, 1862-01-06

of War has ordered an investigation into
the late instance referred to in our columns
Of shipment Of pine scantling from Pitts
burgl to Fort Lcayenworth 1t is certain
the lumber went forward, passing through
this city last week As to the details, and
the economy Of the shipment, an investiga-
ton will best show. The winter is a good
time To clear up some Of these things, and
turn the light upon the transactions Of the
men who profess patriotism, and at the
same time are fattening on the spoils Of the
nation in its troubles.
At time when there is so much to COM
plain Of so many glaring abuses, so many
frauds that are deliberate, and so many
t1unde1s that always seem to turn up on
the profit side Of fraud, it is gratifying to
be able 10 cite instances Of another Kind, as
showing that the Government is being well
served. And the example is one that
should be followed We refer to the Quar-
tcr1naster's Department at Chicago, now in
charge of Capt. Potter, Z. S. i. So rapid
has been the growth Of this department in
this city, that Capt. Potter's predecessor,
the late lamentcd Col Webb had thrown
upon him the four departments Of the
Quartermastcr, Subsistence, Ordnance, and
Mastering. All but the first named are
now devolYed upon separate officers.
In the Quartermaster' Department an
immcnse amount of labor is created by the
extent Of the military field that looks to it
for supply. There have been some changes
introduced by Capt. Potter, at large say
ing to the Government. In the instance o1
rations, the contract for IL cents per day
was Immediately broken by him, and the
rations equally well furnished at Il 9-1C
cents per day. 4 similar change was made
I in the contract for forage, from boarding
horses by the day, to the actual cost Of fec6
in this city, for the regular issues as pre-
scribed in the army regulations.
Capt. Potter's policy has been to gre tn
Goccrnmcnt the adca'tdge Of actual bargain
as any business man srould make them isah
o1r7 5usiness. The Government fixes til
maximum at which contracts can be made
Do all OUT officers understand that it is NJ
: a REASONABLE offence to make bargains whic
shall obtain for the Government the sam
advantage that men in private business e1
: 10y?
We fear melancholy apprehension o
this subject has prevailed which has C,
posed the Government TO heary loss. TAX
the instance Of transportation Of troop
: How scrupulous have been our Nortl
western Co1oncls that the price prescribe'
taro cents per mile, should not be intra
!, ted Captain Potter has made actu
!, bargains with the railroad comp
S MES at prices the result Of col
C petition, which has saved to the Cover
S ment the liberal sums the railroads ha'
It been willing to place in private pockc
0 There is no Law against doing this. T.
J. Government is not aSerse to the good IT
T. Of private Life, Of buying where it can b
=, cheapest. But there hss been grleTo
10 misconception on the subject, duly rep
n scntcd in the bills the people have yet to p;
10 And, again, in tho purchase Of hors
"a What IL solemn Obligation was there re
IS ing upon the contractor Of horses that
re should receive not less than $110 for eys
Ell horse. It was the law, and who would
'er law-breakers The Government fixed
x maximum, but there was no moral obli|
81 ton that row Of middle men should
n- rich. in turning over $50 stccds ut 81
lat Government price" Capt. Potter has
CIR 4 large contract for $8475, and will get
IN good horses as under the former higl
1tJ contracts The Government does not
OF nberatcly regulate" itself out Of tax
led every advantage Of the horse market,
es; the prices Of hay, corn, pork, or white be;
vi We note these things gladly as pertain
ear to management Of war expenditures
1ey Chicago and they should be initiated c
i'd where