The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-27
RAsoALITY IN NAVAL AFFAIRS.

RASCALITY IN NAVAL AFFAIRS
TIE navy, under Republican management,
vas undoubtedly one of the most corrupt
departments OF the public service. a New
York paper repeated some interesting testi.
mony the other day that was recently given
before the Psymaster Smith Court of In
quiTy. The witness gave evidence going to
show an improper connection between the
Paymastey General and certain favored con-
tractors who are now forbidden to bid for
supplies upon any of the present navy con-
tracts. The first witness was George W.
Simpson, of Simpson, McIi.tyre & Co., Bos-
ton, the butter firm. They have pate
for packing butter to go long distances or to
be kept long time and have supplied butter
to the navy for years. This firm furnished
80. 600 POUNDS in 1892 to the navy. The next
year Smith was Paymaster General and the
Boston butter peopls received no c;ntra,ts
Simpson came to Washington to find out
why, arriving just before the supplies were
being bought for the Greedy Relief Expedi-
ton. Simpson. continuing his evidence,
said that the Paymasisr General told him that
the tutter Of the Boston firm was the best
that had ever been put up for tie
navy. There was objection made to il in
any way. and Simpson rested in the full be-
lief that his firm would get the contract, or
at least al opportunity TO put in bid. The
contIf CT was soon after given to favorits OF
the Psymaster, ard be found out why
through man by the lame of Brown, who
was the purchaser CT large supplies for the
department. He told the butter man that
be could have secured for him the contract
fer 10,CoO pounds of butter for the Greely
relief, hut that he had turned the order over
TO George 81. Golf, because Golf had claimed
that he ives not getting his share of the con.
tracts. He said that Golf was very jealous of
him. Brown then went on to say that IL the
Bos' on butter firm wanted any more con-
trscte, to come to him and he ould procure
them for them. Mr.. Simpson said to-day:
81 ssked him what commission he would
charge to secure the order. He asked me if
the butter would stand five cents pound
above the regular price, and I replied, no.
He then offered to procure the contract for
10 per cent. commission"
Farther testimony goes to show that the
butter was bought at 45 cents when the Bos.
ton firm would have furnished it at
SO cent?, and the man Gof referred
TO in the foregoing pocketed the difference,
and it was detected in the following man
ner: The contract for furnishing the butter
for the Greely expedition, which was turned
over to Geff was filed by w. I. Young, of
South Market street New York, Golf is q
professional contractor, and had to go to a
butter firm to get his supplies. Charles NJ.
Youpg, who retired last year from the firm,
but who is still working for it until his &C
count with it is settled up, testified that he
saw check made out in New York payable
to the order of Golf for $780, AS 10000
pounds of butter wers furnished, this would
make the difference between the contract
price of forty6ve cents and the market
price, thirty. three cents. 1t elbows that this
eight cents was put on to give Golf
his commission. Simpson says that
he reported to, Paymas!er General
Smith the Improper overtures made
to him by Brown. Simpson said to
Smith: ~ stated that I had come to him
fiarkly, and did not believe that a man of
bis reputation could afford TO associate with
such man as believed A. P. Brown to be,
as any boy would have had better Judgment
| than TO divulge secrets to stranger, as Mr.
| Brown did to me. He thanked me for COM
ing to him, and stated with an oath, that Mr..
| Brewn was fool, and in this statement L
| sgreed with him." Mr.. Simpson also stated
| in this conversation that be did not under
stand why the Navy should purchase butter
at forty-ive cents pound when hs could
have furnished the butter of much batter
| grade at thirty. three cents. Smith replied to
| this that be was very busy at the time, and
| gave The order to Mr.. Gef without knowing
that other people had had chance 10 make
/ hid.
Thus the money used to 60 under Republi.
can administrations. That $500 WAS not
| missed the other day when the public money
was counted. simply because it was 10 Golf 8
| pocket.
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