New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-01-13
un, TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBrSE.l


W,snSGToN, Friday, Jan. 70, 1872.
The session Of the House, today. lasted but two hours
and was devoted the consideration OF private bills re-
ported from the Pensions, Patent, Military, aud other
Committees. The proceedings were without interest
Just before the adjournment, Mr. Farnsworh started
another investigation thG House passing on his notion
resolution authorizing the PostOnco and Post Roads
Committee 10 inquire into the contracts made by the
Post Office Department with power TO send for persons
and papers. The POs;m0stor-General, Mr. Farnsworth
said desired the investigation TO be made IL Is under
stood TO grow out Of certain charges recently made IN
Democratic newspapers Of fraud in the letting of heavy
mail contracts.
The Secretary OF War gives his version OF the Balloon
affair i'll communication sent to the House to-day IL
does not differ facts from the account given by the
Secretary of the Treasury, but contains some adcOmu
information II appears that Gen. Balloch was yolun
teer officer kept in the service long after all other vol
uneer officers had been mustered out and after 200 Off
GERS Of regular army bad been returned to civil life,
in order to reduce the military establishment.
There il nothing To show the length or
time during which he kept the large balances OF
Government funds in his hands, and drew the interest
on them, Is any light thrown upon the que on as TO
how much money he obtained for interest and what lie
did with IT, The statement that he has refunded the In
terest the Treasury not borne out by anything said
in the letters OF either Secretary Belknap or Secretary
ell. For all the public knows, it may have been
the practice Of the Freedmon Bureau officers for years
past obtain interest for their benefit on the large
sums ~ money given them 10 disbursc But the fact
which especially needs explanation is the haste Inhibited
An mastering EaOch ont of the service before he had
settled bis accounts and pending the investigation Of
the rregularity In his Of the Bureau funds
He was mustered out Nov. 90 and the suspicion Is
tainly hl-tnabe that this 10 relieve him from
anenabillty trial by cOurt-nartal. Gen. Howard ap
pears 10 have sustained Cen Balloch throughout the
affair After the Secretary had sent for Gen. Howard
R,Iln uot Grim
such an irreguarity he could not permit or jus
tify and that "hc. Howard, must relieve BallOch
ut once he would he ordered 10 do so Gen. Howard
wrote To Ba0ch, ordering him TO turn over his papers
and funds. and stating that the order made on
count Of your appointment To other public duties, and TO
give you time settle your accounts" What the exact
state the is does not appear, further than
that Gems. Howard and BaOch are understood by the
Secretary of War to be engaged n settling their
with the Treasury.
The Hon. Jesse II. Moore Chairman OF the House
Committee on Pensions called the Commissioner OF
Pensions today for the purpose OF consulting with him
In regard to some proposed changes in the Pension laws
very great pressure has been brought upon the Co-
mttee Ia extend the time within which TO nile the last
essential evidence that person IL entitled 10 pension
In order that his pension may DATE from 'hc u"c 'o
wound injury was received As the law now STANDS
arrearsges allowed 10 pensioner unless sl tho
evidence Is filed within five years aiter 'ho h'''
Originally time allotted three years NOW Mem
bers OF Congress desire to have the time EXTENDED 10
seven or nine years and some would not limit the time
at ALL The objections this first that the Pension
laws very liberal caring for every man VINO was
disabled in tho service he is dead Tor the ra'ne
mother brother sister, widow, or child VINO was Wholly
or In part dependent him for support so 'ha' 'nc
Budget will very reach the enormous sum OF
$50 year The and chief objection Is that
the pensioners themselves, who are often ignorant ne
groes rarely get the for back pensions-the law
who the In spite OF the vigilance OF
The pension officers appropriatng the whole or the
greater part OF IT, The fees for prosecuting pension
asses from 90 to e25. small that respectable
awyers will not take them under the present Limitation.
amount Of back pension, when 1t IL allowed Is from