind, one having little wider
scope of comprehension, that if the Secretary
was too busy TO give the subject the atten-
hon it deserved, he might have turned the whole
business over TO the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue, whose every officer and employe was
fitted 10 understand it from practice, instruction,
and common instincts. The Secretary, on the con-
tTary kept the matter and all information away
from the Commissioner, as though his touch were
blighting.
Commissioner Douglass himself, to-day testified
that he was never consulted that the matter never
came under his attention; and that he never saw
the contract aud had no difficulty in collecting the
rlass of taxes referred TO in the contracts the
whole subject seems to have been purposely
kept out of his sight He had no knowledge
of the Secreb. Service ' Bureau Division,
nor the manner in which il is conducted yet there
are official commissions in existence from that bu-
reau given 10 detectives hired and paid by private
citizen. There is scarcely q family or business
man in the land who would not concede to any
demand the holder of such o commission
might make yet the Secretary says the Secret Ser
vice Division OF Bureau Is entirely in the hands of
the Solicitor The Secretary signs drafts for $4,000
or $4,000 payable TO Sanborn after the proceedings
had been begun by the Ways and Means Committee,
and yet he does not know it, and never aske about
it. lie signs an order TO regular officers Of the Gov
eTnment, nominated by the President, confirmed by
the Senate, and under heavy bonds, to assist" the
detectives Of private individuals in the examination
of books and the collection Of money 30 per cent of
which goes 10 the employer of the detective, and yet
the Secretary does know when he is doing it, aud
says he signs more important papers, without read
ing them, every day.
The Secretary characterized the signing Of the
contracts as routine acts.p He had finally been
hoping that Congress would repeal the law 30 that
be might annui the contracts and turn over
the balance Of the work to Commissioner
Douglass He recommended the unconditional
repeal OF the act. When he had finished, although
he had east no light upon the subject member of
the Committee offered TO cross-examine him, feel
ing compassion for him. Mr. Beck, during Mr..
hiah foilO Oyyph pas