The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-09
BENZ. 4. WILLTS's work.
Putting over Three Millions into the Pockets
Of Robeson Contractors

WASHINGTON, June 7.-Undcr the leader
ship OF BENJAMIN A. Willis. the House to-day.
by vote Of 1876 to 40. completed the work it
began yesterday, in condoning tho offences of
Robeson by voting TO pay his contractors
1887 .45714 outright. in addition to claims to
the amount Of II ,1O8 .G01.G5 passed by ma
iority vote Of the Committee on Appropria-
tions. and resisted by it's moro economical
members. This. too. in tho teeth OF ex-
posture and in defiance Of public opn-
ion. No more wilful extravaganza has
ever been pcrpctratcd 10y Republican
House; no moro suspicious vote was over
recorded at Albany Mr.. Willis's constituents
ought distinctly to understand that having for
six months cndeavorcd to revive certain claims
which oven Hayes's Administration will not
pay, he has succeeded and that. so far as he
and his hackers in the lower and Democratic
branch Of the national Legislature Is concerned
the peoples treasury is poorer bv three
and quarter millions. This is Mr.. Wllis's
work. lie has been long at it-somo
men say before tho opening OF this
Congressional term. In his first Congress
sional term Mr.. Willis sought and obtained
lamilar and personal Introduction to one OF
the most disrepuinble public characters in
Washington. George VI. Hobcson. head and
front Of the Naval Ring. In this term. wit
work-done il with an outward sue
cess that Eobcson must envy. Robe
sons clever Treasury tricks were marked
by outward success and inward profit. The
success was first seen the profit was later seen.
Just now Mr.. Wiiss success is all that ap-
pears. He has earned this success and what
over attachcs TO success Of this sort, by hard
work. lie began by an investigation. in which
the Naval Ring appear in somo eases
to have suggested questions. in many
cases to have dictated answers. and in
all material cases determined conclusions. To
deceive the unwary he wrote n report attacking
Robcson's methods 10 rob the Treasury. In tho
same report he recommended the payment Of
Robeson's contracts. SO long as Robcsons
friends get their money they care extremely
little for abuse Of Robcson. Their payment is
recommended to tho amount Of three and a
quarter millions in his report which shows Mt
the same time that the indebtedness represent
ed by these contracts was incurred in viola
ton OF law. In tho items OF this
gigantic swindlo figure the worst names
Of the Navy Ring-Wm. Matthews, Iyfert, Me-
Manus& a Co.. :. p. Brown. John Roach. the South
Boston Iron Company. and the rest.
No set of men worse tainted with the smell Of
fraud over received the peoples money by tho
hundred thousand at a time than these mon
Ben \. Willis has laborrd for the winter
through. 1t is plain that by beginning far
enough back nearly any claim can be pushed
through Congress. Mr.. Willis's method is
slow. but it is sure. First sham investigation.
then n report condcmning contracts as Illegal.
and proposing to pay tho contractors in tho
same breath. and at last. when the question is
brought before the House. 1t can bc urged that
as the services and supplies were rendered and
delivered under Illegal contracts. therefore tho
contracts should be paid No Secretary need
hesitate at any expenditure in future. He may
be- denounced. He may be Investigated. HIS
contracts may be false. fraudulent. and illegal.
ThnY will be mid