National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-02
GEN. O. o. HO WARD.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE COURT OF IN
CURRY YESTERDAY.
Before this court yesterday Mr.. Harmon and
Col. Beman were allowed to correct their testi-
mony. The latter then gave additional state
ments that but one case had occurred that he re-
membered in which he had Entrusted the money
for q claimant to anybody except Government
agent, aud that was to the cashier Of q bank at
Shreveport, La, upon the request Of the claimant
himself. He knew he was paid, for he sent
checA to his order to the cashier. Gen. Howard
had directed him by letter to inquire Of Mr..
Morgan, the district attorney, concerning the Sc
curities aud the suit againt them in the Mande-
VILE case. He had reported that the sureties
were undoubtedly good, but the case was stir
pending in the courts. He made the inquiry at
different times with the same answer. Gen.
Sewall had been sent by the Commissioner to
New Orleans to investigate all matters. He be-
lieved he recommended witness appointment to
pay bounties.
Mr.. Simms, chief clerk Second Auditors ONCE,
identified . large number Of vouchers which Gen.
Balloeh had rendered. Gen. Towards approval
was on the abstracts. One abstract, for example,
had 2o92 vouchers with IL. Witness then was
questioned as TO the amount charged on the book
at the Second Auditors Once against Gen. How
ard No such charges were made until the &C
counts were all rendered by Gen. Balloch, Gen.
Howard himself, and Major Brown, then about
January. 1873. Witness was ordered to state the
account In the name Of Gen. Howard. The state
ment In the letter containing the Secretary's
charges for all the officers disbursing bounty,
for which Gen. Howard, IL was finally decided,
was responsible. Witness did not think II posi-
BILE for Gen. Howard to know that he was so held
TIL this statement OF differences was rendered.
Some credits have been placed to Gen. Towards
account, which win reduce the balance apparently
against him, which may be now three or four
thousand dollars, should final statement now be
made. ~ rr ....r
The Judge Advocate here introduced q motion
that the Secretary Of War be requested to consti-
tuts commissions in different departments,
through department commanders, to take afa-
davits of complaining claimants, submitting to
them certain questions by the court and General
Howard in writing; the proceedings Of the CON-
mission to be forwarded to this court as evidence
Of the act Of non-payment in Ia cases now before
this court. This was supported by an able argu-
ment Of the Judge Advocate, quoting opinions
rendered by Treasury accounting officers, show
ing the necessity Of some such action, and arguing
that this military court, under the law constitut
ing It, would be obliged to determine whether
these claimants had been defrauded or not.
General Howard tby counsel) said that the afa-
dsyits Of claimants making complaint in their
own interest would not be sufficient evidence.
The Judge Advocate agreed to alter his motion,
charging the power OF the commission to en-
brace all necessary testimony.
The request was pending to put the entire mo-
tion in writing by itself for the inspection Of Gen.
Howard, when the court adjourned till II q. m.
today.