The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-08-19


wear Complaints of this kind were MADE at
the barracks of this city some time ago, but
no attempt was made to remedy them, ana
neither were the approximations OF the COIL
manding officer concerning the quality oil
the clothing needed but, on the contrary, |
he was assured, in the face OF every evidence
to the contrary, that the clothes were lully
up to the standard. For long time IL was
a puzzle to account for the peculiar course.of
the ouartermaster, Mai. w. Il. Slack, In tnls
matter AS a conscientious officer, the men
naturally thought it should have given nm
pleasure TO guard their interests against the
contractors. 1t never seemed TO suggest
itself that he might be proftinS as mucn at
their expense as the contractor. Inc loiio"-
ing will explain how
FRAUDS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF UNIFoRr
can be and are perpetrstsd. Mr.. Cb IS
Barnum, after the close OF the hsc- year
ending June 80, 1873, submitted his cutting
statement to Major Slack, in which he says
SO many yards of kersey cloth, flannels,
linens, etc, were cut, or MADE so many gar
ments; but, by making calculation which
involves nothing further than multiplied
ton of the number of garments received
and paid for by the number OF yards
required for each garment, this cutting
statement has been found incorrect In one
particular. In one of these statements there
is not a mention OF scarlet cloth, yet Mr..
Bsrnum is paid for making thirty two music
uniform coats, made from material OF this
character, and his statement leaves twelve
and half yards of cloth worth S444 % 10 be
accounted for, as 1t was undoubtedly issued
and made up. The above charges, which
show that the sum OF S26, 743 20 was expend-
ed for clothing not received by the quarter
masters department of the marine corps,
together with the deficiency in the return OF
moneys received for the sale OF public
properties, amounting to S4,742 81, were
regularly brought to the knowledgesof the
proper authorities by the clerk above re-
ferred TO. If Maj. Slack has the ability to
redeem his word and pay into the treasury
the sum of SSl, 4s5, "A, for which he is ac-
countable, according to his own admission,
he is amenable to the law for his procrastl-
nation in these special instances, and for
such other as thorough investigation OF
everything connected with his Cfice Will
show. It is we'll known to some persons
although the charge has not yet been
made, that Mai. Slack has permitted
certain Officers of the corps, who oc
cupied government quarters. and were
therefore not entitled TO quarters or fuel
outside, the privilege OF drawing commuts-
tion for the same in cash. We have no
positive knowledge of tine mum Der OF OIL
GERS thus favored, but know that the prac'
tice has in some cases extended over sew
eral years. AS the government allows OIL
GERS, not furnished with quarters, in some
instances the rent of four rooms a. SIS per
month for each, it will be easily seen that
this system OF population can be made To
cost the United States nice little penny, II
carried on to any extent.
TIE AMOUNT OF THE CLOTH
charged is computed from true copy of the
off cial tabular statement showing the num-
Der of yards OF material actually required
for each garment, and is based on the fact
that certain quantity of the material was
issued to the cutters, and only SO much a.
counted for as was turne into the narter-
masters department in the shape of cloth
ing made up, showing deficit amounting to
"a 2O6 20, which Major Slack admits. Here
is a case of absolute stealing, without even
the cover of sharpness In other words,
charge has been allowed aud the contractors
have been paid for making large amount
of stuff that they never touched. The fig
ures are as follows:
For the making of 20 uniform coats
~. at IS ic:r =, is;i ~ s7 e
66J linen trousers at 4119 centS...-...-,. SIS %
40 flannel shirts at 30 2g5 20
221 pairs of drawers at q CENTS. % 81
S74 watch coats at & 1855 81
..... 900 81
These two amounts, making a grand total
ofS7,205 81, were PAID TOR clothing unac-
counted for in the fiscal year ending June 80,
1873. AS we have the figures for this year
only, we cannot state exactly how much has
been plundered siDcs 1861, bat IL would be a
modest estimate to place it at as low a figure
per aDnum as for 1878, which would make
the modest sum OF S1OO, 600.
THE BEAUTIFUL WAY
of gathering in riches which was resorted to
by the major and his right hand man, Sam
uel H. Marks, sen., chief clerk of the quar-
termsster's department, will require a little
explanation to make il Ineligible TO p5r-
sons unfamiliar with military business. a
fixed amount OF clothing is allowed to each
soldier; but if ne finds IL necessary to draw
more than that, he is permitted to do so on
condition that The price of what he draws be
deducted from his salary. AT the expira-
ton of the quarter, the money obtained Tor
extra clothing is forwarded with an extra
roll TO the Quartdrmaster at Washington,
when the law distinctly recites that
moneys received from the sale of gov
eminent property shall be paid by the
officer or agent receiving it INFO the treas
ury at as early day as possible. During
the years 1870. 1871, 1872. 1878 and 1874. Maj.
Slack officially acknowledged to officers
and non commissioned officers, the receipts
of checks, drafts, posroffice orders, the
proceeds OF sale OF public property made as
mentioned above, amounting to S6,75S 53,
aud during that period to the 3lst of March,
1915, he accounted to the governments for
only S2,0l5 80, leaving a balance of 81, AZ 81
up2ccounted for. To show clearly that the
law was violated, and that fraud was
plainly intended, it is only necessary TO
state that, of the total amount reserved, the
sum OF So 20 o. was in one draft. and &C.
knowledged by the quartermaster on the 1st
OF October. 1870.
ANOTHER LITTLE IRREGULARITY
consists in the fact that the quartermaster
has for long time, with full knowledge of
the circumstances of the case, paid certain
bills made out in the name of Geo. A Jones
who, be knows,is merely clerk in the hard
ware store OF s. o. Marks, the chief clerk of
the quartermaster's department. The chief
CLERK certifies Co his own bills. as can be
seen by referring to those on file in the
tourth auditors office, and vouches for their
correctness and certifies that the prices
charoad ara the lnWest market rates. This of