New-York tribune., 1874-05-05
THE SANBORN REPORT.

The report of the Ways and Means Com
mittee in relation to the Sanborn contracts
gives no important facts which have not al
ready been published in THE TRIBUNE, and
draws no conclusions except those which we
have repeatedly deduced from the testimony.
II is nevertheless an interesting and valuable
document, for it sets forth with great clear
ness and in a tone of admirable impartiality the
true character of the proceedings under which
Mr.. Sanborn drew such large sum of money
from the public treasury. How he was allowed to
take half the proceeds of taxes which he had
no share in collecting; how he used the
officers of the Government as his private
assistants; how he availed himself of informa-
ton collected at the Government expense, ana
already made the; basis of suits at law, TO
swell his profits under these extraordinary
contracts; how he began his operations, III
collision with certain revenue officers, as soon
as the law was passed. and before he had any
contract at all how in at least one instance
he collected taxes for which he had no con-
tract and how somebody in the Treasury De-
narfment cOnnyed at his practices and gave
him such private information as he needed 10
increase his improper gains-all these things,
told from time to time in our columns are
repeated and emphasized in the official report.
Upon the question of responsibility no new
light has been thrown. 1t is conceded that no
evidence has been introduced to impeach the
integrity of Mr.. Boutwell,, Mr.. Richardson, Mr..
Sawyer or Mr.. Baniield; and in justice to the
present officers of the Department it is re-
marked that the contracts were made and III
force when Mr.. Richardson came into office.
But about the gross carclessness of all the
functionares concerned there can be no doubt.
Mr. Boutwell, directed that parties applying for
contracts should set forth to his satisfaction in
written statement under oath the character
" in detail of the claim, the name OF the per-
"son, firm, or corporation Withholding the
"money, the laws by the violation of which
the money had been withheld, and the evil
"dence by which the claim was to be sup
"ported.n The Committee significantly add
that this requirement was in exact conformity
to the law, but they are unable to find in
"any case that the conditions were complied
"with.r Why they were not complied
with the Committee perhaps did not
think it necessary to inquire, inasmuch
rs Mr.. Boutwell, is no longer Secretary. AS
for Messrs. Richardson. Sawyer, and Banfeld,
Committee speak with half-cOncealed contempt
of the Secretary's ignorance, and with some
what like disgust of the disagreements and
contradictions of all three, and their attempts
to throw the burden of blame upon one an
other; and they make the refreshingly plain
remark that "while the Committee are un-
cable to determine where the responsibility
"rests, they cannot in justice to themselves
"ignore the fact that these three persons de-
"serve severe condemnation for the manner in
(which they have allowed this law to be ad-
ministered."
In any other country but our own, a report
like this could lead to only one result. The
inculpated officials would be removed. We
do not imagine for moment that Gen.
Grant will turn out Secretary who happens
to suit him personally, merely because he has
been proved unfit for the place. When a
public officer falls into disgrace, Gen. Grants
custom is either to promote him or give him
recommendation. Unless the House of
Representatives should dissent from the re-
port, however, it is surely not unreasonable
to think that these three persons" may judge
it proper to resign. If they do not, resOlu-
ton of the House will be in order.