Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-08-05
Fom Washington

Fom Washington.
The Committee on the expenditures in
the. Navy Department have made their
Report, of which we are unable to give
more than brief abstract for want of
space:
The report comments ut great length
upon the terrible fact that we have one
of the weakest navies in the world, and
have expended more upon it than almost
any other nation. Admiral Porter, in his
testimony upon this subject, says 81
need scarcely say that the officers of the
navy who expect to take part in any con
fict that may arise between our country
and foreign power look with anxiety for
an Improvement in our ships, more parti-
cularly since the West India drill made it
apparent to the youngest of them that our
combined force of vessels was incapable
Of successful encounter with fleet one
fourth as large built on modern principles.
Indeed, one such ship as the British iron
clad InvinCible ought to go through a
fleet like ours and put the vessels hOrS de
combat in q short time, for she could run
them down or destroy them at long range
with her heavy rife guns" There are pages
of similar testimony from every officer
of prominence in the navy. After quoting
from this evidence the report thus recapi-
tulates 1t appears that in 1869, when
the present Secretary took charge, the
navy bore upon its register 203 vessels;
that by authority of law eight sloops-of-
war and two torpedo-boats have been
added thereto, and that by purchase three
more, to wit: the Dispatch, Rio Bravo
and Sea Weed, have also been added,
making PIG vessels which should now
appear on the register, but in fact, accord
ing to the Secretary'S last report, there
are only AT, SO that II vessels have disa-
peared, and counting up to the present
time it is more, because several vessels
have been sold since December last. The
committee have therefore to report to the
House the fact that the present Secretary
of the Navy has expended in money about
| $40, 200, 900; has used up or disposed OF
the material of more than seventy ships
ofwar, minus any proceeds paid into the
Treasury, besides other material; has
contracted liabilities amounting to seve-
raj millions of dollars, and has to show as
result navy whose condition is des-
cribcd in the testimony of its Chiefoflicers
already quoted. An examination of the
various navy-yards upon the Atlantic
coast has convinced your committee that
fully 81 ZOO, cooper annum during election
years has been taken from the Treasury
for the purpose of corrupting voters 'oi
the country, and it has been done wilfully
in the face of the law, and for the pur.
pose of controlling elections. A mi
nority report, signed by all Of tho
Republican members Of the Committee,
except Mr.. Burleigh, acquits Mr.. Robson
of malfeasance or any bad administration
of his department. The minority report
was rejected and the majority report
adopted.
The Committee in closing their Report
recommend the adoption of the following
resolution:
Resolved, That the legal questions, to-
gether with all the proof taken by this
committee, be referred to the Committee
on the Judiciary with power to hear adj
ditional testimony and argument if they
see fit, to examine and report whether
such violations of the law as are referee
to herein constitute and are impeachabl'
offenses under the Constitution, and if 81
then they shall report articles of impeach
ment against Geo. M. Robson, Secretary
of the Navy; bat if they shall find tia
under existing laws such acts and doing
of the, said Secretary are not impeachabl
: or otherwise punishable, then they shall
report what additional legislation, il
their opinion, is necessary to make salt
! laws sufficiently positive to protect tn
public service.
vote was taken on Tuesday 1st, inst.
in the U. S. Senate on the question of til
impeachment of Secretary Belknar
, which resulted in his acquittal, less tina
| two-thirds voting for verdict guilty. !
, large number voting in the negative o
l the ground that the Senate had not juris
, dietion, as Mr.. Belknap had resigned bt
fore the charges were preferred. Th
| vote stood for impeachment So; agains
! %.