Year: 1876

MINoRIrY-sTRoNG DENUNCIATIONs OF THE


MAJORITY REPORT - SECRETARY RoBEsoN


GUILTLEss OF ANY wRoNGDoING WHATEVER.
The views OF the minority OF tho Committee
Naval Affairs, signed by Representatives Harris, of
Massachusetts,; Danforth, OF Ohio, and Hays, Of
Alabama, was presented to-day in the House OF Repre-
sentatves The minority severely crI!icsc the majority
report alleging that is unfair in its statements fa
lacious in its conclusions, evidently prompted by
partisan spirit, ignores entirely testimony favorable TO
the Naval Department and pervers other portions in
such ways to inct gross injustice upon the Secre
tary and other officers The minority also severely
criticize the manner OF the majority in making their
investigation and in preparing their report. alleg.
ing that tho republican members were excluded
from any share IN tho performance OF the
latter duty. In reply 10 the charge of the ma
jority ms to the alleged deterioration or the navy
under the present administration the minority show
that the navy is to-day more efficient condition
than has been at any time since 1862 notwthstand.
ing the limited means placed at the disposal OF the Sec
retary. The policy OF rebuilding vessels that would
have become useless is defended by the minority
economical prudent and judicious, and they say
stead OF censure for this the majority PROPOSE tho
Secretary deserves the thanks of the entire country


Tho exchange and utilizing OF old material in tho
work OF rebuilding vessels is also shown have been



advantageous TO the service.


With regard to the contracts and purchases, for
which the majority severely the Secretary,
implying corrupt action his part the testimony of
all witnesses entirely concurrent, proving that
no single instance has the Secretary endcavored
to influence any purchase contract either directly
or indirectly, by ntimaton or otherwise


The charge by the majority that the Secretary had
used government materials, and the labor OF en-
ployes, for his private benefit pronounced by
the minority frivolous and unsupported by testi-
mony.


In respect to speculatons Of E. G. Cattell and his
levying percentages contractors the minority shows
these operations carried on without the
knowledge OF the Secretary of the Navy, and that
as soon he advised of such prac-
ticcs he nerposcd vigorously to check them.
Whatever abuses frauds exist in connection with
contracts for purchases OF the Navy Department
the results OF defects inherent in the system long
established, and for which tie lawmakng power and
not the department is responsible and for which
the majority suggest adequate remedy, although
they have been engaged in investigation for months
The minority say as TO the political influence
ciscd in navy yard appointments that that evil is
which originated under and iostered by all pre-.
democratic Administrations that the only effort
check has been made under the present republican
nsiration, and that such political appointments
arc attributable chiefly to the opportunities OF mem-
bers of Congress and the of the Secretary
and the respective chiefs of bureaus


The minority enter fully INTO the examination of the
foreign navy account IN London, showing the action
the Secretary entirely legal and It's results bene
fetal TO the government dollar OF the fund has
been DO lost


Tho minority review generally the positions taken
by the majority in order to show in many respects



testimony OF witnesses


The minority say that the proposal OF the majority
to refer the whole subec, another committee of the
House for final disposition indicates either disposition
to evadc tho responsibility imposed upon the Naval
COMMITTEES by the House conscious inability to dis
pose Of the subject committed to them in q satisfactory
manner


The vows OF the minority conclude with a resolution
declaring that no evidence has been adduced during
this investigation tendn to show that Secretary Robe
son has been guilty Of any official misconduct or cor
rupuon any wul violation of law


REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL CAUCUS ON THE Ap-


PRECIPITATION BILLs-A VARIETY OF OPINIONS


ON THE RIVER AND HABBoR BILL.


The republican Senators held long caucus this
morning on the general subject Of the appropriation
bills No formal action was taken, but from tho preva-
lent tenor Of the opinions ntcrchange by large num-
Der OF those in attendance it probable that the
River and Harbor Appropriation bill will be dropped or
rejected by the Senate, and that agreement will be
reached concerning the other bills during the present
week.


Notwithstanding the fact that Of the Senators
who participated in the discussion IN favor of re-
jectng the House River and Harbor bill, and making
no appropriation whatever for that purpose this year.
other republican Senator's express the opinion that the
pending bill will pass although probably without
considerable reduction IN its aggregate and many
changes in its items.


rRoors ORDERED TO THE VICINITY OF HAM


BURG, s. C.


letter from South Carolina says-'Two compa-
nics OF tho regular garrison left Columbia for Aiken
opposite Hamburg on the 22d inst, and will remain
there all summer This is done obedience to orders
from the War Department The fighting force num-
bers sevcny-two men. Two companies had also been
ordered from Columbia TO Hamburg


GRAVE CHARGES AGAINST JUDGE HUMPHREYS


SOME STRIKING PECULIAKrTIEs OF DIS


rRIcr OF COLUMBIA JUsTIcR--THE CIRCUIT


COURT


A select committee Of the House, of which Mr.. War
ren oi Massachusetts, is chairman, has been in session
all day investigating tho charges maize by Mr. X ID.
Massey member OF the Washington Bar, against Mr..
Justice Humphreys, Of the Supreme Court Of the DIS
trIct of Columbia Tho charges are that Humphreys Is
wholly un6t mentally for judge; that he ignorant
Of law, incapable OF logical reasoning, and given
feeble vspd, hesatns disconnected utterances upon
the bench, devoid alike OF legal point and common
sense; that on the bench he is fussy ungentemanly
discoureous ovcrbeariug and oppressive that he is
frequently intoxicated the bepcn that he
has Sat in at least which he
had pccuniary interest; that hc decides motions
without argument the reading OF papers; that he
has borrowed money from members OF the Bar which
he has failed to repay that he has against
those refused to lend him money and IN favor Of
lenders and that generally by hts conduct Judge he
has hindcred justice, rendered himself pubic laugh.