Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-04-07

tunity to be present.
HOUSE.
MIR. Tanner offered a Joint resolution
providing for the portrait of Gen. Thomas
| to be placed in the Capitol. Referred to
Committee on Library. o.-
Mr. Dawes introduced bill making real
estate and personal property, except Unit
ed States bonds and shareholders shares of
national banks, subject to State taxation.
Referred to Committee on Banks.
On motion of Mr.. Stevens, the Secretary
of War was asked for information as to the
condition of the work on the Louisville
and Portland Canal.
Mr.. McCreary, from Committee on Elec-
tons, reported bill removing disabilities
from F. Z. Shaber, congressman elect from
he sixth district, North Carolina, and per
uniting him to be sworn, which passed.
Howard the PhiIanthropist.
Mr. Wood, rising to personal explana-
ton, had read letter from Gen. Howard,
complaining of the remark of his, that the
General had grown rich from the Freed
mems Bureau, and challenging investiga-
ton. He charged that Howard had been
guilty. of direliction of duty in the follow
ing points: He had taken from appropria-
tons made for, and the receipts of the
Bureau, more than 100000 improperly
and without authority of law, for the How
ard University Hospital; thata portion of the
land alleged to have been sold for the
benefit of the Howard University, was dis
posed of improperly to members of his own
family and officers of his staff; that he draws
three salaries, viz One as Brigadier Cen
eral in the United States army; as Commits
sioner of the Freedmen Bureau, and as
head of Howard University; that he has
paid from the funds of the Bureau over
$50, coo, for the construction of the First
Presbyterian Church in this city, taking
Church bonds in return, which he has eth
er returned in accounts as cash on hand or
sent South for purposes of the Bureau. He
has advanced large sum from the fluids of
of the Bureau to the Young Mems Chris
tian Association of this city, taking their
bonds in payment, which have been sent to
Tennessee to help the freedmen schools in
that State, that he caused or knowingly
allowed lands in this city, owned by an Of
fcer of the Bureau, to be transferred to
freed schools in North Carolina, the of
fcer taking the money appropriated tor
the school, thus perpetrating
| fraud, both upon the government and
| freedmen; that he was interested in the
purchase of farm of about 800 acres
near the Lunatic Asylum in this county,
| for which the public funds and other prop
| erty of the Government were used. Build
ings were erected thereon, built of lumber
| belonging to the Government, and thenlet
or sold to freedmen at exorbitant prices;
and that he and his brother Chas. Howard
we're personally interested in this transac-
ton as private, pecuniary speculation. He
| has discharged the duties of the Office of
| Commissioner of the Bureau with extrsva-
gance and negligence, and to the interest
| of himself, family and friends. He is in
favor of the ring known as the Freedmen's
| Bureau Ring, with connection with the
| Freedmen Savings Bank and the freedmen
schools of the South, and the political ma
chinery of a party in the Southern
States, whose practice has been
| to devote the official authority
and power of the bureau to perso-
nal and political profit. In con-
| clusion, Mr.. Wood offered resolution in
| structing the Committee on Freedmen's
| Affairs to examine and report whether Gen.
| Howard has managed the funds entrusted
| to him as Commissioner with integrity, and
whether all money appropriated and re-
| ceived has not been devoted to other pur-
poses than those directed by law, with au-
thority to send for papers add persons.
Maynard Springs TO the Defense.
Mr.. Maynard raised question of order,
whether the unanimous consent to make a
personal explanation extended to permits
sion to offer resolutions.
The Speaker replied that it did not.
4 X: 4ol ., ha ror,1r,ti av
being offered.
| Mr.. Wood said he selected for the inves-
ti,ation a committee composed entirely of
Republicans, and he doubted whether
the gentleman from Tennessee would take
the personal or political responsibility OF
keeping out the resolution.
Mr.. Maynard said he would take the re-
sponsibility to do what he considered his
ddty.
MIR Wood have made my statement
and offered my resolution, and majority
OF the House may take the responsibility
and the consequence.
Speaker-The resolution is not before
the House.
Mr.. Dawes remarked that after the state
ment made by the gentleman from New
York, he thought the matter should be re
ferred to a committee for investigation, anC
moved resolution for that purpose.
Mr.. Peters hoped that there would be NJ
objection to that As representative of thu
State that was proud of the name o
Gen. Howard, he hoped those charges II
which there was no truth whatever, woulC
he fully investigated.
Mr.. Dawes said that he was animated
: by the same motive expressed b,
the gentleman from Maine. ii
had the fullest confidence in tn
integrity of Gen. Howard and thought
due him and the country that such state
Inents made by member OF the Hous
should be fully Investigated The gentle
man would, in pressing charges agalns
| Gen. Howard, make himself responsible
, | for them. He trusted the investigation
, | would be made, and if Gen. Howard
e | guilty he would deal properly with hin
but if the gentleman from New York ha
, | allowed himself to be made vehicle TO
unfounded, malicious and treacherou
, | SANDER, the House would deal with him.
Mr.. Wood said he was willing to take tn
personal responsibility of any charge b
made. and hoped when the House had con
l pleted the investigation OF Gen. Howard
! it would turn its attention to the gentle
1 man from Massachusetts,, MIR. Butler, an
3 investigate him also.
: After further discussion by Messr
S sSchenck, Shank, Dawes, Cox, Peters an
e Hale, the resolution by Mr.. Dawes wi
: adopted.
The House refused to take up the bus
y ness on the Speakers table by a vote of
: to 81, and after the statement by M
Banks, that he desired, as soon as possibl
/ H. ,.ocoIntiaV, hn Hon
q went into committee on
Tariff.
, Amendments were offered advanciI
> and reducing the tax on cordials, but the
we're rejected, and the tariff thereon r
- mains at So per gallon, as reported in Il
u bill. The clauses in reference to Bay Ru
ID and colcring for Brandy were passed ov
without amendment. The clause on mi
eral or medicinal water was amended
, the addition of proviso that such waite
OIL product OF springs within five miles of {
n United States boundary, be imported Fl
Oh of duty.
or The next clause was then brought u
IS that of taxing cigars, cigarettes and CT
IL roots s. per pound and % per cent.
e. yelorem. After some discussion
id amendment was offered by Mr.. Washburr
n of Massachusett, making the duty 81.
a per pound, which was agreed to, 81 to !
vo Pending an amendment offered by d
IU Strong, to make the duty So per pou
~ and so per cent. ad valorem the commit
~ arose and the House adjourned.
nc The German papers arc discussing
re- project of substituting underground tc
'a' graph wires for overhead wires.
I'D, | S.-;-nc nhnun mound are subject 10 all so