New-York tribune., 1885-07-24
MR.. GARLANUS BLUNDER.

MR.. GARLANDS BLUNDER.
The World rcseuts the imputatiOn that the
Administration has sought to crush John hoach.
1t contends that the contractor has been paid
more than 100000 for the construction OF
the Dolphin and the cruisers and that there is
less than 100000 due on the entire series OF
transactions. Since there is not more than
S15, 900 or $4,000 unpaid on the Dolphin it
pronounces the charge that the Administration
has bankrupted the contractor rs a glaring
fraud and falsehood and as shallow pretence.
Its energetic manner does not surprise Us, since
the accusation that the Government has driven
out of trade a great firm with a payroll OF
$31 900 n week is very serious one In these
hard times. Since the November election there
has been as much business depression rs the
partisans of the Administration care to account
for on general grounds. When a large firm IL
compelled i'm consequence of the Governments
warfare and persecution to rclinquish business
and to throw $500 skilled mechanics out of
lemployment, the commercial community draws
its own inierences.
But what are the facts Grant for the sake
of the argument that The " ortd is correct in
Iassuming that the sum of 81, 600 900 was paid
ON the contracts for the four vessels and that
the balance still due does not exceed 100000
Under Attorney General Garlands opinion,
John Roach is liable for every dollar that has
been paid for the Dolphin; and if the same
principle be applied to the cruisers, he is liable
for the entire amount which he has received on
the contracts. lie wisely called a halt in the
interest of his creditors when he found that the
Administration through its legal adviser had
Al.
virtually pronounced him indebted to the Gov
ernment for every dollar received aud that he
would be left with four vessels on his hands
practically condemned as worthless. Attorney
General Garland had rendered it impossible for
him to complete the cruisers. the validity OF
the contracts was denied and the Government
was threatening him with litigation tor the
recovery of $2,00O,000. The assignment
under the circumstances was compulsory. me
UorIds argument that the outstanding Dal-
anccs are comparatively small is a shallow
prctcnce.
The truth is that the Administration has
been sorely embarrassed by the Attorney
Generals opinion Not only has it been placed
in the unenviable position of forcing great
ship-building firm to suspend business, but it
mas also been made the laughing stock pf the
American DlI. iHt ltPii 'hNSt w WV 'f'"''' -
TO relieve Mr.. Roach's bondsmen OF response
bility and to leave the Governments interests
entirely unprotected. The youngest .attorney
out of law school can perceive that If there Is
no contract, there is no liability for the compile
ton or satisfactory construction oil the ips,
and consequently that neither the builder nor
the bondsmen are under obligations to the
Government. The only redress open to the
Government would be a fantastic suit for the
recovery of the money paid under contracts
that are pronounced invalid; and very little
discernment is required TO forecast the result OF
such proceedings.
Indeed, Attorney General Garland's opinion
is so crude and illogical that we do not believe
that so good n lawyer rs Secretary whitney
I will consider himself bound to abide by it. lie
ought not to consent 10 occupy an .untenaDlc
position but ought at once 10 relieve the
4 Administration from its embarrassmcnts by
1cnabing Mr.. Roach TO resume business and to
finish the cruisers. Secretary Whitney 5
motives i'm the controversy respecting the
Dolphin no one has any desire TO impugn. lie
il n Just and generous man, who ought to
receive full credit for sincerity of purpose ;
and he is too astute politician aud too sound "A
lawyer to be bcguiled by His colleagues
preposterous logic