The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-01-14
RoTTENNEss IN THE NAVY DEPART
MENT.
A Terrible Exposure by Congressman Beck, Of
Kentucky.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 12-The ma
val appropriation bill then came up, and,
after long-winded, inaudible speech from
Swami. of Maryland, WhitthOrne, of Ten
nessee, took occasion to say that, although
he was a member of the Naval Committee,
he was not aware, at the time the bill to
authorize recruiting for the navy was pend
ing, that the Secretary had been recruit
ing illegally, or that he wished to have his
offense 'condoned, as stated by Garfield
day or two ago, thus presenting another
evidence that the whole thing was put
up job
BECK S EXPOSE.
He was succeeded by Beck, of Kentucky,
who, in addition to thei facts mentioned in
the dispatches last night, showed that, in
spite Of the virtuous protestatiOns Of Con-
gressmen in favor of cutting down appro-
priations, the appropriation of last session,
which it was remarked Immediately fol-
lowed the Presidential election, when the
Republican party achieved an overwhem-
ing triumph, exceeded the estimates of the
Department officials by about $l5 900, 900.
Beck's speech attracted great deal of at
tention at once, and the real thinking mem.
bers of the House thronged about hin
with countenances expressive of amaze.
ment at the strange revelations that were
being made. There was very great COM
motion among those responsible for the
successful.
CoNDoNING OF THE SECRETARY S oFFENsE
and Hale, Maynard, Garfield, Scofeld, and
their confreres gathered and took counse
together in an affrightened sort of way, re
ferring studiously to the book of estimates
the Treasury reports, and the COMPRESSION
al Record. Hale, of Maine, attempted ono,
or twice to throw Beck off the track OF
weaken the force of bis facts by askin.
whether he Beck really feared that Robe
son had misapphed the appropriation fol
the pay Of the navy as charged but BecI
put him at once aside with the remark
that he had no fears he had the fact
that the report of the Secretary Of thu
Treasury showed that in the first quartz
of the year fve-sixths Of the appropriation
had been expended, and that the repor
was sufficient of itself.
GARFIELD's DEFENCE.
After Beck had taken his seat, Garfield
took the floor to defend himself which h
did in way that will not add to his re
nown. He attempted to make severa
sophistries answer his purpose, but the
only weakened his cause He pointed t
the fact that the Secretary had stated in
communication to the House that he wa
recruiting men to fill the ranks, as evi
dence that Robson had confessed that h
was doing so illegally, and asked that tn
wrong be eondoned. This paltry dodgin
was received with incredulous smiles, a
everybody knew that such was not til
case When the letter was written, it wa
supposed that the Navy Department wa
enlsting men to fill up the quota allowe
by law,-nothing more. Referring to tn
fact of
THE INCREASE OF APPROPRIATIONS
over the amount asked by the Secretaries
Garfield, at first attempting to deny il
urged that they were really recommends
by the Secretaries in letters written b
them subsequent to the sending in Of thei
regular estimates, and made great shoV
Of vlrtuous Indignation against what h
characterized as an attempt of the Secre
tary OF the Treasury to shift on to the Ar
preparation Committee resposibilit
which belonged strictly with the Secrets
ries. There is nothing better known I
Gen. Garfield and those conversant wit
the transaction of public business in Wasl
amounts actually necessary for the carry
ing on of the business of the Department
estimated most literally, are put in the al
nual book of estimates, and that subs
quenty Secretaries feel free to recommen
on all accounts by letter. Anybody can g
recommendation from any Secretary fl
any object belonging to the Department
any time through letter, and this is Il
manner in which jobs are put through. The
are not included in the book of estimate
as the amount imperatively needed to ca
ry on the business of the Government, bl
are
CONSIDERED AS EXTRAS;
and, when such subsequent recommend
ton is successful it is regarded as so mut
clear gain. Secretaries will not endang
their demands for money to cover actu
running expenses by making them GOV,
all sorts Of jobs, but they feel at libert
after they have set forth those demands.
recommend other appropriations to proviiG