The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-22
Secor Robeson,s Defence.

nv. WHITrHoRSE gave RoBEsoN and his
eonfederates the fullest opportunity to make
mp defence of their daring violations Of
law, their jobbcry, and their corruption
while the Navy Department was run like a
close corporation II they could make any.
The testimony is now all in, and the case
stands precisely rs 1t did before they ap-
peared to swear through the mass of con-
victing proof which confronted them on all
sides.
In defiance Of law RoBEsoN assumed to
transfer large quantities Of so-callcd old ma
terlal in exchange for new to enter into the
construction Of ships Of war, at the rate Of
three pounds Of old for one Of new, when the
average difference is about ten per cent.
between the two in the process of conversion.
Under this system OF barter, engines and
q vast variety Of machinery some Of which
was as good as new, were transferred and
became n source Of very great profit. JOHN
Roach, who was the principal beneficiary
under this system, and who may be said to
have originated the practice and GARDINER
OF Providence, who also profltcd materially,
both swore vigorously that these contracts
were in the interest OF the Government.
They Of course generously sacrificed their
own interests in order TO vindicate tho repu-
tation OF SECoR robson as a reformcr and
economist!
The other witnesses, on different points,
recitcd the old stories with which the pub
lie Is already familiar, without bringing for
ward a scrap Of testimony which in any
way could palliate the monstrous plumber
that for eight years disgraccd the admins
tration Of the navy and enriched Ring,
which for audacity, cunning, and scandal
Gus abuse Of trust, had no superior in the
many that made tho era OF Grantsm
stencil In the nostrils Of the country.
RoBEsoNs chief reliance for defending his
malioasancc was the Virglnius excitement
i've years ago, when he seized the chance OF
q temporary public feeling 10 enter upon
The biggest job that occurred during his in
cumbency, and which cost the taxpayers,
FIRST and last, seven or eight millions of dol
lars. There never was an hour when there
was the least danger OF war between the
United States and Spain, because both par
ties feared the consequences. The states
men OF Spain knew very well that a rupture
would cost them every inch Of their pos
sessions on this continent On our side,
the navy Of the United States was In no
condition 10 contend with that OF Spain, and
a collision would have resulted for the time
at least, In the destruction OF great por-
ton OF our remaining commercial marine,
mostly engaged in the coastlng trade and
the addition Of many millions to the public
debt. In the long run, victory must have
come to our side, but it would have been
dearly purchased.
The final settlement Of the Virginius af-
fair and the surrender Of that vessel from
remote corner OF the island without a sign Of
demonstration toward real atonement and
In the most loathsome condition, told pretty
plainly what sort of redress Spain was re-
luctantly giving for the massacre Of Amer-
can citizens and others under protection Of
the Stars and Stripes when floating on the
high seas The acceptance Of that surren-
der was humiliation, and the money part
OF the agreement, by which tho lives OF the
Captain and passengers were regulated by
dollars and cents, was only procured, dis
creditable as II was, because England had
first exacted payment in behalf Of some OF
her subjects.
When robson collected the rotten and
worthless ships from all parts of the world
at Key West In 1873 his chief thought was
the huge contracts for supplies and repairs
that the occasion would furnish. His patri-
Otism revelled in the prospect Of jobs that
might be covered up or palliated under tho
large margin Of pretended emergency"
-Four millions Of deficiency were voted al n
single dash on the demand OF DE GoLYER
GARFIELD as Chairman OF the Appropria-
tions; and other millions were granted sub
sequently to satisfy the greedy nav OF this
speculation.
1t remains now for the Naval Committee
to do its duty, and to pass judgment upon
this corrupt man, before he shall go to Join
HUNTER, whom he recently defended for
murder, and who at their last meeting in
prison appointed place Of reunlon hereafter
When this question was before the Com
mittee in the last Congress, detection on the
part OF one or two Democrats prevented ac-
ton that would have led to RoBEsoN's i'm
parchment. Now he is beyond the reach OF
that process, but is liable 10 criminal and
civil prosecution. The belief is that a ma
1ority OF the Committee will stand by Mr.
WAITTHoRNE who has % faithfully dis