The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-12-07
A Petition in Bankruptcy for wizard
and Robson.

A Petition in Bankruptcy for wizard
and Robson.
II was bad day for Poker ScHENcK
when the corruptug current of NORMAN
WIZARDS mind ran into and mingled with
that of the Chairman OF the Ways and
Means Committee.
WIZARD was fraudulent inventor. His
Swimmers held water. His shoe strings
would not tie. The war gave his genius
perniciOus range. lie made on borrowed
capital steel field pieces which the service
ammunition would not M, and which
therefore were worthless to the Govern
ment. He made on other borrowed CAPT
tel gunbOats which were to run on dew,
and which were TO make the shnllowest
Southern rivers cease from armed rebel
lion and give up their stored cotton. But
somehow they did not work. lie made big
car-whccl cannon on stunninglv scientific
principles. which demonstrated the folly
Of all other ordnance, and convicted DAHL
GREN. PARRorr, aud the Fort Pitt founders
of ldocv. But his cannon burst into q
Thousand pieces when fired. lie made
carriages for heavy guns to be worked
from pits. and photographed them lib
orally. The pictures were very convlnc-
ing. but experienced artlllerym"n drew
away from the machines. one Of WARDS
inventions. however, did not fail
He invented POKER ScHENcK ~ the most
efficient agent To put through Congress Il
blseless claim for compensation He swal-
lowed ScuENCK. and the twain went into
business WIZARD put into the copart-
neiship his genius for turning worthless
smooth-borc cast-ron cannon into suppo-
sititiously effective steel-lined ritled guns,
and hts prolific faculty for spawning
claims against the United states. ScHENCK
put in his political aud personal influence.
We grievc to rchearse the fate of the
promising concrrn-hnukruptcv Of prop
crty to the inventor by the adjudication
OF n United states court. and bankrIiptcy
Of reputation To our Minister at the Court
Of st. Jame,s by the adjudication OF the
public opinion Of England ana America.
RourRT {. ScuENCK had largo qualities,
aud We stand with u sincere sorrow at the
bier on winch lea his ruined fame
lie was strong in debate. His perception
was ~ quick ~ lightning. He had bulldog
courage. His tcuacity was uncDnquerahle
And he was generous. genial. witty, and
persuasive. Many who read this Will re-
call scenes I'm the House of Representa-
tivos. in which his power TO maintain u
position and to lead the dimcnlt body was
triumphautly shown. How marvellous aud
how sad II l., that one of the Treasury
borcrs that crawl IN the Federal capital
should have been able TO honeycomb the
pride aud integrity of this largely equipped
man. and scuttlc him so that he has sunk
in dishonor Ikea war ship at her moorngs.
But we have Il Government at Washing
ngtou on which WIZARD has fastened
him-cl through the corruption Of the
head Of the Navy Department. He
has got AN all ance with SECoH RoBEsoN
and contract TO rifle smooth-borc
cannon. under which vast sums of money
have been paid to him. The altered guns
have proved to be utterly worthless when
tested. They have invariably burst 10
pieces. Fortunately for the lives OF the
gunners on or war ships aud the morale
of the crews, these shameful trials If a
charlatau's work were not conducted on
crowded decks. nor in the turrets OF mont
tors. hut ona spit Of sand hy the sea.
The chief Of the Bureau OK Ordnance OF
the Navy has reported against WIAEp and
his guns i'm the most energetic Language.
He SAID in October, 1874: 81 do not hest
tate t. declare that 1t Is impossible to con
vert cast iron smooth bore into an eff
cicnt rife Ivy any system of rining." Yet
WIZARD has continued TO convert them
from that day to this, and his tnkered
guns have continued To burst. and ROBE
sos has continued 10 pay him money.
with his eyes ana those of the public wide
open. the Secretary of the Navy aids
WIZARD to rob the Treasury. He cannot
| plead ignorance of the man or faith in his
inventions or his processes They ARE
! hoary with fraud and wOrthlessness. viii
not the assembling Congress, by prompt
action, throw the firm Of WIZARD and
/ RoREsON into involuntary bankruptcy