New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-03-27
The Howard Inquiry.

| Ano Nooio VI iuuuiiJ PAoSiueu over Dy
| General w. 7. Sherman, organized under
| the bounty act of 1867, has heard the testi.
mony of several important witnesses, Quar-
termaster General Meigs being the first.
He said the disbursement of public money
had become science; that the Quarter.
master General was not primarily respon-
sible, and did not give bond, but that
quartermasters proper did; civil agents are
not now employed; the officer accoun ting
to the treasury is held accountable for
losses on false vouchers.
General Shiras, acting Commissary Gen.
eral, testified the same, and gave high
character to General BallOch.
The Paymaster General said the colored
bounty fund was paid by Paymasters Hodge,
Eaton and others, to General BallOch, who
paid it to the disbursing officers.
General Foster, OF the engineers, said his
department employed civil agents, not under
bond, and the chief officer was not responsi
BILE for his suDordinates when due diligence
had been exercised.
General Benet, chief of ordnance, said
military storelleepers only were required to
give bond. The chief had no money re-
sponsibility. He commended the cha racter
of General Howard.
Adjutant General Townsend said the com
missioner on the transfer to the War De.
partment, had no real successor, as the
responsibility was distributed. No officer
had given bonds
The second controller, DR.. Broadh cad,
testified that General Balloch was the dis
bursting officer appointed and recognized by
the War Department; that the requisitio rs
bore this on their face. Every Secretary of
War since his (Ballochs) appointment ha d
signed their acquisitions placing the m on ey
in his hands, and holding him respons ib le.
The commissioner was primarily respon-
sible under the bounty law for faithful and
diligent supervision and administra tion.
He could not be held for money in ca Sc
of default without his neglect He gave a
case in point, where an officer had been
relieved of charge on proof of care and
diligence. There was but one approp ria
tion-not many-for this bureau. The Sec
retary Of tie Treasury, as required by law,
designated the heading, so that it was not
required to account by items. The state
ment of General Howard's own accounts
had been correctly settled at the treasury
Second Auditor French's testimony was
similar. The commissioners own ac counts
were correct The Secretary of War is
General Howard 5 successor.
Third Auditor Rutherford's testimony
was the same. A clerical error left G eneral
S32 "a debtor, which he paid when
he was told of it, There were no further
suspensions against him.
First Controller Taylor regulated the ac-
counts of General Balloch. Disbur sing
clerks gave bond.
Mr.. True, clerk of the Treasury Depart
ment, showed the manner of doing business
No charge appeared against General How
ard on the books.
The judge advocate here asked further
stating that he was ready to
prove certain facts.
General Towards counsel claim ed the |
evidence was not proper as conclusive |
against him, and the judge advocate ad-
nitted his right to cross-examine.
The evidence thus far seems to indicate |
hat the treasury has suffered no loss by |
he fault OF General Howard.