New-York tribune., 1876-03-08
stands in the case, none of which have been
answered. 1t looks as if he were lodging the vote.
THE OLD "GOVERNORo CLAIM.


| SECRETARY RoBEsoN's AWARD OF $4,000 on A
ONCE REJECTED APPLIcATIoN-PAYsiENT OF
MONEY TO DEPARTMENT OFFICERs-A WITNESS
REFUSES TO TELL WHAT HE KNOWS ABOUT IT
HIS ARREST.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUNEl
| WASHINGTON, March 7.-The last act Of the HShse
this afternoon was to order into custody recusant
witness who refused to answer questions put TO him
| by the House Committee Naval Affairs, who have
| reopened the investigation of the old " Governor
claim. examined during the XIII. Congress by
special committee of which Austin Blair of Michigan
was chairman Mr. Blair reported that the river
steamer Governor was chartered of G. L.. Litch-
field in October, 1861, by Commodore Dupont for
voyages from Hampton Roads 10 such ports as
might be designated. The steamer had been built
in 1916 and was therefore 10 years old at the time
il was thus employed. The terms of the contract
were that the party Of the first part-~the Govern
ment-should pay for the use of the steamer $500
for the first MONTH and 81 500 for each subsequent
month. The owners were to keep the vessel tight,
stanch, and strong, and the officers and crew were
to be paid by the Government. There was no agree
men that she was TO be employed upon rivers alone,
but OH the contrary, she Syas TO go to any ports
designated. The only agreement as to insurance OF
her safety was contained in the following extract
from the charter party:
further agreed II the said vessel he captured
destroyed or damaged by an enemy, or run ashore by
order OF The party Of the first part otherwise Injured
in obeying any order OF the party OF the first part the
shall be ndcmRhcd for al. such loss or damage;
but all her loss damage to the said vessel from other
than those above specified shall be borne by the
party or the second part.
The steamer was l0stin a storm. She was ordered
to sea. Her commander protested against going,
and being river steamer she swamped. In other
words. she was lost on just such voyage as she was
employed TO make but the question was raised
whether the ordering TO sea was the kind Of an or
der she was to be indemnifed against Mr. Blair
held that il was not since the orders named related
exclusively to the dangers of war; and not TO those
Of the sea. She was lost because she not sea-
worthy, and this the fault Of her Ownors who
were to keep her so, and not to the Government.
After the present Secretary Of the Navy was ap-
pointed, the law firm of Chpman Hosmer 81 Co.,
representing the Of the Governor, presented
a claim for the value of the steamer, which after
consideration was rejected by the Secretary Of the
Navy. The attorneys wrote to their clients in Port
land. Me-, that the claim was rejected and that
there very little hope for it, Soon after this, S.
T. Brown Of this city, favOrie contractor with the
Navy Department and friend of the claimants in
this case happened to be in Portland, and at once
undertook to assist them in getting payment.
He suggested the employment of Simeon johnson,
as attorney and also advised that VIM. VI. Eyarts be
employed 10 write an opinion in the case. Secretary
Robson granted q rchearing and after much con-
sideratonp as he himself testified, was constrained
TO change his first opinion. The allowed for the
steamer was $4,000. Chipman, hosmer 4 Co. re-
ceyed half of this sum, 10000, out of which they
paid Mr.. Eyarts, Simeon Johnson, and Mr.. 5. p.
Brown. Mr.. Brown admitted that he receivedS6,-
700. After the fees of Chipman, Hosmer Il Co. were
paid Sl2 900 was still left in the hands Of Simeon
| Johnson nov dead What become of this money
the Blair Committee was unable TO learn, Mr.. Blair,
in closing his report, gave IL his opinion that the
claim was improvdently allowed by the Secretary
| of the Navy.
| In the course Of its investigation the Naval Com
mittee of the present House took up the nyestiga-
tion OF this old claim, and called in Mr. Wolf, who
at the time of its payment boOkkeeper. Wolf
was i'm Browns Office when the $52 600 was received
and saw il taken into back room by Brown, ac-
companed by Hosmer and ex-senator Cattell of
New-Jcrscy. Soon after he said, " he them
como out feeling well, and he thought that the
money had been divided, although he did not know
it, When the Committee asked him if he had ever
taken any money from Brown to any officer of the
Navy Department. he refused to answerl He also re-
fused to answer the question whether he knew of
the payment of percentages To officers Of the Navy
or the Department for furthering the interests of
s. p Brown d Co. The House, without dissenting
voice, ordered his arrest, and he will probably be
arragncd in tho morning 1t is learned this evening
that Wolf informed the Sergcant-at-Arms after his
arrest that he will answer the questions in the morn
ing.