The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-24
DEPARTMENT FRAUDS.
Queer Developments I'm the Quarter
master's Bureau at Washington.

masters Bureau at WaSnlnktOns
The New York Herd!ds Washington des-
patches published this morning contain the
iollowing:-
some Queer developments In regard to the
manner in which our common uncles property
is disposed of by officers OF the army who are
accountable for Its preservation have been made
within the last few days. These di.cl)sures
prove that all the departments OF the Govern
ment are given to slight irregularities IN
handling the public property and money. The
country has been entertained for many months
past with rich revelations concerning frauds In
the Treasury, Post Office, aud Interior Depart
ments; but since the questions OF who made the
most money IN the Ordnance Bureau has quie!ed
down and who did the most pro itaOle busiues
In paying the bounties to colored troops has
been hushed up, very little in relation to
frauds in the War Department has appeared.
Now the War Department comes in again for
charges of questionable dealing, II no. OF
downright fraud. This time the Q1artermas-
ter's Bureau is the scene of operations. There
is good deal OF difficulty encountered in
ascertGinlng the exact facts in the case, but
what little Is known ls enough TO show very
clearly that certain officers or the army have
either been guilty of preneditated fraud or
grossly wronged. The facts so far rs they are
knoIn, are as follows:-In July and August
last Forts 9. f. smith and Reno, in Montana
Territory, we're abandoned, and the United
States property was sold at auction. II
is Contended by many persons who are well
acquainted with affairs IN that country that
the order to abandon those forts created no
little surprise, as the necessity for their connu-
ance was then, and is yet, Just as as great when
they we're established. The order, however,
was issued, and advertisements, ltils said, were
published In several Western papers, announc-
ing that the buildings and other public property
at these forts would be sold to the highest bid
ders on or about The lst of June. Those who
dwelt in the vicinity of these spots we're well
aware OF the value Of public property there,
and its worth was variously estimated at from
$l00, goo to 5000 600. One individual, believing
tnat in order to settle up affairs as speedily as
possible the officer in charge would pro-
badly sell the property at a large sacrifice,
went to the General Com manding and Offeredhim
$40, 600 for the whole concern at Fort Smith.
The General gave him announcement to expect
that his offer would be accepted. When the
person who made the offer came a few days
later to close the bargain, and pay a portion of
the money, the General informed him that he
could not dispose of the property at private
sale, and when he spoke to him about IL before
be wac not aware that the property was already
advertised for sale at auction. When the day
of sale arrived no bidders appeared,
responsibility of postpouing it for about
ten days. AT the expiration of that time
a very small group OF persons were assembled,
considering the great value OF the property for
sale and the large number of people in that part
OF the country who needed just such materials
as were to be sold. The absence OF bidders was
an indication that there was screw loose
somewhere, and it is intimated that the loose
announcement of the sale was made. At all
events, there. were but few persons
present, and all of them proved to be
spectators, except one. Only one bidder could
be found and all the public property at Fort
Smith, estimated to be worth nearly 100000.
was Knocked down to the single bidder for
$4,000. This property consisted of several build
ngs, one steam sawmill. one water MILL saw
and grist large quantity OF clothing, camp
and garrison equipaee, quartermaster's stores,
stoves, etc: The steam mill sold for 6fty dollars
sud the other articles in proportion. The only
explanation OF this alarming sacrifice of public
property is that the forts had to be abandoned,
as the, troops were to be Withdrawn,
and the country was filled with
hostile Indians. The sale was advertised
as extensively as possible for three months
before it occurred. There is no law which
authorizes accounting officers TO sell United
States property IN any other way than by auc-
ton, and if the property had not been sold
at that time it would have been necessary to
destroy 1t to prevent the Indians from obtaining
possession. The property at Fort Reno was
sacrificed, it is alleged, in the same manner, and
the lucky purchaser, not Withstanding Ne hos
tilty of the Indians, took Oft his bargains and
realized TO the tune Of 100000.