National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-07-27

citizens, instead of the censure bestowed
upon him by the majority of the commit
tee, commentator and thanks for what he
has accomplished, with the limited means
at his command, in putting the navy in
as good o condition as it is at the present
time.
The majority charge the Secretary with
violation of law and with unwise expendi-
lures in causing certain naval vessels to be
rebuilt. But the minority adduce album
dant proof that the action of the Secretary
was not only legal but was most judicious,
prudent and economical; that his action in
this matter has saved to the navy large
number of vessels that would otherwise
soon have become useless, and has at a
comparatively moderate expense increased
the efficiency of our naval force. The vim
dication of the policy of the Navy Depart
ment in rebuilding naval vessels is thor
oughly indicated by the minority report.
The majority charge the Secretary with
improperly using old material in this work
of rebuilding vessels, but the minority re-
port conclusively demonstrates not only
that this action of the Secretary was judi
cious, but that it was specifically author
lied by Congress.
One of the most serious charges made by
the majority is that the Secretary had in
dulged in favoritism to contractors, and
they more than insinuate that he has been
influenced by corrupt motives in awarding
naval contracts. There is not scintllla OF
evidence to support this accusation. Not a
single witness examined by the committee
could or did swear to single fact tending
to show that the Secretary had ever, direct
ly or Indirectly, interfered with the bust
ness of purchases or contracts, or that he
had eyer profited to the amount of single
dollar through any one of them. The tes-
timoDy of twenty. four witnesses of the
highest character and rank was entirely
concurrent, they all asserting that the Sec
rotary Of the Navy had not, in any instance,
endeavored to influence any contract or
purchase. The testimony relative to the
much talked-of speculations of Mr.. E. G..
Cattell clearly shows that the Secretary of
the Navy was neither responsible for nor
aware of the character of his operations,
and that the moment he was advised of
them he vigorously interposed to prevent
their continuance. The refutation of the
charges made by the majority on this sub
ject is complete, and the exoneration of the
Secretary is certainly all that he could de-
sire.
1t is made evident by the testimony, and
by the statement of the minority of the
committee, that whatever abuses exist in
the matter Of purchases and contracts in
the navy are made possible by the defects
inherent in system established and long
sanctioned by law, and for which the law
making power is solely responsible.
The charge that the Secretary had i'm
properly used materials and labor of Gov
eminent employees in the manufacture of
articles for his own private use is shown
by the most positive evidence to be wholly
unsupported by facts, and in its character
frivolous and contemplate.
The sale of the Philadelphia navy yard,
which the majority severely criticise, is
shown by the minority report to have been
conducted in strict accordance with law,
and, so far as the Secretary of the Navy is
concerned, to the best interest of the Gov
eminent. The charge that political infiu-
ences controlled the appointments in the
navy yards of the country is very fully
met by the minority report, which shows
that this system was originated and fos
tered by previous Democratic Administra-
lions, and that the only effort ever made to
check or circumscribe it has been made
under Republican Administrations; and
that for the use of political influence in
making these appointments and dispensing
favors the members of Congress are more
directly responsible than the Secretary of
the Nav or any other administrative off
Ger.
The IL, Jyrity arraigned the Secretary
for having adjusted certain old claims
against the Government, but the minority
report shows that in every such instance
the Secretary has acted entirely within the
provisions of existing law and upon the
clearest legal evidence, and there is no
proof that the Government has been de-
frauded of q single dollar in consequence
of the adjustment of any one of those
claims.
The subject of 'the foreign account of
the navy" The change of the Government
fiscal agent in London, and the transfer of
moneys to the banking house of Jay Cooke,
McCulloch & Co., is enlarged upon by the
majority in their report, and great stress is
laid by them upon the charge that Secre-
tary Robe son had violated the law in his
action in these matters. But the minority
report brings out the fact which will doubt
less surprise the majority and perhaps the
public, which showed that not only the
Secretary violated no law, but acted with
wise forethought and prudence, and actually
saved the Government from a serious loss.
There was no such statute in force as the
majority of the committee supposed and
assumed which would have rendered re-
cognition OF the London banking firm as
the Government agent illegal. The stat
ute became imperative in 1854 and was not
revived until 1874, and the appointment
therefore of the Government agent in Lon
don was strictly legal. More than that it
appears that when the funds of the Navy
Department were transmitted to the Lon
con house the firm was perfectly solvent,
and as soon as Secretary Robson learned
the facts that made it advisable to seek ad-
ditional safeguards for "the foreign account
of the Navy" he Immediately took the nee
essary steps. and did secure the interest of
this Government so that not a dollar has
been lost or can be. For his prompt and
prudent action in this matter he deserves
commentator instead OF censure.
We might pursue this hasty review of
the points presented in these reports from
the Naval Committee with results pre-
cisely similar to those given above. Suf-
fee it to say that the minority have in
their presentation of this matter to the
House and the country made it quite clear
that this investigation was undertaken and
has been prosecuted by the Democratic
majority of the committee with a nurely