, 1874-01-06

49,
charges preferred by tho Secretary Of War, has
alreadybeen under the consideration OF Congress.
In 1870, A1r. Fernando Wood submitted to the
House OF Representatives fifteen specific
charges against Gan. Howard, which we're re-
fer1ed to Committee consisting Of eight 1se-
publicans and two Democrats. Three OF the
Republican members Of the Committee had pre-
yioualY been agents OF the Free1meua
Bureau. Al that time, and under such
circumstances, it was not surprising that
Gen. Howard should have been exonerased
by tho majority report Of the Committee, Which
WIS 70 sweeping and fulsoms in its acquitta!
that it Was expected to silence all the suspicious
which Lad leon raised against him, and 70
straugle all other effort as investigation. The
minority report, however, presented his caso
more minulely, and, IN spite OF the technical
eyas;oms of which Gen. Howard ayailed him
self, made out case Which was much more
analytic than the general whitewasnins OF the
majority REPORT
Gen. Howard was appointed Commissioner OF
49,
creation. Tho Bureau Of Refugees, Froedmen,
and Abandoned Lands was established under tho
supervision OF The War Department, to last dur
ing the War and one year after, and it Was to
have control Of all subjects relnting to refugees
and freedmen from the Rebel States, aud tho
management Of abandoned lands in the came
territory. Subsequent acts OF Congress en-
lareed the jurisdiction Of this Bureau, md
placed largo sums OF 1nouey at tho dis
posal Of the Commissioner for settling up
claims aud paying expenses connected with rel
uuees and freedmen that were not otherwise
provided for. In 1866 and 1867, the large sum
OF s10,75O, $50 was appropriated for these pur-
posos, in addition to she lands aud other prop
erty acquired from confscatcd and abandoned
estates ut tho South, which have been estimated
to be equal to the amount Of the appropriations.
The charges made By Nj. Wood wore, in sub
stance, tint Gen Howard mad used S500,000 oE
public money 10 buy the loud and erect tie
buildings for the Howard University with
out authority ct Law; that part Of this
land was disposed OF improperly to MEN,
bers OF his own family and staff !;
TINT bonds Of the First congregational
Church we're taken in payment for eono por-
tions Of the land, which we're accounted for as
cash that Howard WAS interested in the sale of
poor building material used in tho erection OF
the University; that be had also given his con-
eont that Government lumber should be used :;
that he had advanced money on bonds OF the
Young Mems Christian Association which we1e
reckoned as cash in his accounts; that he and
his brother had personal interest in q farm
bought with public money and sold to freedmen
at exorbitant prices; and, generally, fhat no
had turned tue management Of the Freedmen 3
Bureau to his our personal and political profit.
These charges we're referred, and, after LTestiga-
ton, the majority Of tho Committee pronounced
them I" utterly groundless and causeless." The
minority, before entering specifically upon c1-
animation OF the evidence, reported That they
had been denied the privilege Of subpnpaing
Witnesses whom they knew to bo in possession OF
material facts, and that. although Gen. Howard 8
private bauk-books we're in the Committee-room,
he protested against examination OF them, and
the majority Of the Committee sustained him in
this position. These circumstances make it evi-
dent that there WIS disposition to screen Gen.
Howard from thorough examination into his
administration of tue Bureau. since one OF tho
main clarces vas that he had secured loans
from the baus On the doposit Of Government
securitiea. It would be tedious and useless to
follow the minority report further. after noting
lin oha,acles thrown in the yay of obtaining
material evidence. Here is one cxtract from it,
howaver which 1s of interest:
-. co,-., r, t,s e1.no,n,t,n,, II cam, mt That h,
was in the incumbcncy Of the following named posi-
lions' VIZ: Ma]o'-e'enefa. onl'eo s'ates army !;
.s.a, Ia,a pros;,,s,t - E1oxa-,1 11n,ra,,tt1
Director Of Building Block Company; Treasurer and
Tr'istee Of Barry Farm Fund President Of Young
1ens 1'1,,sn 49,, sna w.
Of Freedmens s.vipgs pauk.
It will be eoeu that the CHARGES which led to