Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1885-05-25
REAH FRAZER'S CASE.
An Investigation That Is Of Interest to Naval
Officers.

Washington Dispatch to the Press.
An investigation of great interest TO naval
officers will be begun here within a few
weeks. The inquiry, it is expected, will
fully develop the facts in relation to the pur-
chase of supplies for the South Pacific squad
ron, of which Admiral Upshur, who is now
on his way home to be retired, has for some
time been commander.
In Callao, where most of the stores for
United States vessels are bought, there are
several large firms who have furnished sup
plies for the %squadroDs of various nations.
The firm of Grace Brothers, Americans,
have been in the habit Of providing United
States vessels. Shute Il Garland, English
men, have supplied British ships of war,
n other firms having supplied YES
sells Of the German, French, Italian
and other navies. Last winter, when the
feet paymaster of the South Pacific squadron
made a requisition through the admiral for
supplies, the firm Of Shute d Garland were
invited by Admiral Upshur to bid against
the Grace Brothers, aud it is said the Eng
lishmen were promised the admirafs influ-
ence. On one of the contracts in which
Grace Brothers were lowest bidders in com
petition with Shute & Garland, the admiral,
Il is charged, suggested that the award be de-
termined by drawing lots. The gambling
having occurred in the admiral's cabin, and
Grace Brothers having won, Mr.. Upshur, it
~ iNSoo o"fS III VIM tNt u
Shute x Garland.
Paymasters are required to certify to the
department that their purchases have been
made in open mark ct from the lowest re-
sponsible bidder. Two or more paymasters
of the fleet in forwarding their returns certI-
fed that supplies were bought In obedience
to the orders of the admiral, but not at the
lowest market price. The trouble created
over the purchase of supplies was such that
Admiral Upshur, presumably in selfde-
tense, ordered a court OF inquiry, before
which a majority of the officers of the fleet
were ~arraigned.
The court caused considerable scandal, and
the American service suffered severely from
the wholesale a~rraignment of American Off
GERS. Paymaster Bellows was censured by the
original court composed Of seven officers, but
Its sentence was suspension for one year, with
leave pay, which In effect simply gave Bellows
leave Of absence for a year. This result was I'M
satisfactory to the admiral who increased the
court by the addition of two officers from TIE
flagship, and they sentenced Paymasters Fra
ger and Cam, who were tried on identically
the same charges, to suspension for four
years, one half of leave pay and to hold theit
present numbers, thus excluding them from
promotion.
The facts OF the case were reported TO the
navy department 1t is understood that
Secretary Whitney has rescinded Admiral
Upshur's orders regarding the contracts, and
that orders have been issued TO withhold his
pay to the amount of the supplies bought
upon his orders but not at the lowest market
price.
The convicted paymasters have been given
permission for a rehearing, and it is expected
that the verdict of the court on their respective
cases will be set aside. Mayor Grace, ofNew |
York., is the leading member of the firm of
Grace Beothers, Of Callao.