The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-30
ExIt Hardenbergh.

We publish to-day statement by Con-
gresham HARDENBERGH of New Jersey,
in which he attempts TO explain his extra
ordinary course rs Il member of the House
Of Representatives in relation TO SECoR
RoBEsoN's frauds and the District OF
Columbia Ring. We give in his own words,
the most important points of the eXplana-
ton made TO one of our reporters, and we
presume that this defence is as strong a
one AS it is possible for him TO make.
II should utterly fail TO satisfy his con-
stitucnts: it certainly will fail 10 remstate
him IN the confidence Of his fellow Repre-
sentatives IN Congress, who regard him rs
untrustworthy aud As n stumbling block in
the path of reform
Tho facts ia the case are very simple.
After thorough investigation into the
management of the Navy Department,
and the examination OF hundreds Of wit
nesses under oath, the House Committee
on Naval Affairs found that from his first
entrance into Office, SEcoR robson had
habitually violated the laws of the country;
that corruption and jobbery peryaded
every bureau aud every navy yard; that
by his incompetence and extravaganza he
had used millions and millions of the
public funds with only ruined navy TO
show as the result and that he had unlaw-
fullytaken money belonging to the Govern
ment TO bolster up bankrupt banking
house. Tie evidence had been printed,
and Mr.. HARDENBERGH knew that there
was proof enough against the dishonored
Secretary 10 send him to the penitentiary.
Yet, when the committee reported an eX-
ceedingly mild resolution referring the
evidence to the Judiciary Committee with
a view of procuring his Impeachment. Mr.
HARDEN BERGH flew To his rescue. aud un-
der the pretenoe OF vindicating the honor
of New Jersey, delivered ridiculous, high
flown eulogy upon the larcenous official,
which astounded the Democrats in the
House and gave unbounded comfort to all
the supporters of the present corrupt Adj
ministiation.
The excuse that Mr.. HARDENBERGH gives
for his action in this case is, that he desired
the immediate Impeachment OF RoBEsoN;
but Il our readers win take the trouble TO
peruse his speech. which we print to-day
from the official record, we think they will
admit that if such was his purpose, he took
n very peculiar way to show il. We can
assure MIN lnhl the tenderness he maui
tested for SECoR RoBEsoN's reputation is
not shared by the people Of New Jersey,
who know the Secretary for a brazen fraud,
a corrupter of politics, a iObber, and dis
grace to that sturdy little Commonwealth.
When it came to voting on the resolution
to refer the evidence to the Judiciary Com
mittee, Mr. HARDENBERGH lodged.
The explanation which the member
from New Jersey gives OF his action upon
District OF Columbia affairs is still more
discredltable. 1t is in effect that he
did not know as much about the case
as other members Of the Committee
on the District Of Columbia, and therefore
he felt bound to set himself in opposition
to the judgment of the Chairman, who
had devoted months OF time to a thorough
inquiry into the proceedings of the Dis
trict Commission AS IA result Of this III
curry 1t was found that the management
| Of District affairs under the existing com
mission IA rs bad US IL ever was under Boss
! SHEPHERD, who IN fact Is still the real head
| Of the Government there; that tho laws
| had Eecn violated and the Treasury robbed
| for the benefit Of the Ring.
Mr.. BCCKNER, Chairman Of the commit
tee, made II report showing the true con-
diticn Of affairs and recommending the
| prosecution of the Commissioners on their
| bonds for nipfeasanoe and unfaihfulness
" tAe djytVgf u lHs.r dal'es, aHd was