Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-01-21


instant
Mr.. HOLMAN asked unanimous consent to offer Il
following resolution:
Whereas it has been pabcly charged that frauds MATE
rally a ong the interests Of the Government have been
recently committed by persons AMI officers connected with
furnishing supplies the army and that persons charged
with such frauds and wit the embezzlerent OF the public
money and the appropriation to their Of public pro-
perty under their cia control have brought 10
speedy trial for The offences cha ged them where
to impair the confidence OF the people the integrity their
Government; Therefore,
Resolod That committee of seven members be appont
ed by the Spe ker to inquire into and upon contracts
made during the for and transportation
for the army and whether the have been made by
yersng Tor proposals in with law in reference
furnishing supple. for the Government an If not rea
son therefor and the reasonabenes Of such contracts and
all the facts and circumstances connected Herewith Ao
whether contracts let in accordance with The epecca
tons inviting proposals. and if not the for the came
Government sted either directly or indirectly In
such contracts whether made for pro-
posas oherwise also whether there has been any nm
reasonable and unnecessary delay in the proper trial OF OH
and persons connected with for furnishing sup
miscopdrct preudca to the interests of the
and such has been the case the for such delay that
said committee send for and may
inc witnesses under OATH and report at any time.
4 Mr.. GRINNELL i desire to ask the gentleman from
Indiana (Mr. HoLMAN) whether he has any particular
to present for the action OF the House, Has he any
particular grievance to which he refer ground
for the action which he now proposes2
Mr.. HOLMAN. can name several which should be
the subject of an investigation.
Mr.. GRINNEEL. / would be glad if the gentleman
Mr.. HOLMAN. II the House thinks proper to hear
me- will be glad to several instances calling for
investigation.
Mr.. GRiNNELL i only want to say this: Let the
gentleman from Indiana present to the House speclfca
tons aud not general charges and will 20 as far az he
or other member of this House will 90 for the pur-
pose OF securing investigation But think that the
pending resolution is too general If this practice is TO
prevail think that might spend the whole of the ses
sion IN Submitting resolutions appointing committees, and
carrying on fruess Investigations do not want to stay
the whole year here for any euch purpose opposed
therefore, to the passage of this resolution unless the gen.
tlemsn from Indiana will bring forward specifications
name persons and particular matters, SO that may
know exactly what doing.
MIR. HOLMAN Mr.. Speaker, the resolution contem-
plates an inquiry into two classes Of cases. specifies
two subjects of examination The gentleman from Iowa
requires specific instances of fraud cannot refer to
them all this would be impossible. must state few
facts as briefly possible II thought that the House
would have patience to listen at this late hour might feel
disposed to 20 into the subject more fully.
What does the resolution propossf 1t first directs an
inquiry as to what contracts have been made without ad
vertisng for proposal is required by law where such
contracts have been made, the why the law
not compiled with and aso in such the reasonable
OF the contracts themselves. And, secondly and
think the Important point embraced in the resolution
have offered s why parties charged with frauds against
the Government have not be brought TO trial before the
proper tribunals.
The gentleman from Iowa calls for special cases where
accusations brought against parties for frauds against the
Government have been delayed in being brought TO trial
will call the attention Of my friend to the case of an
assistant qlnrtermaster at Cincinnati, Captain F. W.
Hurt So lar back as last July August he waa
piac d under arrest has been uniformly asserted by
order OF Genaral Burnside, charged with the grave
offence OF fraud and embezzlement in conoexion with
his official duties as qnartermaster at that post.
am informed that board OF officers, under the orders
OF General Burnside examined into the facts and re-
ported on them, fully sustaining the charges court
martial was organized for the purpose Of trying the case
This was as far back August OF last year. After many
delays. for which unexplained am informed
that the courtmartal dissolved without any trial Of
the IL said that the court-martia was dis
solved by order OF the War Department Captain Hurtt
instead of being tried ordered to Washington IN No
vember December and thea, and quite recently
he has been remanded to Cincinnati and is still at large
and uotried
state with confidence based not only on newspaper
Statements but other Of information that the
charges against Capt HURT of most grave and
rous character and were fully sustained by the official
examination and involved Other pat ties aud through all
OF this period and up to this moment he has not
brought to trial. that during the long months which have
interviewed there has beeu nvesg alton into the matter
insist, air, that when public oicerI not what
may be his position stations charged with acts of
fraud in connexon with the discharge OF his official dues
he shall be brought by the Government speedy trial
or the offence that the facts should be fully disclosed
that the people may have conf enos that public officers
charged with official misconduct to the public injury will
be punished.
could mention but / do not desire unpecessarilv 70
occupy the time OF the House, many instances where
charges of embevzemen POPULATIONS and fraud on the
part OF public officers have been made and again
10 the public prints, and where extraordinary and
counabe delays have occurred in bringing the parties 10
trial and merted punishment To ascertain the OF
these delays is primary object Of this resolution If the
gentleman from Iowa does not want these frauds nves
gated If h, does desire the Of the aimnstra-
ton OF public affairs to pure il he wants The public
money rttered away in fraudulent transactions; it, in
word he desires that parties charged 10 the public press
aud by the public voice with embezzement OF the public
funds and official corruption shall not be brought to speedy
Justice he should object TO this resolution If that be- tho
position that the gentleman and the majority Of this House
occupy the the country knows il the better So
far concerned, do not ask that this resolution
shall DO passed for any party partisan purpose nor do
seek this investigation merely for the purpose of Affect
such purpose but by Of public duty in seeking
to rest the peculaon and fraud which now prey upon
the country II public Off holding public trust
care not what be his political creedis charged with
violating bis trust and committing fraud upon the public
Treasury in tangible form sha vote TO secure prompt
Veshgson The people whose rights involved may
Justly demand this IL the gentleman from Iowa offsets
70 the resolution may b. weeks months, under
the tues Of the House, before can be brought up for
non again The responsibility is with him.
Mr. GRINNELL The gentleman from Indiana has
made an extraordinary speech In explain alton OF his
luton believe sir that speak for this side Of the
House tnat it has objected to any investigation
where there had been specific charge OF pecuaton,
that supplies furnished without advertising for pro-
posals And tha aide If the House will object to
any such investigation 10 the future.
The gentleman speaks Of supplies being furnished
without advertisement for proposals think his resolu
said nothing about that matter. He talks about
gentleman from Indiana having suffered from hs acts Of
Gen Burnside Let him present in hs resoluton nsr