The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-03
The Vote on Robeson's Corruption.

The Vote on Robeson's Corruption.
Mr.. wurrrnoRNE. Chairman Of the Naval
Committee, rendered valuable service to
tho country in his able, clear, and con-
elusive speech on Monday, condensing
the results of the investigation. As a sup
plement to his report, and an answer to
the false charges, subterfuges, aud lies Of
RoBEsoN's defenders In the House, 10 was
In every respect crushing. He showed that
the inquiry had been conducted on plan
adopted at the start, which was rendered
indispensable by the extent and nature Of
the matters TO be examined; that the
Secretary had every facility extended TO
him; that no had the testimony in his
hands since the first of May; and that the
minority had full power to call every wit
ness they required.
1t became necessary to close the doors Of
the committee during the early stages of
the investigation, in order to protect Of
fcers, mechanics, and laboring men from
the vengeance OF robson and his crea-
lures in the bureaus, who pursued with
bitter malignity every employed who ex-
posed the frauds that he was compelled 10
witness. On this point Mr.. WHIrTHoRNE
said
"sr, have seen stout. hardy men (mechanics),
with tears running down their cheeks. BEGGING
me, for the sake OF the bread OF their wives
haI,rI I' OF examnation before the committee.
When | have witnessed this have felt " TO be
my AUX S 20 see Inc tbe
and laborers OF our navy yards. This has been
tho prime reason for conducting the examina-
tion as we have DONE
This sort of intimidation has been prac-
tised by the President and the Cabinet all
through the investigations. Every witness
who was willing TO tell the truth, and who
had the courage TO stand up against the
threats OF the White House, was pursued
with n dastardly resentment and made to
feel the strong hand of power. CUSTER
was grossly iusulted because he testified
against BELKNAP. whom GRANT still pro-
claims "innocent."
When Mr.. WHITTHoRNE concluded his
review Of the corruption in the navy, md
Of Cattellism." which robson had in
troduced into its management. the minori-
ty, headed by Mr.. HARRIS of Massac husetts,
who has championed RoBEsoN with the
zeal Of a retained attorney, attempted to
avoid vote on the resolution which they
had reported in these words:
Resoirsd That IN this Investigation no frsud corup
Won, or Win N9lauon OF me law mss besn snown or
NJ NoursoS white in dscharee OF lie duties OF secree
ahd "pi Si Is soadact Ia Se ad@nisraioS Of the
NAVY Department"
Mr.. CoNeER, Mr.. HALE, Mr.. WILSON Of
Iowa. and other leaders, resortcd to par
liamentary tricks and bubbles, in the hope
| OF escaping the record on this whitewash-
ing resolution, which is VIGOROUSLY false
in all its assertions. But the pressure was
too strong, and they were compelled TO
face the music. Only one-half the Repub-
| licans could be driven into line, and the
vote stood-yeas, 81; nays, 10. GARFIELD,
KAssoN and others, who had previously
spoken for robson, and justified his vio-
lations OF law and his jobbery, were con-
veniently absent on the test. They sneak
ed out Of the back doors and left the bur
den and heat Of the day 10 fall on the col
ored patriots and those who did not dare
to bulge from their seats.
Only three Republicans voted against
the WITHDRAWING proposition, and but
one sustained the majority, Mr.. PIERCE OF
Massa chusetts. The resolution referring
the legal questions, together with all the
proof, 10 the judiciary Committee, to re-
port whether the violations of law are i'm
| peachable offences, and, II so, TO report ar
ticles Of impeachment against robson,
was then passed by 100 against "a. On this
division the Republicans increased their
aggregate twenty votes, and the Demo-
Gratis fell of eleven votes, on the belief,
doubtless, that the first test settled the
question.
The judgment OF the House has thus
fairly been rendered by test vote OF more
than two TO one, on the direct question OF
acquitting SEcoR RoBKsoN OF fraud. cor
uption, or wilful violation of the law
II now remains with the judiciary Com
mittee to determine If the crimes aud cor
ruption Of robson are improbable un-
der the Constitution, and TO follow up thelI
decision by practical measures TO bring hin
to justice.
| All the facts are before the country, and
the popular verdict is already pronounced
If BELKSAP is guilty, robson is far NOR,
SO, for he has not only grown rich and
made the fortunes OF his confederates il
Cattellism," but he has demoralized thu
service at home and abroad, ruined tn,
navy, and left the country defenceless
after squandering and stealing some tive
hundred and ten millions of dollars il
seven years. 1t is At that the Secretary o
the Navy should be branded, as the Score
tary Of War has been, so that they may
stand out ms warnings TO other rogues wh'
are only checked by dread Of punish
ment, and not by any aversion TO crime O.
corruption.