The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-01-28
sECOR ROBEsON's DEBTS.

WASHINGTON, Jan. FL am sorry to be
obliged to report that Mr.. Willis Of New York.
who is investigating the expenditures OF the
Navy Department manifcsts n lively interest in
behalf OF the payment OF certain contractors.
whose bills Sccor l,obcsOn approved before
going out OF Office and left for his successor to
pay. though the money had been voted by Con-
gross. and is claimed to have been on hand
when the contracts were made. but was subso-
quently diverted to other objects. These bills.
mostly for machinery and boilers. foot up u
round million OF dollars.
About the claims Themselves I express no
opinion, because they have been subjected to
no test OF scrutiny by which thor honesty or
their dishonesty might be established. Former
Investigations have shown what sort Of con-
tracts Robson was in the habit OF making. and
how the Treasury WINS plundcred by collusion
md corruption. The naked fact that Robcson
approved the bills and turned them over un-
pnid invites suspicion. especially when he
stands charged by his successor with having
made contracts fraudulent on their face"
while no was in charge OF the department tom
pornrily, between the ith and 10th OF March.
Contractors who jobbcd with Robson are en-
titled TO no sympathy or favor from the House
Of Representatives. None Of them should he
pud until every bill and every item shall be
examined and the contracts investigated
through and through. II Mr.. Wills's commit
tee. which was so extremely Jealous TO get DOS
session Of this inquiry, has any duty 10 per
FORM this ought to be the first object Of investi-
CATION. and any failure to discharge 1t will
cause distrust Of those engaged in directing the
work.
Secor Robson retired from Office rich. though
lac entered it poor and expended far moro than
his salary every year IN riotous living and dis
play To appropriate money for his benefit.
through n share in contracts yet unpaid. as is
alleged. would be- an outrage for which no man
in the House could vote without being arraigncd
10y Llse Onstituents. Suppose these claims are
rcg,fwf in form. and were approved" by n
vena Secretary. does that mere formalty Ger
tify to their integrity?
with the cunning Of u professional iobber in
Office Robson took care 60 protect his opera
tions az far a. possible. undcr cover of tcchni-
cal forms and to fortify his plausible recon-
mendations by opinions from the Attorney
General. lie always looked forward to the
chance If full exposure. and the possibility Of
the pcnitentary. whore hundreds better than
he. and for far less crimes. are now lodged.
When these masks are torn on his corruption
stands revealed.
In any event. the House will not be justified
in taking action on these claims until Mr..
Whitthornc's committee shall report lie I'M
dcrsiards the whole subject in all its phases
knows tho history OF these contracts and the
influences by which they are backed. and has
the entire confidence OF the country. And this
is only the first installment Of bills for there are
outstanding Of another class about six hundred
thousand dollars more. for running contracts
due before the rvpraion II the last fiscal year,
.ffN I'll. vat 10