New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-08-02
KITTERY MAYNARD ABUSES.
kTTTEK1 NV Md NDINEN'
TWO REPORTS To THE HOUSE, ONE SPECIFYING
FRAUDS, THE OTHER DENYING THEN THE
"GRATUuY' TO CONTRACTOR GRIFFITH.


FRAUDS, THE OTHER DENYING THEM THE
"GRATUTY' To CONTRACTOR GRIFFITH.
GENERAL PRESS DTsPATcH.l
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-The report presented
I'm fine House of Representatives to-day by Mr. Mills "
Texas in behalf OF the majority Of the Naval Ahar'
Committee on Congressman Bureighs charges against
The management OF the Kittery NayyYard treats plnc-
pally OF the three contracts made with john W. ui'
Inv Naval Constructor Hauscom. for work to be done
on the vessel called the Enterprise. The majority arrive
at the conclusion that Hanscom, in various ways
allowed cratuificS" To- Mr. Griffith which cost the Gov
eminent S3 742 They say IL j. proved with regard 10
the bending machine mentioned ID the charges inv 1t
was purchased by Mr. Hapscom from Mr.. grimm Ior
100000. that it Is worthless, ana destroy >
as much timber ~ it bends The Committee
d. not see any reason for shutting up the navy
ward nj Kittery on Of official misconduct Of the
Chief OF the Bureau Of Construction and Repairs or OF
other Officers as il is one among the BEST ana
should De kept and used for the benefit OF the Govern
meut as It may deem proper. In conclusion the MAJOR
ity recommend the adoption of resolution by the
House declaring that all the charges OF Irdui ABUSES
and o.icia misconduct presented by the Hon John H.
Burlclgh against the administration OF the hlttery
Maryland have been fully sustained Oy evidence 'aAe
by the Naval Committee"
Messrs Harris Hays and DanfoTd present their views,
saving that the invest cation g1cw out OF speech made
by Mr. Bur.igh Maine in the IIonse, in December
1874 He was the only L publican member WHO was on
the Investigating Committee who went to Ktery to III
vestc the charges last year, ana he must nave gone
there with the same desire have his speech sustained
that lie manilests now. In regard TO the buId-
ing of the Enterprise, the minority quote ue
law and say the Secretary Of the Navy
had no other duty except obey The law and that the
CONTRACTS were in accordance herewith In regard TO
the ALLEGED gratu.les paid to Mr. Griffith, the minority
say there il not prctcncc Of evidence going to sho"
that Mr. Han,com acted corruptly in making allowances
or that ne in any way derived any benefit from them
The charge hat lr Griffith paid f33142 more than
ne was entitled TO is declared 10 be manlcstiy m
lust and il could only have been reached by following
the cxpartc statements Of persons admitted To be nos
tile to Mr. Griffith aud opposed To the system OF building
vessels by contract in IA nlyyyards, and by rejecting
entirely the testimony of otncr witnesses quite as Ihtc-
een; and honest and having equally rs good II not bet
ter means OF forming just conclusions In regard TO the
utility OF the bending machine, the minority IND the tes
umony conflicting, but incline 10 the opinion that the
weight If the evidence Is IA condemnation Of Tie ma
chine ~ "A thing OF practical value Mr.. Ilanscom prob
ably made mistake in MS purchase "a. that time, but
there !, nothing to warrant suspicion OF corrupt mo-
tive Oh his part