Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-28
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
rBg CONTRACTS wYrHRoACH.
<,e,c,art whiisoS's Letter TO var. 0uintard-
say,,x,ions fnr n Sc.tlesnent.

x,e,c,sr, whifnos's Letter 20 Mr, 0uintard-
ssss,s,ions FOR q settlement.
lBy telegraph TO the Dispatch.l
WASHINGTON, July 27.-Secretary
Whitney has sent the following letter
o George w Quintard and other gen.
tlemen 10 whom John Roach made an
assignment
AT our interview in New York We'd
nesday last you requested me TO take
into consideration the condition OF each
OF the contracts between the Govern
ment and John Roach, pending aud in
complete. and in view Of his assign
ment make some suggestion as to the
method OF dealing with the whole sub
ject. gave you assurance | would do
so, and communicate after reaching
Washington. As ] view the matter,
the rule which governs an individual in
these business transactions should gov
eSn the sction OF the Department. AT
all events, il there is different
rule proper to be applied, | am
not aware Of it. My duty heretofore
has seemed very simple and plais. II
has been to insist upon the strict en-
forccmeDt Of the contract obligations as
interpreted to me without regard TO con-
sequences. That is the ordinary, plain
business method, a depaI ure from
which in a public officer can have no
justification and in like manner
/ know Of no reason why the
ordinary principle which actuates
merchants in dealing with each other,
and in accordance with which generous
consideration is extended ordinarily to
snunfortunate business associate, should
not govern the action Of the Depart
ment under similar circumstances. The
business method of dealing with the mat
ter which would bo pursued by
private parties would be. frst to
become satisfied that the assignment was
il good faith, and then consider the
best methods from a business stand
point of bringing about settlement of
the current difficulties upon Just basis
for both parties. If | have the power,
therefore, | will enter into the con-
Sideration with you of the point to
which the contracts have been perform
ed, and endeavor to settle upon some
lust and fair basis for the disposal Of
matters. OF this ] informed you at
our meeting in New York. This course,
lust and right under all circumstances,
is compulsory upon the Government in
the present case. The very liberal
treatment which the contractor has
here fore received has left the Gov
eminent without sufficient margin
of moneys received to enable it
to protect itself in the present
situation. The contract provides that
10 per cent. should be retained
from the bills as they came due and
held as security for the completion Of
the work. At the present time those
reservations would have amounted to
s2l0.7l0. They have been surrendered
TO the contractor under circumstances
not important TO consider now, with the
exception of S2GG.70. In addition to
this small sum of E2jG.70 in
our hands, there are unpaid bills
for extras claimed on the ships
amounting to e26.GSS.95, and in
dispute on the Dolphin $29, 1916. 0S-al-
together mostly in dispute, $S3,-
304.03. As against this, four ships
are in your hands, upon which overs2,-
000, goo has been paid. 1t is Of the
utmost consequences to the Government,
as it is to yourselves, that a just
settlement of the past transactions
should be had and a new departure
made. l suggest, as practicable
method Of arriving at Il solution Of the
matter. q meeting of yourselves and
your counsel with the Attorney-Gen-
eral and myself, at which SEINE practi-
cal method OF dealing with the subject
may be arrived at which shall be within
ny legal authority.