Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-07-01
THE SUBSTITUTE BROKER BUsE.
SS-HOW 1T WAS CARRIED ON.
ne 50. Louis Repubhcan says -.

The st. Louis RepubhcGn says:
"The application of A. H, Hummitch
bankrupt, for discharge, which was par
TALLY heard On Friday last, came on for
final hearing on Saturday. The principal
ground of objection, as stated by the attor-
neys for the creditors is, that the applicant
willfully swore falsely by stating that he
ouly made 500 while engaged in the sub
stitute business, whereas the fact was that
he acquired large amount of property by
it, which be had concealed.
Alexander Lowry was called as a wit
ness in the case. He said he was occupied
with substitute brokerage in 1864 and 1865
10 both the first and seconds districts. The
price paid by brokers for substitutes was
from $500 to 5000, and the average amount
Of net profit made by him was $50 per sub
stitute. He knew that Hummitch, with a
partner named Charles Ruhl, was engaged
in the business a considerable time. The
substitutes offered were black and white,
but up to certain time there were no blacks
admitted; after that the substitutes were
mainly black. Witness had no runners
and he made good deal less than other
brokers. Whatever substitutes he OBJ
tanned were brought from the Provost Mar
shaPs Office and he had to pay a high
er price for them than others. He
thought Hummitch furnished him one or
two substitutes. The price for substitutes
was higher soon after the drafting than be-
fore. He began business in June, 1864,
and continued until March, 1865 He and
his partners made about $1,000 profit, and
his share would be $4,000. He presented
about one hundred and fifty substitutes In
addition to presenting substitutes he passed
a good many enlisted men, for which be
received the amount authorized by the gov
ernment-$l5. He had seen men put in
as substitutes who had not received $40.
The business, as a general thing, was done
in a most shameful manner, and he made
representations to Col Alexander in order
thatit might be conducted right. The men
were often robbed.
"Charles Newman gave his experience
10 the substitute business. He said, as a
general rule, he sought TO make 500 on
every substitute-some times be made $500.
He got Sll00 for substitute once, aud his
profit was $3.50. He made more money on.
colored men than white men. Some rum
ners got as much as brokers did, and often
il he got $500 for a substitute he would pay
him 500, and give The Tnaaer $50, leaving
$50 for himself
Several other witnesses were called, and
after the counsel had spoken, Judge Treat
took the case under adYisement."
In has been discovered that frauds to q
heavy amount have been committed in the
Pay Department. in the payment Of bouL-
ties to negro troops. A stupid legal pro
vision gave $500 bounty to free negroes
enlisted, and Sl00 only to those who were
slaves at the time Of entering the army.
Clerks 10 the department we're sharp
enough TO discern handsome opportunity
for plumber in this arrangement. An un-
known quantity Of the enlisted slaves boun-
ties have been entered upon Che books at
$500, and the proceeds Of the swindle dir
vided between IRE Clerks and the Claim
Agents who have helped to work up the
business. The SECRETARIES Of War and the
Treasury have tsl-en vigorous measures to
find out exactly how the thing was done.
Gen. Stoneman has addressed letter to
army headquarters, saying thai an aPpro.
priation Of $4,000 will be necessary 10
.O,,rlafa 10 ,ntE q 100 ~ in