The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-09
Investigation of the Navy.

The country Is indebted 10 Mr. WHIT
rHoRNE Of Tennessee for the only real and
honest investigation Of the corruption and
abuses In the Navy Department which was
ever made by the House Of Representatives.
Every possible obstacle was thrown In his
path by SEcoR robson and the plundcring
contractors and jobbcrs with whom he was
associated. Perjury, Justification Of records
destruction of vouchers, mutilation Of books
evasion OF witnesses and barefaced bribery,
were among the means employed to thwart
the inquiry in the last Congress.
In spite of all these distractions the reve-
iatons OF iniquity were astounding, and
venality was brought home to the door of
the late Secretary of the Navy in such a
form as TO justify his impeachment. 1t
was well known at the time that Mr.. WHIT
TuoBNE and perhaps four of his colleagues
on the committee We're prepared to present
robson to the House, and that their pur-
pose was thwartcd by certain Democratic
and Republican members Of the committee.
Mr. WHIrTHoRNE Is again dcscrvcdly
Chairman Of the Naval Committee, and on
Tuesday last he offered a resolution direct
Ing "A thorough investigation into the mat
tors Of deficiency and diversion Of appropr-
atons from the special objects to which they
were applied by law and the expenditure of
them for other and different objects. as men
toned by the Secretary of the Navy in his
report of date Oct. 0. 1877, with power to
send for persons and papers. &c.
Immediately Mr.. FRYE of Maine. acting
on behalf of little Mr.. HALE, who was alb
sent, objected and made a technical point of
order, which carried the resolution over I'M
der the rules. Mr.. HALE was the personal
champion Of SEcoR Robson while he was
at the head of the Navy Department, and he
usually had charge OF the navy bills in the
House, wherein the extravaganza and job
berry of the Ring were provided for. There
Tore he wants no investigation which pro-
poses to go to the bottom Of the last mall
feasance, and to connect it with other
criminal acts which might send his friend
to the pententiary.
There is committee "on Expenditures in
the Navy Department which has hitherto
been more nominal than real. and during
sixty years of existence like all others APP
pointed to watch over the expenditures OF
the departments, has rendered little SER
vice. These committees are mostly useful
In providing honorary chairmanshps for
members who could not be assigned to more
responsible places. Mr.. +. A. WILLIS of the
Eleventh Congressional District Of this State
Is now Chairman Of this secondary commit
tee, and the Republican side 81 the House is
anxious that he and not Mr.. WHITrHoRNE,
should conduct the proposed investigation
No public reason has been given for this
anxiety but a. Mr.. WILLIS served on the
last investigation which Mr.. WHITTHoRNT
conducted. and did not always coincide with
his energetic policy that fact may furnish
the explanation. The public knows what
Mr.. WHIrInoRNE has already done and
trusts him fully. His experience and knowl.
sdge are invaluable for the intended object
and II there be an honest desire to 20 to the
bottom Of RoBEsoN's rascalities, the House
will bee wise in following Mr.. LINCoLN's adj.
vice, not to swap horses when crossing a
stream.