Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-07-28
THE ROACH CONTRACTS.
Secretary Whitney Whites a Letter
to the Roach Assignees
STATING HIS VIEWS OF THE MATTEE
In a Plain, Straightforward and Business
like hanner---The Governments
Skirts Clear.
PLAIN STATEMENT OF THE ACCOUNTS

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 27.-Seeretary
Whitney has sent the following lette, tc
Mr.. George Quintsrd and the other gentle
men to whom Mr.. John Roach made an as
signment:
"At our interview in New York on
Wednesday last you required me to take
into consideration the condition of each Of
the contracts between the 9ovsrumsSt And
Mr.. John Roach, pending and incomplete,
and in view of his assignment make some
suggestion as TO the method Of dealing with
the whole subject. l assured you that |
would do so and communicate after
reaching Washington. As l view
the matter the rule which
governs individuals in these business trans,
actions should govern the action Of the de-
partment At all events if there is differ
ent rule proper to be applied l am not aware
oft. Ny duty heretofore has seemed to be
very simple and plain. 1t has been to insist
upon the strict enforcement Of the contract
obligation as interpreted to me without re-
gaIdto consequences. That it is the ordinary
Plain Business Method,
departure from which public officer can
have no justification, and in like manner |
know Of no reason why the ordinary princi-
pie which actuates merchants in dealing
with each other, and in accordance with
which generous consideration is extended
ordinarily 30 an unfortunate business asso-
ciale, should not govern the action of the
department under similar circumstances.
The business method of dealing with the
matter which would persuade the private
parties would be- first, to become satisfied
that the assignment was in good faith
and then consider the best method from a
business standpoint of bringing about a set
tlement OF current AID incomplete contracts
upon fair and just basis for both parties.
If have the power, therefore, l will en-
ter into the consideration with you of the
point to which the contracts have been per
formed and endeavor to settle upon soma
just and Fair Basis
for the disposal of the matters. OF this /
informed you at our meeting. This course,
4 Ust and right under all circum-
stances, is compulsory upon
the Government in the present
case. The very liberal treatment which the
contractor has heretofore received, has left
the government without sufficient margin
of means reserved to enable it to protect it
selfin the present situation. The contract
provided that ten per cent should be re-
iained from bills ss they became due and
held as security for the completion Of the
work. At the present the
Reservations
would have amounted to $2l0,7l0. They
have been surrendered to the contractor
under circumstances not important to con.
slider with the exception ofS26, $40. In add
ton to this small sum of$26,67Oin our hands,
there are unpaid bills for extras claimed on
he ships amounting to $2G, ,6SS. %, and in
dispute on the Dolphin 29,945 O8, alto
getbor (mcstly in dispute) $83,3O4 03. As
against this, four ships are in. your bands
upon viii b over $4,000, 900 has been paid,
which must be completed to be valuable,
liable to greater deterioration by neglect
than all the monies unpaid and
in dispute would repay. 1t is Of the
utmost consequence to the Government, as it
is to yourselves that Just settlement of the
past transactions shosld be had and a new
departure made.
/ suggest as q practical method Of arriv,
ing at solution, a meeting OF yourselves
and your counsel with the attorney-ge generals
myself, at which some practical method Of
dealing with the subject may be arrived al
which shall be legal.