The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-07-08


scharee there could % mo Satisfactory re-
ply. Another and inpre serious section
was that no provision was made Tor psfbfic
advertisement and letting of contracts TO
the lowest. responsible and competent bid
der, thus leaving wide opening for favor
itism and unnecessary expense. Amend
ments to remedy this objection were dis.
cussed and rejected, nearly all of the neg
alive vetes coming from the republican
side. But the house amendments was
adopted.
g When the section of the bin relating TO
the completion of Robeson's monitor was
read by the clerk, half a dozen democrats
arose to make points of order against il,
but they were of no avail.
Knott, of Kentucky, said this was sim
Div scheme to make legal certain iron
cfads which had no legal existence.
Blount, OF Georgia, Hewitt, of New York,
Holman, of Indiana, Whitthorae Of Ten
nessee, McCook, of New York, and Spring
er, of Illinois, opposed the completion OF
the iron clads, and Insisted that If a mil
lion dollars were to be appropriated for
this purpose, the work to be done should
be done under new contracts, to be made
after advertisement and competition by
responsible bidders. 1t was claimed that
the work should be done for less money
than when Robson made contracts with
his favoritesr-John Roach 81 Co.
Robson boldly and brazenly declared
that the contracts which he made were in
conformity to- law, and he insisted that
they are still valid. Taking the centre
aisle ashis stamping ground, he pranced
up and down during the remainder OF the
day. He spoke with the assurance and AFRO
gance and borGbast of a man who felt
certain of victory. Taking everything
into account particularly his unsavory
record, the history of the iron clads under
discussion and the disreputable cOmbina-
ton which organized the house under his
leadership, the Robson exhibition to-day
was .disgraceful to the American congress.
Hewett offered an amendment reguir ing
advertisements and lettings to the lowest
responsible bidder, with proper security
for fulflment of contract and with the
privilege of finishing the work in any navy
yard elsewhere.
Robson vehemently and angrily oppos-
ed this fair and just proposition, saying it
opened the way for any Mackay or any
other bummer or adyeuturer to get con-
tract and do the work in government
yards.
Hewett replied that il was bummers he
wanted TO keep out, looking significantly
at Robson, and added, the day for bum
mers in the navy is passed. He said the
old contracts were let without advertise
ment or competition, and he wanted to pre-
vent faveriteisIn and protect the interests
of the government.
Springer, speaking in favor of this
amendment, stirred up lively debate with
Kelly. Springer caused tesbe read from
a newspaper a contract made between
I'll Oh of nd ~
Sons, ship builders of the same city, in
which Cramp agreed to pay Flaflick five
per cent if he should secure recommen-
dation from President Hayes, which would
lead congress to make an appropriation for
completing the Robson iron-ciad, which
lies on the stocks in the ship yard of
Cramp 81 Sons. The contract was in the
hand writing Mr.. Springer said of Rog
ers, who was then private secretary to
President Hayes. Flallick sued Cramp for
his pay. and Cramp compromised by pay
ing him $1,000.
Springer desired it to be understood that
this was one of the contracting firms which
Robson proposed to continue in the en-
ployment of the government.
Kelley could scarcely restrain himself un
til Springer concluded, when he said he had
carefully investigated the case. because the
found that it was Matchmaking scheme
on the part of Flallick, whom he denounced
as perjured scoundrel who ought to be
in the penitentiary. He said Cramp and
others employed Flallick to obtain con-
tracts in South America and when the ell
der Gramp signed the paper he supposed
he was signing document relating to the
prospective South American contracts.
Springer, pointing out the absnrdity Of
this excuse on the part of Cramps said
this firm was capable of constructing YES
sells for foreign governments as well rs our
own, yet it claims to have signed a con-
tract which the signer. the president of
the company, did not read.
Kelley insisted that the Cramps were
honorable men. incapable of making a
contract to corrupt legislation, and the
Fiallick contract was signed by mistake
He said the 81 900 was paid for work
done by Flallick in South America.
Springer fortified his position by quot
ing from the testimony taken in the suit
against Cramp 81 Sons.
Cannon, of Illinois, questioned the good
faith of Hewett in offering the amendment
relating to advertisements, etc.
Hewitt replied with emphises that he
was thoroughly in earnest. He wanted to
protect the treasury from further plumber
ing. His own experience had taught him
that great business firms never sign con-
tracts in the dark.
Cannon Withdrew his imputation upon
Hewitt's motives. but Hewitt's
remarks aroused Robeson, who fired off
some giittering gcneralities in alleged de
Tense of his record in the navy depart
ment.
The result of to-day's fight was that
Robeson with the republican majority AT
his back, succeeded in retaining his IRON
clad scheme in the bin.
Keifer was on the floor most of the day.
actively aiding Robson. Taken all in all
it was good day for Robson, but dc
cidely bad day for the republican party.