The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-06
Friends Of John G. Thompson Displeased
with the Character Of His Reward.
The President Rebukes q Democrat Who
Recommended an Unfit Man for Office
Congressman Morrison Seriously Ill.
ON A COLD TRAIL.
Secretary Whitney's Intellectual Efforts to
Discover Frauds in His Department.

Secretary Whitney's Intellectual Efforts to
Discover Frauds in His Department..
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5--One of the first acts
Of reform, by the new administration in the
Navy Department, which was brought about
soon after the Inauguration of President Cleve-
land, in March, was the employment of Mr.
Calhoun, of California, said to be a celebrated
expert accountant, for the purpose of going over
the books of the Navy Department, with the
ultimate object of simplifying the accounts in
order that there might be no moro such scandals
as were unearthed by Secretary Chandler in the
medical department, and the later one, as the
result of which Paymastergeneral Smith
is now on trial. The compensation
of Mr.. Calhoun was fixed at
twenty dollars per diem, and it was expected
that his work would show great results, 1t
is no w five months since Mr. Calhoun began his
investigations. He has had four assistants to
help him during that time, and the total expense
has been forty seven dollars a day. Thus far
the only tangible result has been few columns
of figures which appeared in the Democratic
organ here last Saturday, which were compiled
to show that Mr.. Roach the shipbuilder, had
been paid out to shipbuilders by the Navy De.
partment in the last twenty years. 1t is now
announced that the Secretary has appointed
board of naval officers to inquire into the meth
DDS of bookkeeping in the department and to sug
gest, if possible. improved and simpler means. 1t
is not learned whether this means that this naval
board is to report improvements upon the meth
DDS of Mr. Calhoun and his assistants, or whether
they are to report Improvements upon the Old
system In any event, it would seem that the
head of the Navy Department has got himself
into a snarl, and that after all, there cannot be
so much reform in this branch of the govern
ment service as was expected and promised at
the outset 1t is likely that some inquiring con-
gressmen will ask Mr. Whitney, next session, to
explain the work of Mr.. Calhoun. 1t may be
that the information which will be forthcoming
will be of interest to the general public. Mr..
Whitney has not yet been in public life long
enough to learn that when Congress calls for in
formation it must be furnished, and he
may not take kindly to the way some members
have of insisting upon prompt compliance with
their demands fer information. The Secretary
of the Navy has a new rule, which has just been
promulgated in the department, and THAT is that
no officer shall give out any matter Of news to
any newspaper man or anyone else who desires
it. Everything that happens in the department.
or that comes to the knowledge Of the officials
civil and naval, must be transmitted to the chief
clerk hereafter, and that officer will give out to
the press such matter as he deems proper and
fitting. Reformers who are earnest in their
reform are never chary in allowing the light to
enter upon their work. The Secretary of the
Navy has thus far adopted every precaution
against allowing the introduction of light