Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-07-27
Investigation Of Secretary RObeso On
THE MINORITY REPoRT, EXoNER ATIN6
THE SECRETARY

AhSesuBot1Om OF secretary Robson.
THE MINORITY REPORT, ExONER ATING
THE SECRETARY.
The views OF the minority OF the Com nit
tee on Naval Affairs, generating Secretary
Robson, signed by Representatives Harris
Hays of Alabama, was presented yesterday
In the House OF Representatives. The mi
nOrity severely criticise the majority report,
alleging that 1t is unfair in its statements,
fslsciOus In its conclusions, is evidently
prompted by partisan spirit, ignores entirely
testimony favorable to the Navy depart
ment, and perverts other portions In such
Secretary and other officers. In reply to the
charge of the majority as to the alleged de-
teriOratfou OF the navy under the present
administration, the minority show that the
navy Is today in q more efficient condition
than 1t has been at any time since 1869, not
outstanding the limited means placed at
the disposal Of the Secretary. The policy
soon become useless Is defended as eco
they say instead Of ceSsurs for this,
serves the thanks OF the entire community.
The exchange and utilizing of old m aterial
In The work of rebuilding vessels is also
shown to have been specifically authorized
by Congress, the result being advantageous
10 the service with regard to contracts aud
purchases. for which the majority severely
censure the Secretary, implying corrupt &C.
witnesses is entirely concurrent, proving
that in no single instance has the Score ary
ever endeavOred TO influence any purchase
or contract, either directly or indirectly, by
majority that the Secretary hal used gov.
eminent materials aud the labor of en-
ployes for his own private benefit, is pro-
nouneed by the minority as frivolous aad
the speculations OF Ely Cattell and his levy
Ing percentages on contractors, the minor.
ity shows these operations were carried on
without the knowledge Of the Secretary Of
the Navy, and that as soon as he was ad-
vised OF these practices he interposed vigor-
ously to check them. Whatever abuses or
for the purchases for the Navy department
are the results OF defects inherent In q sys-
tenn long established, and for which the law
sponsi6le, and for which the majority suS-
gest no remedy, although they have been
engaged in the investigation for six months.
The minority say as 70 political influence
evil Is one which originated under and was
fOstered by all previous democratic admin
1strations; that the only effort to check 1t
mas 6esn under the
pointments are attributable chiefly to the
opportunities of members of Congress and
not 70 the action Of the Secretary and the re.
enter fully into examination OF the foreign
navy account in London, showing that the
action OF the Secretary was entirely legal,
and It's results beneficial to the government,
as not dollar Of the fund has been or can be
lost. The minority review generally the posi-
tlOns taken By the majority In order to snow
from, IL not perversions of, the testimony of
witnesses. The minority say that the pro-
pOsal OF the majority TO refer the whole sub
ject to another committee OF the House for
fnal disposition indicates either q dispose
ton to evade responsibility imposed upon
the Naval Committee by the House or con-
committed to them in q satisfactory m amer
The views OF the minority conclude with q
resolution declaring that no evidence has
been adduced during this Investigation
tending to show that Secretary Robson has
been guilty OF any official miscoaduct or
corruption, or any wilful violation of law.