The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-02

A SUBCOMMITTEE OF coScREss INVESTIGATING
THR MISUNDERSTANDING THE PAT~
noSAGE FOR POLITICAL ENDS.
The subcommittee OF the Congressional Committee
on Navy lard Inquiries mot at the Iyceum Of the
Brooklyn Navy Yard yesterday, 10 conduct an nvesti
CATION into the affairs OF the department 1t this port
They had previously notified the heads OF the varoui
departments in tho yard to be ready with Information
regarding the expenses incurred by them for the pas
i've years and the transaction OF their anAir
generally. Before their sitting the committee
inspected tho yard and the vessels. By
resolution OF tho House the committee are bound u
secrecy in their Investigations. and the rule was
strictly enforced ut yesterday session Tho members
OF the committee present Messrs. b. h.
Willis, b. A. Harris and B. d. Lewis, Mr.. Willis pre-
siding Admiral Rowan was the first witness sum-
moned, and his examination occupied the attention Of
the committee during the entire forenoon. Captain
Temple, who is in charge OF the yard was next
amined Alexander Henderson, chief Of tho Steam
Engineering Department, examined, ana when
he had finished Captain Temple again before the
committee. IL IL not doubted that important trregu
artics viii be discovered by the committee. II has
long been a matter OF notorety that hordes OF meI
have boen employed in certain departments com
lug on election time and discharged alter. Thu
departments which, 1t Is SAID, will DO found have
trespassed most this direction are those u
Construction aud Steam Engineering II Is said 0l
both these departments that they have almost nvars-
bly, used up their apporonmcnt Tor the year in lew
weeks political emergencies. and have had to
overdraw when Cuban excltements o. prospects Of .
coming Spanish war have given occasion for renewed
activity in either.
Yesterday Commander Meade, who has boon inspector
Of the Ordnance and Navigation experiments, turnes
over his oce to hts SUCCESSOR having been summary
detached HIS torn would have expired on the nrst Of
July. Some time ago Commander Meade Is reported "a
have stated that called upon he oald tell all no knew
OF abuses In the navy whoever might DO injured
by his disclosures. Since then he has boon
before the investigating COMMITTEES Ia Washington,
and Ia
Commander Meade spoken OF by officers In Brook
Ign exceedingly Jealous and efficient IN bringing
about needed changes His summary detachment u
consequently attributed the evidence given by him
In Washington The writer called upon him IN Brook
Ign yesterday In respect to the change In his depart
mcnt. ouicer he considered u would not DO boz
coming in him to canvass this matter. HIS testimony,
he sand. Is record in Washington, and when the
proper time comes the nature OF II VIII DO known.
Until then he did not wish 10 say what tho testimony
concerned. The expenses of tho Ordnance ana Navt
CATION departments tor i've years have been about
1000 During three years OF that time hc has been
Alter about three days session Mt the Navy Yard the
committee will make their headquarters at tho AstoT
House and continue the conduct OF The investigations
there probably for Two weeks.
Among the reports OF damaging disclosures TO be
made is one concerning the alleged OF quantity
OF valuable armor plating and machinery 10 John
Roach, for tritng sum. about year 1t is said
that Of this stun was resold new to the gov
ernnent
The sale OF portion OF the land the east side OF
the yard the city Of Brooklyn will DO the subject VI
portion Of the committees report
Among the Other witnesses who are notified TO APP.
pear before tho committee are NORMAN slrston, Cvl
Engineer, in charge OF the department Of Wards aIt
Docks: H. Pook, Naval Constructor, IN charge OF tht
CONSTRUCTION Department.; Pay Director Eldridge
Clothing aud Provisions Department.; Commands
Meade, Ordnance and Navigation Department, ant
Commander Whitehead. Recruiting and Equipment
Depart mcnt The committee will inquire into the cx
penses Of each department, the number OF men EN-
ployed, the time they were engaged and discharged
ana other particulars likely lead the discovery Of
the improper conauct OF those In charge.