The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-06-02

avoid painful exposures, anu u Is generally aumteu
that tho evidence which the managers will produce
will convict
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.
WASHINGTON, June l. 1876.
SECRETARY robson BxFoRE THE COMMITTEE
ON NAVAL AFFAIRs-AN EXPLANATION OF HIS
DEALINGS WITH THE cArrELLs-THE TRANS
ACTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT..
Secretary Robson appeared before the House Com
mittcc Naval Affairs to-day and explained at length
his account with A. g Cateil b Co., which he showed
was fully settled the 18th OF october, 1871 He paid
them in money value; the wrong done to him was in
the publication Of detached portions Of tho testimony
the committee would by fair analysis that
he had turned from one account back TO another
covering 100 pages in order to give this explanation
Tho Secretary also referred to the testimony
or Mr. Lewis, the receiver OF the late Arm OF Jay
Cooke & Co. At the time the firm failed he owed Il
$4,000, in two amounts-$10 600 ami 5000 This
latter amount was mentioned In the testimony seven
times making it appear $4,000 The Secretary cir.
substantially related his business transactions with A.
G. Cattell Co. at that period from which II appeared
that he had loaned them $25, 900, 81, 600
moro than he had TO pay. The Cattels began
tho account was closed by their giving him
check for $4,000 Tho Secretary produced all tho
) nofsa and checks Tho indebtedness OF the fsm
4 OF jay Cooke 4 Co. settled. Tho Secretary
also explained tho item Of 900 which appeared
the Cattclls' books amount owing by him for .
building lot and cottage ut Long Branch. The prop
erty was not u Long Branch, but two milos on. st
Monmouth Beach In 1871 number OF gentlemen
formed company and entered into speculation by
buying farm credit and dividing It into building
lots He into the speculation, believing, with the
other gentlemen, that thoy could sell enough OF the
property to pay them all back what they had ad-
vancod and mako good deal OF money besides
Il wax not however. convenient for him ut that tmo
to 20 into the speculation and spend money, and G.
Catcl covered his shares had been for several
subscribers Tho Secretary never had any agree
mcnt with the Arm about this business; 1t was with
A. @. Cattc himself for deed Of Quo half Of poce Of
property on Sixteenth street. which was worth about
$4,000 As much had boon said about Z. q. Cattcli
receiving commissions contracts the Secretary de-
sired 10 say that such transactions CattelIs part
werc in all respects, unknown aud unauthorized by
him He said his relations with A. g. Cattcll 4 Co.
wcrc such that IT. legitimate way and doing BUSH
other people. they could by contracts IN shcr
line make money he should not be sorry. although he
would prefer TINT they should not have contracts. He
commissions on contracts Information, however,
reached him eighteen months ago that g. Catell had
applied % several persons TO be employed by them in
competition with thor contracts. He recol-
looted hearing OF John Roach Cramp, Swift, o
1--we oak contractor, and Quintard being approached
He did not remember who informed HIM about tho
matter; but when he spoke to anybody he was per.
fccty certain that every instance he said that Mr.
Cattc must have nothing to do with the contracts Of
tho Navy Department, other than In the line OF his
Legitimate business How strong Nc made this Ian
guago he could not recall in words. hut that no ex
pressed himself strongly, in every instance. no WAS
sure. The next time he met Nr. Russell, the naval
paymastcr as Philadelphia, tho latter. in
response question: BY the Secretary, informed, him
that tho CaItclls had contracts for flour horse
iced except within their legitimate line.
with regard 10 tho property opposite 10 League
TsIund in Now Jersey, tho Secretary said the Navy
Department had never purchased or used any
such land Some was. however, purchased by
the War Department He Desired 10 say that
since he had been Secretary OF tho Navy he had
never given contract for supplies, and this statement
he believed would be verified by gentlemen pres
cnt embracing almost every ono who had been chIf
Of bureau in the Navy Department since he held the
Office Of Secretary; had he dictated orally or
in writing that iAvorItism should DO shown n any
man He had nevor dictated or suggested, limited
or spoken TO my one for the purpose Of
having persons favored In the matter Of con-
tracts There werc dozen men now present. Of the
highest respcoabiiity the navy, who could testify 20
tho truth this statement The Secretary, however,
did not pretend 10 say no not responsible for tho
policy OF repairing tho or for the policy OF
repairing and rebuilding certain ships; but he had d.
rectcd the Bureau OF Constructions and Repairs and
tho Bureau Of steam Engineering 10 distribute the
work among tho great nrms Of shpbuldcrs Of tho
courtry He believed that In 1873 and since there
not shipbuiidDg establishment on the Atlantic coast
that had not had sonc OF tho patronage Of the depart
ment
Tho Chairman OF the committee asked did you
not in your say that you mover made or die
tated contract 10 be made with any given person
A. II Is just possible that may havo referred to sono
men Baltimore for repairs OF the Tallapoosa; u 70
tho brought 70 my attention BY Mr. Archer
formerly member Or this committee; made con-
tract with Norman Wizard for experiments; cannot
recall anything oso OF the kind
The chairman--I should like your statement 10 be
comprehensive and specific.
A. never gave or dictated, orally or In writing, or
suggested limited any person to give contracts for
supplies anything about contracts either ~ TO per-
sons prices; nescr dictated instructions 10 show
favor,tism 10 anybody.
In response question by Mr.. Willis the Secretary
said his Impression was the prizes nxed by calling
on the great builders u The country and letting them