New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-08

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SENT TO THE HOUSE BY
SECRETARY BEIKNAP - THE RESULTS OF AN IN
vEsTIGAuoN BY THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL-N NO
DEFICITS SHOWN IN THE IMMEDIATE ACCOUNTS
OF GEN. HowARD-TIs RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
DEFICITS IN THE ACCOUNTS OF sUBORDINATEs.
loEEERAL PRESS DIsPATCH.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE Secretary of War
has addressed letter the Speaker Of the House in
connection with his communication Of December last.
relative the developments concerning the late Bureau
of Refugees Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands He gives
-.ss.
On Dec. 10 the Adjutant- General OF the Army com.
peted an investigation based official reports
nished for the Secretarys information, the sigma
res of the Treasurer and Second Controller and Third
Auditor the Treasury. The report OF the investiga
ton involves, through Gen. Balloch late dsbursiDg
officer OF the Bureau, the responsibility and accounta
blity OF the late Commissioner, Gen. Howard, and
shows that the funds OF the United States, duly oert
fed as deposited with the Treasury, and in their de-
positories were not so deposited. The deficits or
amounts overstated By Gen. BallOch, the dsbursing
officer for the United States Treasury at Washington, as
indicated letter for the last days OF the respective
months Of 1867, 1868, 1862 1870 and 1871 ranged from
slGOo s55000 The deposits OF amounts as stated by
the disbursng officer, outside OF Washington, at
New York Boston. Charleston, Louisville, st. Louis,
Nashville Memphis, and Mobile, and ranged from
eral hundred dollars 70 $4,000, and for various
amounts from March, 1861 to August 1871 1t is proper
10 state that the examination under which the going
facts were developed has failed TO show deficits in the
immediate accounts of Gen. Howard and Major j. NJ.
Brown the other dsbursing officer.
On Dec q the Secretary of War addressed note to
Gen. Howard. requesting him to arrange with Gen.
Baloch In order have interview with him at the
War Department Oh the 22d Of that month. To an
inquiry by the Secretary, asking whether Gen. Balloch
recalled investigation by Inspector General Schrver
as 20 the s2s00 bond matter. Gen. BallOch replied In
the affirmative. Daring the inquiry about these bonds
and certain funds covered by Gen Balloch's accounts
for June July and August, 1871, which not found
on dc post the United States Treasurer he asked
whether his accounts at any time or tunes, repre-
sented funds az deposited in the Treasury when
they were not deposited. Gen. Balloch said he did
not know and 1t further appears that he could not
balance the differences After Gen. Baloch retired,
Gen Howard reappeared before the Secretary and said
be had inst conversed with Gen Balloch about the
above transaction, and Gen. BallOch said the
difference the reports of sums deposited must have
beer caused by the certificates Hodges hands not
beng paid Throughout the conversation Gen. Howard
said LIE knew nothing about the matter himself.
On Dec Is, Gen. Baoch addressed the Secretary Of
war letter. saying that with the aid Of his retained
rapers he was confident that at the proper time and
before the proper tribunal he could explain any dis
crepsnces that may appear to exist In Treasury bal
anees with the Disturbing officers Of the Freedman's
Bureau The Secretary Of War; on Dec. "a. In letter to
Gen Howard referring to Gen. Balochs letter 70 him,
informed Gen. Howard that the accounting oficers Of
the Treasury proper officers TO be consulted In
order TO make explanation. Under the laws partic
ulariy the act Of March 20, 1857. 1t Gen.
Howard's duty 70 exert himself 10 the ut
most ID regard 10 this most important
! subject now under consideration, and accordingly
the Secretary directed Gen. Howard 10 place himself
with the Treasurer and accounting on
GERS through them, and in connection with the
ained OF the late disbursing officer Gen.
Balloch explanations, II any, might be submitted to
tie Secretary ct the earliest practicable date not later
Secretary by that he had visited the Bee
oud Auditor OF the Treasury and before him. nearly
he could from memory, all matters Touching the
discrepancies which appeared In the tabular statements
shown TO him by the Secretary himself The Auditor
said he had settled the accounts and transmitted them
10 the Second Controller. where Gen. Howard must 10
with any statements explanations, thus involving two
weeks delay. The Secretary OF War, in reply, said II
hardy seemed necessary for him inform Gen. Howard
'na' Inc accounting officers OF the Government had not
hoed him 1.-THE Secretary Of correctness settle
nent OF Gen. Balioch's accounts and the Secretary
REMINDS Gen Howard that bis nations TO the
accounting officers ought 70 have been In writing in
order to have formal investigation Of the matter.
The ScoIotayof War nsurninng up the case say the
d'serepabcios or debeenoes entirely too largo 10
ADMIT VI expianatioD through transfer drafts. the