Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-03
CLAIM AGENCIES. NJ
Senator wilson's Bill 10 Clean Out
the Claim Agencies and Place
Their Business I'm the
Bureau.
valiant Exploits of Two Warrington
Detectives i'm Memphis.
The Impending Detective Bureau
and its Impatient Impend.
ing Chief.
Star Chamber Proceedings In shelby
County JaiI-BusheIs of Elk
Parte Evidence.

introduced bill, which is still pending
in Congress, providing for the establish
ment of Detective Bureau, the transfer
of claim agency business to the Freed
mems Bureau, and for other purposes.
There is in Washington detective
named Hartman, formerly Q clerk, we
believe, in the Second Auditors Office,
who is very ambitious to be the chief Of
such Detective Bureau whea it is organ
lied. To promote his own private inter
ests, it seems, he had himself and a
fellow-patriot named Tustin sent on a
mission to Memphis to get mp evidence
of the necessity for such bene6cent
institution. They came some weeks ago
with flourish of trumpets, and almost
as much authority as Ben. Butler when
he conducted the telegraph business in
Washington. They even went so far as
to intercept some private dispatches, and
they had a number of colored men
thrown into prison that evidence to suit
them could be conveniently taken. But
after filling their pockets with such
Ex PARTE AFFIDAvITs,
as suited them best, they released the
prisoners, and, in hot haste to get
back to Washington, neglected to arrest
any of the wicked claim agents, or even
to prefer charges against them, except
through the newspapers. On returning
to Washington these conscientious gen.
tlemen, with an eye single, Of course, to
the financial interests of the Government,
submitted report of their wonderful ex-
ploits and discoveries. This report was
sent by the Second Auditor to the Chair
man of the Senate Committee on Pen
sions one day last week, aud, after being
published in several Northern papers,
has at length appeared in some of the
papers Of Memphis.
FRAUDS, But WHERE?
There is naturally in the late slave
States some prejudice against claim
agencies, and the business is quite diff
ferent from its workings 10 the " free "
States. Much has been said and written
against claim agents as a class, but often
by persons who knew nothing of the
details of the system. But we are willing
to give the devil his due, as well as all
mankind; and after taking some pains
| to ascertain the facts and an insight into
the mysteries of the claim and bounty
business, we fad that claim agents are
so hedged in by laws, and amendments
thereto, that they could not steal much,
If they were ever so well qualified for that
eminently proper mode Of raising the
wind. That frauds have been committed
against the Government somewhere is a
most reasonable superstition; but if we
are not greatly mistaken the impending
Detective Bureau will find plenty Of
work outside of the claim agencies.
MoDUs oPERAYDI.
For the last two years the claim agents
have not handled bounty moneys on
claims they have sent forward, and their
fees, which are specified by Law, are sent
to them from Washington regularly on
all established claims. The agent makes
out the papers ofaDy claimant for bounty,
pay, ETC., and forwards them to E. B.
French, the Second Auditor, who &C.
knowledges their reception and correct
ness In form, and premises an early ex-
animation. As sool az the claims are
investigated, if found to be correct, a pay
certificate and letter of transmission to
the claimant are forwarded to the care Of
the claim agent, Who in turn sends them
10 General Howard, of the Breedmen's
Bureau in Washington, who is made the
psyee in every case. General Howard,
through bis subordinates, examines the
papers and sends by check the fee
due the claim agent according to law,
and the agent has nothing more TO do
with the case The money due claimants
is paid by the local disbursiug agent Of
the Bureau when be receives the proper
vouchers from the chief disbnrsing on
Ger snd when the claimant is fully iden-
titled. The money sB passes through
the hands Of the Bnresn, except the fee
due the claim agent, which is retained
at Washington and sent to him as we
have already mentioned.
AGENTS FEES.
As to the amsHnt paid agents in fees
on bounty claims and the responsibility
for the disbursement of bounty funds, we
produce the following joint resolutions Of
Congress, which throws much light On the
subject:
JOINT RESOLUTION, AtPRovED MARCH 30,
1867.
resolution in reference to the collec-
ton end payment Of moneys due
colored soldiers, sailors and marines,
or their heirs.
RssOlred by the Senate and House Of
Representatives. Of The United States Of
America in Congress assembled, That
all checks and Treasury certificates to be
issued In the settlement Of claims for
pay, bounty, prize-money, or other
moneys due 10 colored soldiers, sailors
or marines, or their legal representatives
now residing, or who may have resided,
in any State ia which slavery existed 10
the year eighteen hundred aud sixty,