The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-05-04
HoHEsoN.s RORBEnIEs.
A DETERMINATION TO Investigate Them 10
the Bottom.
THE GUILTY. nANsUoM 10 BE PROSECUTED
UR1MfNALLY.
IOhicsao Iimes.1

ttGShNu AANts.i
WAsHlN'aroN, April %. Notwithstand-
ing the fact that Robeson's friends claim
that Secretary Thompson has found
nothing In his investigation of the de-
partment to reflect upon the former,
each day brings forth new evidence OF
the falsity or their statements. Thomp-
son Ia doing bis best to reorganize the
department He makes haste slowly,
so as to be sure Of what he Is doing. He
to-day removed Naval Contractor Hans
com, the right-hand man OF Robson
during his long career OF robbery.
There were no end OF charges proved
against Hanscom before Whitthorne's
naval committee. 1t was shown
that he was a secret partner with
all the principal contractors OF
the department, and that in giving out
contracts to firms and incompetent
contractors the government has annual
ly lost hundreds Of thousands Of dol
lars. Mr.. Thompson has found the de-
partment over $l,000,a 900 short in funds
that 1t should have, and a perfect riot OF
waste and bad management throughout
all the bureaus of his department. The
specific charge upon which Hanseom' g
removal is based Is his neglect TO com
ply with an order given him by Score
tary Thompson before his last visit to
luulhHha IHouiGSoh, HhuibS Viz Iuuhc
of his department running very low,
found 1t necessary to stop all work
throughout the various navy yards
Of the country, and even to
suspend the pay Of officers Of the
navy. in order to be able to get
through the year. This order cut off a
lot OF Hanseom's partners, who had fat
contracts. Hanscom had been 80 long
undisturbed In his lawless disregard OF
department regulations that he refused
to send the order, and left 1t in his
desk. When Thompson returned he
found work was still going on Ia GER
tain localities. Upon investigating he
found 1t was through Hanscom's fault
to comply with his orders. He charged
him with 1t, and Hanscom excused him
self by saying he had mislaid the order
and forgotten It, Thompson has been
long convinced that Hanscom was very
improper man for the place he filled.
He seized upon this refusal to obey his
orders az an opportunity to get rid of
him. 10 Ia possible that further inves-
tigation may decide the department to
prosecute Hanscom criminally. Indeed,
there has been some talk of prose-
cutting all of the Robson gang.
Mr.. Thompson is carefully gathering
together evidence shown by the records
of his department, and will make such
recommendation to the Cabinet as he
thinks the facts demand, regardless of
who may be hurt. Ell. w. Easoe sue
ceeds Hanscom. The latter's dismissal
was made as disgraceful as possible. In
stead of being given time to withdraw
and resign gracefully, he was simply
ordered to resign at II o'clock precisely.
According to naval etiquette this is as
summary a proceeding as taking him
by the collar and kicking him down
stairs.
There was a long consultation held at
the Navy Department to-day among
bureau officers with Secretary Thomp.
son. He gave them all to understand
that he intended to examine every clerk
in the department individually, with n
view of Diminishing every man who Is in
the least way incompetent. Besides
this reorganization, Thompson works
day and night on Robeson's account.
He finds millions squandered. the naval
treasury empty. with no navy to show
for lavish expenditures.