The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-04-06
CLOSING UP ON robson.
A MERCHANT BLdCKMdILED by
THE SECRETdRH,S FRIENDS.
Paying $4,000 to the CstteIls for Securing
Contracts from the Navy Bureau-Whers
Robeson's DivVy Mny have Come In.

Paying $4,000 to the CattelIs for Securing
Contracts from the Navy Bureau-whers
Robeson's Divvy May have Come In.
WAsHINGToN, April 5.-The House Naval
Committee to-day examined william Matthews
OF New York at length as to what he knows
about securing contracts from tho Navy De-
partment through the house Of y. q. Catteli Il
Co. OF Philadelphia. Mr.. Matthews produced
hs books and showed that he had paid that
firm for doing nothing the sum OF $4,000 which
was hve per cent. on contracts for clothing.
naval stores, and supplies, amounting in the aa-
gregate TO nearly three million dollars. Tho way
II came about was this: The Cattells were In
fiuential with Secretary Robson, and with this
advantage in their favor they Informed Mat
thews that II would be useless for him 10 at.
tempt to underbd them, for they were going to
open house in Philadelphia and compete for
oil the contracts. Acting on this hint Matthews
asked them on what terms they would not bid,
aud they agreed on nve per cent. on the gross
amount of the contract. With this understand
ing Matthews was awarded the contracts. Mat
thews then exhibited TO the committee his
books and the entries made to the credit Of the
house OF +. q. Cattell & Co.
"There." said Mr.. Matthews, pointing with
pride to his books, "I am a Christian, member
Of the Presbyterian Church, and a merchant,
and de nand 90 know OF this committee n
there IA any evidence before II which involves
nv reputation In the slightest degree"
The committee thought he was playing a blun
game, and Informed the Christian merchant
that In the course Of time he should have an an
swer TO his question.
Up to to-day the amount which II was said had
been paid to the Cattells was tl2p.OCO. To-day
ell,UO was added to the amount, and In add
tion $1,000 more for securing the allowance Of
a 5000 claim against the Navy Department.
This ls good showing for the Catteils.
OF coune Robeson AYERS that he knew nothing
OF all this, but the connection between himself
and the Cattclls Is shown to be too intimate to
warrant the belief that they were abusing bis
friendship. For Instance. A. g. Cattel admit
ted, when he was examined before the Naval
Committee some weeks ago, that on June ~
1871. he purchased seventeen lots Of one Jas. J.
Shedd In Square 1885, IN this city, for the sum OF
S22.1190O, which he still bolds IN his own name,
but RObeson has an undived half Interest therein.
The following kilograms, which passed be-
tween Robes on ana the Cattels during October,
1873, assume considerable importance In this
connection
ocr. T. 1879.
90 B,Oddlrdy. ". T. Arranged matters with Cook
Must make change In paper Lave for home six to-day.
CArrKLL-
OCT. L. 1873
To PREY VAR. Esq. care AIR. O. CdfeH & Co.. 90
~ Del ar YAiidfSiDhiI Have Irwin McGuire wrlte X.
l.. stanton Receiver First National Bank lie waves
protest che Two notes due 9th ana 9th Al right
E. q. CArTKLL
OCT go 1873
| Aiez. @. Cdiien. Jr, 60 " Del ar, PAnIdsgAld-
Leave oclocx to-day for Philadelphia Tell Mulet
have order for bid. l. q. cATTELL