New-York tribune., 1876-07-27

he affected by II, were carcIluli
excluded from the Commit tee-room, aud the seal or
secrecy placed upon the lips OF the menpes OF ,e
DISCHARGED not only Washington but at the varions
navyyards the Atlantic Coast, and when t. Com
mtiee had completed the testimony mass OF n' T1y
900 pages was placed III the hands OF the Secretary of
the Navy and he was told that he might have the prV
The Committee held consultation whatever in rcla
tion TO a report. The matter OF report was never
talked of in the Committee-rOOm, and no one was u
thorzed by the Committee TO prepare one No sn-com
mttee was appointed ami no general discussion Was %
had TO what il should cOntain bu the members oi the
Committee notified 10 be present on the morning or
the 18Th inst. in the Committeeman To hear the
report. When the Committee was assembled the Chalr
produced report, and was proceeding Ia reld ",
Of the h1irnan by what authority the report had brcn
attention OF thc Committee TO tLis question the Chair
man replied, recognized my political friends on the
Committee and have consulted them only and pro-
cceded read the report During the reading Of the
port became apparent that IL had been already agreed
to ana passed upon by the majority of the Committee
It's reading having consumed the entire day of the lsth
the r. publican mcmbers oi tie Committee on the next
day proposed TO take up subject by subject and discuss
party vote III the Committee thus depving the minority
of any Influence In determining the conclusion' ana
character Of the report of committee oil whlch they
were members
A report so made is likely to be in some measure but
adapted TO what they may deem the political necessities
of their party It's, in fact partisan document made
the a great political contest. and Is designed
tor political effect While will not hesitate 10 con
denim aud censule and demand punishment ior any
persons connected with The administration oi naval
affairs, from highest officer to the lowest, for any
act OF fraud, corrupuun' OF Wanlon heS,S,t
interpretations shall he put upon the lawful acts Of the
sha fall n"n those charged with the r,i iousIhc, the
important. cNgciinc, and muliar"us IN i"s thereof
the heads OF tie several bureaus in has department. III
the faithful discharge OF thorduics must nee S,l cN-
ercsc tier discretion and Judgment III many ana lmp"r
tan matters involving the expenditure Of large sums OF
money; and they men, and Liable rs al men are l"
@ uUn Mncn @ NV S ~ ~ I,s,,,i, bn"r bl and rcsp0-
gfaI. 4y fAT ~
even when you di>asrse Win th'it III TiliTi Tnni
on matters where ,ctnfivo tnf "s9 branch jtD tHe
Government the head of the Navy Dcpartmcnt Is re-
snonSibe t line executive head OF the nation for wise
ana die administration OF the affair, OF Tia dtp'i
mont: and he certainly, under no constitution "I con
stitnfional law except in ease OF crime and corruption
or wiul violation Oi law. directly or especially It'Foh
/ siblc tu Congress.
The policy Of rebuilding vessels that would In soon
become useless is defended by the minority aS econom
ca prudent and judcious Instead OF ccn-nrc for this
as the mai Irity propose they that the Secretary de-
serves the thanks of the entire country. Tie exchange
aud utilizing Of o'd material In the work Of rebuilding
vessels is also shown to have been authorized by IL
gress the result being advantageous to tie service
With resard To the contracts and purchases, for "hcb
the majority severely the Secretary imply iuS
corrrpt action his part the testimony of al wit
is entirely concurrent proyn" tnat IN no 'ln.e
instance has the Secretary endayorud to influence
any purchase contract, cheg directly ormdiie,'N 10y
intmaOn or otherwise. The charge that the secretary
had used Government materials aId the labor of
employees for his own private benefit, is pronounced
by the minority frivolous and unsupported by iei
Inouy. regard spccuatious OF +. g. Cael and h,
levyng percentages contractors the minority shows
these operations were carried without tie knowledge
Of the Secretary Of tic Navy, and that be was
advised Of such practices hc intcrposcd vigorously To
check hem. Abuses or frauds which exist n connect ON
with contracts for purchases OF the Navy Department
are thl results Of defects Inherent in the sy-tou on
talishcd. ami for which the lw making power and not
! the Department is responsible.
The minority the political influence exercised
in Navy-Yard apJ oiniments, that that evil u which
originated under aud foscrcd by IN previous Demo
cratic admins that the only crt to check haas
been made under the present Republican administrations
and that such political appointments are Attributable
chiefly to the opportunities Of members Of Congress, and
not 10 the action Of the Secretary and the respective
! chiefs Of bureaus.
The minority enter fully into the examination Of the
foreign navy account in London. They show the action
Of Secretary have been entirely legal and i- Re-
suits beneficial 10 the Government, not dollar OF the
| fund has been Dc lost.
Tie minority say hat the proposal 20 refer IN" whole
subject another Committee of tie House r aHai dis
position indicates either disposition TO evabe the re-
sponsibiiy imposed uuon the Nlval Committee by the
House or q conscious Inability dispose Of the subject
committed to them In a satisfactory manner. The
minority conclude with rrsYu;ion declaring tina; no
evidence has been adduced tending 70 show tha ~ccre
tary Robeson has been guilty OF official misconduct
or corruption OF any willfu violation Of Law.