St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-28
whitney to Roach's Assignees.

WASHINGTON, July y27.-Secretary Whit
ney has sent the following letter to Mr.
George W. Quintard and the other gentle
men to whom Mr.. John Roach made an
assignment: cat our interview in New
York, on Wednesday last, you requested
me to take into consideration the condition
of each of the contracts between the gov
ernment and Mr.. John Roach pending and
III complete, and i'll view of his assignment
make some suggestion as to the method of
dealing with the whole subject. [ gave
you assurances that l would do so and COM.
munlcate after reaching Washington. As
view the matter, the rule which governs in
dividuals in these business transactions,
should govern the action of the department,
at all events. if there is a different rule
proper to be applied l am not aware
of it. My duty heretofore has seemed
to be very simple and plain. 1t has been
to insist upon the strict enforcement of
contract obligations, as interpreted to me,
without regard to consequences. That is the
ordinary plain business method, depar-
ture from which, in public officer, can
HAVE NO JUSTIFICATION,
and in like manner 1 know of no reason
why the ordinary principle which actuates
merchants in dealing with each other, and
in accordance with which generous consid-
Grafton is extended ordinarily to an unfortu-
nate business associate, should not govern
the action of the department under similar
circumstances. The business method of
dealing with the matter, which would be
pursued by private parties, would be
first to become satisfied that the
assignment was in good faith and then to
consider the best method from business
standpoint of bringing about a settlement
cNf lott
a fair and just basis for both parties.
If 1 have the power. therefore, L
will enter into the consideration with
you of the extent to which the con-
tracts have been performed, and endeavor
settle upon some just and fair basis for the
disposal of the matters OF this | informed
you at our meeting in New York. This
course, just and right under all circum-
stances, is compulsory upon the govern
ment in the present case. The very liberal
treatment which the contractor has hereto
fore received has left the government with
out sufficient margin of moneys reserved to
enable it to protect itself in the present
situation.
THE CONTRACT PROVIDED
that 10 per cent. should be retained from
bills as they come due and held as security
for the completion of the work. At the
pl6oCllb llLlo' l1OSG IeoOINdblODS WOulQ udN0
amounted to $21O, 10. They have been
surrendered to the contractor under circum-
stances not important to consider now,
with the exception of S26,670. In addition
to this small sum of S26.67O in
our hands, there are unpaid bills for
extras claimed on the ships, amounting to
$40, ,6SS.95, and in dispute on the Dolphin
S29, ,945.0S; altogether (mostly in dispute,l
SS3, 304.03. AS against this. ships are in
your hands, upon which over 50, 900, 900
have been paid, which must be completed
to be valuable and are liable to greater de-
teriOratiOn by neglect than all the moneys
paid in dispute would repay.
1t is of the utmost consequence to
the government, as it is to yourselves, that
a just settlement of past transactions should
be had, and new departure made. l sug-
gest, as practical method of arriving at
solution of the matter, meeting of your
selves and your counsel with the attorney
general and myself, at which some practi-
cal method of dealing with the subject may
be arrived at which shall be within my
legal authority.