The sun., 1873-07-12


verified all the suspicious which had long
accumulated against il, and is found to be
ina worse condition than even its strong
est accusers charged. When Congress, on
the 10th Of June, 1872, ordered il TO be dis
continued and the business transferred TO
the charge of the Adiutaut-G eneral of the
army, the explosion which has now caused
30 much excitement was fully foreseen.
II was only necessary to cut of the prodi-
gal supplies voted by Congress under va
rious pretexts, and TO apply any fair rule
of investigation into the affairs of the
bureau, in order to make a collapse GER
tain, and TO establish the grosscst msman-
agoment.
This interior condition OF rottenncss was
well known Mt the Treasury and War De-
partmcnts. but rs the bureau was chiefly
used TO organize and consolidate the ne
gro vote, il was allowed license of i'm
punity that was proftably employed by
all connected with n plunderiug ring who
assumed to run the political machine in
the interests OF the Administration. And
Congress, in the same partisan spirit, lent
its sanction to this iniquity, for when
specific charges of malversation, cheating,
and other outrages were preferred three
years ago, II committee of the House of
Representatives was prompt to whitewnsh
all the inculpated parties, aud especially
TO certify Gen. llowARD MS without spot
or blcmish.
From the manner I'm which the most m-
portant books. papers. vouchers and
archives were transferred 10 the War De-
partmcut, il was evident T. every obsarc-
ing eye that deliberate scheme had been
formed to conceal the truth that has
since come to light, by the utmost disor-
der, confusion. and even destruction when
possible. a record book of great value
containing IN account of the retained fees,
kept personally by Gen. &. W. BALLocI.
"late chief Di~bursing Omccr Bureau
Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned
Lands" cannot be found either by him or
Gen. Howard, To whom BALLoCu clai ..,s
to have delivered il in his ofi., da.l, q"
No inventory of these papers was made.
and so it ! nnpracticable 10 verify any de-
livery.
No great business capacity was required
10 guard against accidents in making the
lance and common integrity. Gen. How
ARD was in Washington and personally
concerned in this matter. He owed il first
to the public service, Hnd next TO his own
character, which hal been seriously inn
pugned, 10 have seen this change per-
fected in such way n o disarm suspicion
instead of inviting it, as was done. His
official and individual responsibility can
not be laid at the door of subordnates, or
shelter sought behind imputations on their
honesty II there was nothing else to cx-
cite distrust about tnis bureau, the way in
which it was closed up would destroy con-
hdencc.
IL is no answer to the charges which are
now made TO say that the accounts OF Gen.
HOWARD and others have been balanced at
the Treasury. That is quite consistent with
system of dishonesty and plunder Large
sums of money were drawn upon voucher,
which Offset them for the bounty claim,
OF colored soldiers, but they were retained
or stolen from the pavtic' t. whom the
money belonged In fact, the culored
patriot was pluudercd of his right, and hi.
property 10y the cantiug knavcs who wcr,
using a pretended zeal in his behalf to
feather their own nests. His ignorance
the difficulty OF identification, and tn,
moral reputation Of the bureau, we're all
used n the instruments of swmdlug tn,
"ward of the nation by his own chosen
and accepted guardians.
The opinion of the Attornoy-G &c raj or
the points submitted by the Secretary OF
War contains some of the severcst strr
ering the source from which il cmauates
and the known desire to deal partially
with the late Commissioner particularly
He says;
THE papers which you enclose to me show
that considerable sums Of money have Ucef
taken from the Treasury 10y officers employed il
the bureau IN means Of tUrg,d r,C,ip dHd rouoh
us fOr bouHtt@ duc cplprtd SOlticrs, dHi hD moIU
81 Tcc9lE ,dHd toUchtrs jrdudmeHuy procure
from Uhm.'
II the bureau had been organized will
reference to system of frauds, such as haV,
been partially developed, the plans coul,
not have been better devised TO escap,
eventual responsibility. The act q
March 3, 1865, creating the bureau, re-
quircd the Commissioner to give bon,
in $50,0O0 and his chief clerk in 10000 TO
the discharge OF their respective dutie,
No such bonds were ever given, nud Gen
IlowAIn attempts to excuse thi, non-com
pliance with II mandatory law by yin,
that Mr.. Secretary STANTON did not thinl
the obligation applied to officers of TIA,
army detailed for duty under that act
Mr., STANTON is dead, and cannot defcnt
himself. But everybody knows that h,
was an eminent lawyer, II rigid discipline
rlan, and unyicldng about the mlnlmcn
OF public trusts. lie was not the man to
neglect any protection to the people
money, or 10 refuse security which In,
law required. II Is a gross wrong to hi,
memory 10 use his name for such a pur.
pose, aud worst than a sign Of weakness I,
appeal TO the sicIr grave for testimony tc
justify culpable omission.
In 1867 Congress authorized the Commits
tioher OF this bureau to pay the claims oi
the colored soldiers, and specified thai
ne shall be responsible for the safe Gus
sody aud faithful disbursement Of tn,