Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-28
N TAKE R0ACH'S SHIPS,
-o,prARY WHITNEY is NOT
sh1 nm i1,i, on TRE CONTRACTOR.

r.. A.signees and Their CounSsi 60 ~
INC 70 Confer With the Naval secre-
and the Attorney Seher~i-A
t"S reclamation of the fresens
s.a,ns of the Contracts
uI..ptydroN, July 2L-Secretary
s,',aa.y said to-day that he had no doubt
w., "u'T tbe government would have to take
si"' .frished cruisers in John Roach's
~. and complete them itself. 1his
na. ho considered as the probable out
m'! 81 tba conference which he agrees
I'll with the representatives of John
nah ~ in the letter to Roach's assignees,
r. "a the Associated Press tonight.
,o,orv Whitney also said that he be-
yorod that Mr.. Roach's failure was an
pV, - oro but he did not think that the
-s~orcmept could be held responsible Tor
.,roa the treatment accorded Mr..
! sab Inv the government had been, 10
a,r tho least. exceedingly liberal.
,vrrER FROM SECRETARY WHITNEY.
Secretary Whitney has sent the follow
;.g letter to George w. Qulntard ana
4 amor gentlemen, to whom John koach
4 made an assignment
mAt our interview in New York w ed
rosJsy last yGu requested me to take into
eopsijeratiOn the condition OF each OF the
4 contracts between the government ana
lam Roach. pending and incomplete, ana
+ N view Of his assignment make some
Il imposition as to the method OF dealing
vit6 the whole subject. gave you as
snronees tnat would do so and commu-
q mc,te after reaching Washington. AS
# yieg the matter the rules which govern
81 Individuals in these business transactions
shoud govern the action Of the Depart
81 nent
MUST ACT AS AN INDIVIDUAL.
UAtalleyents. if There is q different rule
troper 10 be applied am not aware of it.
81 Sydutv heretofore has seemed very SIM
"A pe and plain. 1t has been to insist upon
strict enforcement of contract Obliga-
VI cations as interpreted to me without re-
gar to consequences. That is the ordi-
nary plain business method, departure
from which in public affairs can have no
Justification, and IN like manner | know
Of no reason why the ordinary principle
which actu8tes merchants in dealing with
each other, aud in accordance with which
generous consideration is extended ordl-
Iarily to an unfortunate business assOci-
ate, should not govern the action OF the
+ department under similar circumstances.
THE BUSINESS METHOD.
''The business method of dealing with
the matter which would be pursued by
2priyate parties, would be, first,
H. become satisfied that the
assignmentwas in good faith and then
consider the best method from business
standpoint Of bringing about a settlement
IN the current and incomplete contracts
upon fair and Just basis for both par
ties II | have the power, therefore. |
Y Slll enter INTO consideration with you on
ne point to which the contracts have
een performed, and endeavor to settle
+ pon some Just and far basis for the dis
osal OF the matter. OF this | informed
ou at our meeting IN New York. This
aurse, Just aud right under all circum-
tanees, IS compulsory upon the govern
aent IN the present case.
R0Acn's LIBERAL TREATMENT.
The very liberal treatment which the
Ohuactor has heretofore received mas left
government without sufficient margin
moneys reserved TO enable II to prOtec
ssu I'd The present situation. The con
el provides that 10 BE-. cent. should be
* 1'ahed lfom the bills as they came due
VA neld as security for the completion of
s vessel AT the present time those re-
'A,I'ns would have amounted to $2l0,-
lueE nave been surrendered TO the
9uuac'of under circumstances not i'm
Al ,a'alt to consider now, with the excep-
W. 5000. In addition 10 this small
aHi iti " pa$S $Sz0o'Oin our hands there are un-
aug ,Als lor extras claimed on the ships
algn1ntlng to S23GSS %, and in dispute on
~ 9,lpdiu $3.50 0S. altogether (mOst-
III dispute SS3, 304 Oh.
HoAcH's ADVANTAGE.
~, A. against this, four ships are in your
oe, Upon which over 100000 have
81 \" Palu, which must be completed 10 be
"O,e' a', laDle to greater deterioration
/ IA seot ,bnt Than all the moneys unpaid
i 'Dan nose in dispute would repay.
.ove-a.. 'ue utmost consequence to the
Nd so.,ll r'guy' as II Is to yourselves, that a
o,,s s"'uemeut of past traneactions
~ Dsda pe had, and new departure
f. srry, suggest as "A practical method
,eotin.n at solution of the matter "A
I'M n. VI yourselves and your counsel
A. ybi,h attorney General and myself.
. ia ~ MIX soue practical method of deal
bicb ,I W. i,, t9e subject may be arrived at
- We within my legal authority"