The sun., 1873-07-23
Howard and Dalloch.

public expectation by promptly demand
ing n court of inquiry upon charges grave
ly affecting his integrity, and preferred
by responsible officials in connection
with the frauds and plunder of the
Frcedmcns Bureau, has created painful
impression and excited the worst fears.
When IL is remembered how he has been
sustained during the last three years, while
many serious accusations were made
against him, officially and personally,
respecting the management of the sacred
trusts conflded TO his keeping, this refusal
to confront the last and most formidable
is bad reqmtal for the confidence OF over
taxed and misplaced friendship.
So strong was the faith in his honor, phi
lanthropy, and purity of character, that
the investigation made by the House of
Representatives may he said TO have turn
ed upon his personal assurances against
mass OF testimony that in almost any
other case would have insured conviction.
That was three years ago. And now after
this lapse of time, other and more startling
developments have been made which can
not he whitewnshed. Specific charges of
embczzlemcnt of public money, defraud-
ing colored soldiers of their bounties and
back pay, forging vouchers, and abstract
ing valuable records, are put forth against
the Frecdmen's Bureau upon evidence
furnished by its imperfect archives and
the accounting officers OF the Treasury.
Gen. HOWARD organized that bureau ac-
cording to his own ideas. lie directed its
operations from the start, he selected his
subordinates, and he was granted privi-
/ lpups nn1 gnah a a nfhpr OfiRpr
claimed or could exercise. And besides
his pay as brigader-general, say in round
numbers sG,5OO n year, he received other
| compensation in various forms, and nota-
bly, 5000 year as President of Howard
University. Consequently he was well
paid for all his professional as well rs for
his phianthropic services. His trust in
yolved responsibility, of course, but he
knew that in seeking and assuming it, and
| an observance of the army regulations,
which were ordered 10 be applied TO the
bureau, would have insured nearly perfect
accountability, or have exposed the
frauds If any were perpetrated. Why
those rigid rules were ignored or replaced
by more convenient methods may appear
hereafter. The fact of that looseness s
suspicious when connected with the latest
disclosures.
A few days ago Gen. HowARD visited the
Office OF the Inspector-General at Wash
ington 10 inquire upon what charges he
could be tried, If n court martial should be
ordered by the Secretary of War. The in
formation was given, with the suggestion
that he had right 10 demand court of
inquiry; and us the charges had obtained
hx
military court would be calculated to re-
lieve him. Instead of responding TO this
friendly intimation, Gen. HOWARD replied
that he had declined to ask for such an
inquiry in consequence Of the unfriendly
feeling entertained toward him by many
officers of the army.
This answer is "A gross reflection upon
the honor of the service OF which Gen.
Howard himself Is an officer of nearly the
highest rank. 1t impeachcs in advance
the impartiality of his brother officers
when solemnly sworn to administer jus
tice. He could only be tried by officers
of exalted grade who enjoy the conf
drnCe and respect of the country. a
military court for military men is one of
the fIircst and best in the world for the
innocent. and one of the stcrnest for the
guilty. There are no legal quirks or tech
ucalitics to pervert right or 10 shield
wrong. 1t stands upon the imprcgnablc
basis Of honor, which ought To he sensi-
tive to the least suspicion OF imputation.
For a hriFadier-gcnerul TO declare that he
cannot expect justice at such hands is tn
assa the good name of every officer whose
rank would cntitle him TO sit in such a
"a .hrtnlx from ordeal tluf
every honorable soldier is disposed to seek
is to invite distrust.
II il were possible 10 influence the judg.
mcnt of such court at all, the relations
of Gen. HowARp toward the President aud
his Administration would probably oper
ate rs strongly in that direction as any
power which might be eXerted. lie Ia.
been peculiarly favored, protected, anc
shielded against charges that long agC
would have subjected any other officer TO q
court martial Therefore, beyond the in
justice of this reproach upon the army
itself deserving IA court martial-its wan
Of truth is too clear TO admit OF the lca-t
consideration. Instead of helping hii
q cause by cvading court Of his peers, Gen
I HOWARD has sacrificed an opportunity tC
clear himself from worse than suspicion
4 and forfeited the regard of many who
, generously clunS to him in spite of all IN,
l painful revelations of vcnalty.
$ Connected with him in these transaction
! was certain Gen. GEonGE w. BALLoCII
t who was the disbuIsng officer of the Freed
Y mems Bureau until summary elected
l from that trust under circumstances tina
a stained his name with dark discredit. II,
is the special friend, neighbor and conf
o dant of Gen. HOWARD. They both bull
a and now occupy costly mansions adjon
= ing each other, on land obtained from tn,
I property of Howard University. BAL
I LocHs management of the Freedmen
o funds became known at last, and wheI
4 his accounts were OveThauled two year
> ago II was found that large sums had beer
drawn from the Treasury on account o
the bOunties and pay due to coloreC
troops, which instead of being pai,
! over to them were invested in coupon
: bonds under various false preteXts Il
e The interest was divided among tn
l. Frap1mpuic Rinu md aVnrv thin0 tvn