The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-03-31

Mr.. Illlman. NOW, gentlemen,
those of you who do not feel so thin
skined, who know you are honest.
who feel that you are the agentonly OF
the State which you represent, please
listen.
The Secretary read as follows:
THE CHARGES AGAINST TIE COMPANY.
First. The plates did not receive the
uniform treatment required by the
Specifications OF the contracts. In
many cases the treatment was irregu-
lar and in other cases it was practical
~ inefficient. The specifications OF
the contract of February 2S, 1898, re-
aired that each plate should be an
nealed, oil tempered, and again an
nealed, the last process being an an
! healing one.
Second. False reports OF the treat
ment OF the plates were Systematically
made by the government inspectors.
This was in violation Of paragraph 80
Of the circular concerning armor-plate
appurtenances, dated January IL, 1893,
which was made a part OF the con-
tract. Paragraph IS says:
1.-The contractor shall state for eaca
articie in writing the exact Treatment
it has received"
The specifications of the contract Of
November 30, 1890, paragraph l64,
says:
ga written statement of work and
contractors tests to be commenced ano
in progress each day must be furnished
to the chief inspector.
Third. No bolts received the double
treatment provided for in the speclh.
cations of either contract. a report OF
a double treatment, however, was
made to the government inspectors.
Fourth. Specimens taken from the
plates both before and after treatment
to ascertain the tensile strength OF
each plate were stretched without the
knowledge of the government inspec.
tors, so as to increase their apparent
tensile strength when actually tested.
Fifth. False specimens taken from
ether plates were substituted for the
specimens selected by tae government
inspectors
Sixth. The testing machine was re-
peatedly manipulated by order OF the
uperintendent of the armor plate MILL
so as to increase the apparent tensile
strength of the specimens. These
specimens were juggled in measure
ment so as to increase their apparent
ductility.
Seventh. Various specimens selected
by the government inspectors were
retreated without their knowledge be-
fore they were submitted to test.
Eighth. Plates selected by the Gov
ernment inspectors for ballistic test
| were re-treated with the intention OF
improving their ballistic resistance,
without the knowledge of the Govern
ment inspectors. In one case, at least,
the conclusion is almost irresistible
that the bottom of another plate was
substituted for the top half of plate A
619 after it had been selected by the
Government and while awaiting ship
| ment to Indian Head. Upon this bal
listic test group of plates containing
34S tons, valued at about $3.50, 600, were
to be accepted or rejected. In three
cases, at least, the plates selected by the
IGovernment inspectors were retreat
| ed in this manner without their knoWl-
edge. Those balistic plates represent
ed 779 tons of armor, valued at over
S41, 900. The groups represented oy
these three plates had all been sub.
mitted for premium of $50 per ton If
they passed mora severe test tnan
jrequired for acceptance.
Ninth. In violation OF the specln-
cations of the contract, pipes or SHRINK
ing cavities, enormously called blow
| holes, in the plates wers plugged by
the contractors and the defects con.
cealed from the Government inspect
ors. These cavities, in some cases, ol,
mlnisned the resistance and value OF
the plate.
Tenth. The inspectors stamp was
either duplicated or stolen, and used
without the knowledge of the Govern
ment inspectors.
Eleventh. The Government IN
spector in inspecting bolts was de-
ceived by means OF false templets OF
Igauges.
Mr.. Tillman. Mr.. President, those
were the charges, and the testimony
is there to show that every word OF
them was admitted and confessed be-
fore committee of the House of Rep
t,esentatlves, and that House, without
division-because even the Repuoll
cans over there dared not face their
constituents for reelection and hight
tne investigation-passed resolution
to have certain plates taken OH the
vessels of the Navy and have them
put through the necessary test to show
the frauds and prove them. Mr.. Car
neige was fined by the Secretary Of
| the Navy and, by some hokus pokus
this glorious President of ours, who,
| God be thanked, goes out OF power II
two days from now, RENTED that hne
1.-The thieves were caught; they con
fessed that they had robbed tha Gov
Iernment; the House OF Representa-
Itives sent to you resolution to have
certain plates tested upon your new
| Navy to prove the frauds which hac
| been practiced upon the Government
That resolution came over here ane
went to sleep and died without action
and Mr.. Carnegie sports his steam
Yacht and floats back to Scotland tt
| his game preserve, and writes gold
bug literature to tell the American
people how they ought to behave
themselves. He can come to Con
oress and come TO the President. anC
get such recognition as he mas had
, Why should he not sport steam yacht
!, and live in palaces2 Why not: H'
can conduct private business; yes; oh
yes; brt we can not. We can no
compete with him, because there /
too much red tape here, TOO nuct
eight-hour law, too much this. to-
much t'other created here by pollt!ca
influences to stop the wheels of al
honest Administration and to rob tn
people and make millionaires at tn
L. ~ 4bo who o ~ O ~ 70