The Portland daily press., 1873-12-12
WASHINGTON.
General Howard and the Freed
mems Bureau.
The Deficiency Amounts to Nearly
$500. 900.


ial to the Tribune says that the Secre ary OF
War has sent letter to the House, making
direct charges of fraud and malfeasance in of
6ce against Brig. General O. o. Howard, in
connection with his management of the freed
mems bureau. This letter was accompanied
by evidence from the records and accounts of
the late bureau. The Secretary says in the let
ter that the late commissioner Gen, Howard,
has been promptly informed of the absence of
important records, and of an apparent exhibit
nations and supplying the missing records
How far he has done this will appear by the
correspondence printed in the reports. In one
item, stated at $121 900, not accounted for, it
will be seen that the accounts cannot be pro-
duced and no attempt has been made to prove
what has become of them. Accounts covering
the amount in part are alleged to have existed,
but the disbursing officer, Geo. w. Hallock, has
stated that as they were not considered of much
importance they were not kept iu cases with
the other accounts. The said accounts have
disappeared, and it seems that neither the late
commissioner ncr the late discussing officer can
account for their disappearance. This item is
known as the RETAINED bounty fund" As to
the misapplication of the public funds, the
records are in the evidence, and these irregu-
larities and violations Of the law seemingly
have had much to do with the confusion of the
records, their defective condition and almost
the entire suspension of work by the bureau.
The responsibility aud accountability attaching
to the late commissioner, SO far as now devel
oped, amounts to upwords of $278,573.
The Celored Convention.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-THE Missouri dele
cation attending the Civil Rights Convention,
headed by Representative Stanwood, the Mis-
sippi delegation, headed by Representative
Lynch, the Virginia and other delegations, call
ed in separate bodies to-day on the President
and had interviews with him. After leaving
the Presidents Office they expressed themselves
oil nyIoa auoIv h hat ho1 had co.l
Treasury Balances.
The following are the Treasury balances to-
day:~Currency, 1858, ,802; special deposit of
legal tenders for redemption of certificates of
deposit, $26 900; coin, $85, ,255 345, including
coin certificates $3l, GIL 800; outstanding legal
tenders, $372, ,056,718.
A Strange Case.
The Treasury Department is advised that the
Collector of Customs at New York received
the effects of B. s. Briggs, master of the miss
ing brig Manchester and his wife and child.
The vessel was found derelict on the high seas,
uninjured and with her effects all on board, ap-
parently undsturbed on her voyage from the
port Of New York to Geneva. The mas
ter, his wife and child, and the crew all having
mysteriously disappeared, leaving no trace.
They were never heard from though every eff
fort was made by the government to ascertain
their fate,
Mr. williams 70 be Confrmed.
Al the next executive session the Senate Com
mittee on Judiciary will make favorable re-
port on the nomination of Geo. H. Williams
for Chief Justice.
CenArmed.
The Senate to-day confirmed the following
nominations; John A. Bingham, Minister
Plenipotentiary to Japan VIM. L. Scruggs of
Georgia, Minister to Columbia.
An Unusual Attraction.
Representative Stephens of Georgia was lis
tened to with marked attention to-day while
addressing the House on the salary question.
Many members crowded near his seat Among
them were gathered Representatives who held
high military positions in in the rebel army.
The compliment of extending the time to Mon
day to which each member is limited, was
unanimously conferred upon Stephens, who
spoke leaning on his crutches and with his cap
on his head. Although feeble in body his voice,
though not as strong as it was thirteen years
ago. was remarkably clear, being distinctly
heard in ali parts of the hall,
Setting next to him was Mr.. Regan of Tex,
formerly member of the House and after
wards Postmaster General of the rebel govern
ment. While Regan was listening to Stephens
the Senate passed a bill relieving him of polit-
ical disabilities.
The SALARY.
The indications are that the House will pass
bill fixing the salary of members at about
$4,000 per year, with an allowance Of actual
travelling expenses.