Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-19

The Secretary of the Navy has begun
an inves. alton Of the affairs Of the
NAVY Department in a methOdical and
painstakug way. He has employed an
expert accountant to examine them. In
the course Of a few months, doubtless,
report Will be furnished showing exactly
how the vast sums of money that have
been annually appropriated for the pur-
poses of the navy since the Republican
party came into power have been ex-
pended.
There are suspicious that Secretaries
Robson and Chandler helped their favor
ties and favored their friends in a way
that was not creditable, and that some OF
their transactions, when made public In
an authoritative way, will create sensa-
ton.
Already several stories have appeared
in print concerning Chambers trans
actions during the last few days
of his official life. which leave the impress
sion that many thousands of dollars were
maid out for which nothing valuable
was received. One Of the stories Is that
$4,000 was paid Gen. Butler, as the at
torney for the owner of patent process
for preserving wood. Nobody around
the Navy Department seems to know
what the department wants with
natent of this kind. Another story is that
Chandler appointed one OF his particular
friends an inspector of the new cruisers
ordered by Congress, and paid him the
entire sum that he would have earned, If
he had performed the work required of
him. before his duties began. The vessels
are not yet ready for inspection, but
Chandeliers friend has resigned. He got
his money but rendered no service.
There is no need to recall any OF the
charges that were made against Robson.
The country is familiar with them. There
was no chance to investigate them as long
as the Republicans remained in control Of
the government. There is now, however,
a chance to get at the truth.
1t was stated some time ago that Chan
der intended to remain in Washington
and manage his newspaper, the National
Republican, and that he proposed to make
il lively for the administration. If that
statement ever had any foundation 1t is
evident that he has thought it wise not to
pursue that course. He is much more
likely to occupy a defensive rather than
an aggressive position during the next
year or two. His record is altogether too
vulnerable for him to throw stones at the
administration.
He wants to go to the Senate, and,
doubtless, he will do his best to succeed
Senator Blair. The very unpleasant time
that ex Secretary Teller is having in the
Senate, however, may check his ambition
in that direction. Savage as are the at
tacks on Senator Teller for his action in
connection with the Backbone land grant
business, they are mild compared to the
attacks that would be made on Chandler
for some Of his transactions while at the
head of the Navy Department.
1t is probable that Secretary Whitney's
example will be followed by the other
secretaries, and that all the departments
will be thoroughly Overhauled. There
must have been a great deal of crooked
ness in the Treasury and Interior Depart
ments. Whatever wrong-dCing there has
been ought to be made public. The coun-
try was kept we'll posted as TO all that the
Republican party did that was good and
praiseworthy, and now it wants to know
all that it did that was discreditable, and,
consequently, was kept concealed. Let
all the facts be made public.