The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-11


Every Democratic member Of the Naval
Committee of the House Of Representatives
has signed the report Of Mr.. WHlrruoRNE.
and sustained the two resolutions connected
with it, which declare. first. that the acts
and conduct Of GEORGE W. robson as
Secretary OF the Navy, and the chiefs
Of bureaus since 1872, aud others who
aided ami abcttcd Thorn In the un-
lawful disposal of property and money
and in the method Of making con-
tracts. deserve the scvcrcst ccnsurc and
condemnation; and secondly, that the report
and testimony, with the views of the mi
nority, be certified by the Clerk Of the House
to the President, the Secretary e the Navy.
and tho Attorrey-Genoral, ior their action.
e Heretofore. Robson has always been able
to secure one or more Democratic votes in the
Committee, and by that means to impair
the moral effect Of Mr.. WH1TTHoRNEs in
Vcstigatiuns. II Is known that he sent for a
member before the last test, who had hith-
crto saved him from united report with
the expectation Of getting renewed aid and
comfort from that quarter. But be failed
on this OCCASION Mr.. WHITrHoRNE had con-
Quoted the inquiry in such n manner as to
dsarm the Republican minority Of any just
ground OF complaint and to compel unity
on his own side.
RoBEsoN and his associates in the bureaus
had every opportunity to bring in whatever
testimony they desired. and TO make every
possible defence. Mr.. WHIIrHoRNE Of
fcrcd and carried resolution IN the
Committee to hear them during the holt
day recess, and remained at Washington for
that purpose. In order to get delay, and in
the hope Of thwalting final decision, they
purposely failed 10 appear at that time, and
waited till the recess had terminated before
introducing any evidence.
The report OF Mr.. WHITrHoRNE is admit
ted on all hands to be exceedingly able and
conclusive. The naked facts were OF thcm-
selves irresistible but lac has presented
them SO clearly and connectedly that no
escape il left for the iobbars and thieves
who In eight years consumed and carried off
appropriations for nearly one hundred and
seventy-lve millions Of dollars, exclusive Of
many more millions stolen by the barter OF
valuable property TO favored contractors.
like Roach and GARDINER, as old scrap iron.
At the last meeting Of the Committee. the
Republican minority fought desperately
agreed that the majority and minority re-
ports should be printed together, and that
the Republicans would make no further re-
sistance in the House. In doing this they
were not sincere, for while committed
themselves personally to this course which
would finally test the sense Of the House,
they secretly rcsortcd to the dishonorablc
trick Of getting one Of their own side 10
make the parliamentary objection whenever
Mr.. WmrrHoRNE should submit the usual
formal motion.
Accordingly, when Mr. WHITrHORNE pro-
posed on Saturday 10 submit the report and
10 recommt IL for printing, Mr.. CoNGER OF
Michigan, always conspicuous In defend
ing and conccaing Republican frauds,
promptly objected He was stationed and
on the alert for this object, either by the
direct influence Of RoBEsoN, or indirectly
through the suggestion Of one Of his cham
pions ON the Committee. Unfortunately.
Mr.. WHIrrHORSE was not able originally 10
get authority TO report at any time, in the
absence Of which he was exposed to tactics
that virtually confess a fear Of the Judgment
Of the House on the part Of SECOR RoBEsoN,
and an unwillmgncss to take the risk of an
up and down vote on the resolutions
These public plunderers. who were thus
enriched 10y spoliation Of the navy, may es-
cape for time the legal penalties which
they deserve. and which their crimes de-
maud; but robson and his confedcrates
are just a- much branded with corruption
in the brokerage Of contracts in conniyancc
with jobbers, and in fragrant prostitution of
their trusts a. If they had been condemned
for IA llufr a tina nd
We're already wearing striped suits. They
are convlcts in every moral scn7c, for the
proof is overwhelming that the Navy De-
Iartmeut, under the rule Of SECOR robson,
was little else than a brokers shop, whore
the whole patronage was sold to the best
bidder, and whore middlemcn like CATrELL
were the uuctJnccrs.