New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-10-04

REFORM WHERE 1T IS SADLY NEEDED.
ACTISG-sEcRETARY CowEN CoLDLY AFFECTED To-
WARD PRoTEGE OF HIS LATE CHIEF-AE Or
DER STOPPING THE PAYMENT OF EXTRA SALARY
TO Mr.. BALDWIN.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRTBUEEl
WASHINGTON, Oct. notwithstanding COwen.
ad interim in charge of the Interior Department,
to have little respect for the especial friends
of his late chief he new Secret Service Bureau Of
the Pension Office has already come to grief. When
Dir. Baldwin was appointed by Mr.. Delano, Chief of
Special Agents, he at organized a new division,
and had number Of favorite clerks, all Of whom
were supposed to he devoted to the fortunes Of Sec
rotary Delsno, appointed detailed TO assist him.
1t has been customary in the Department, when
clerk has been sent ont to investigate a case Of
fraud in the payment of PENSIONS TO allow him, in
addition 10 his salary and travelling expenses, from
50 to 81 day. TO pay for his board, etc. But this
was never paid to them when they were on duty in
the Department here.
The services of Baldwin and his detectives in pre-
pairing special dispatches for such newspaper CORE
spondents as would send them, and in inventing
scandaous stories about Prof. Marsh and Others who
had exposed the rascality of leading officials Of tho
Department were, however, great that no ordi-
nary lawful salary was sufficient and so, at Bald
wins suggestion and with Mr.. Deanos approval an
order issued by the Commissioner of Pensions
for the payment to some Of 3 day and 10 Others of
81 day all of the time whether they duty
here or elsewhere. In Baldwins own ease the per
diem was 81, and, with his regular salary of 81 5000
year, made his pay $500. This matter was
brought to the attention of Gen. Cowen yesterday,
and be Immediately issued the following order
WASHINGTON, oct. 2, 1879
SIR Section 4741 OF the Revised Statutes authorizes
the detail by the Commissioners OF Pensions OF clerks In
his office for the investigation OF attempted fraud on the
Government, in connection with the provisions OF the
pension laws and the clerks to he allowed such additional
Hereafter clerks OF your Office detailed for the kind OF
duty above referred To Will not be allowed this additional
compensation provided for by said section except during
the time actually and necessarily emplOyedby them In the
proper discharge OF such duty and no such additional
compensation will he allowed to auy such clerk
employed at the seat of Government for any service
the investigation or examination OF such attempted
frauds. B. +. CowES
THE DELANO STABLES To BE CLOSED.
The Interior Department stables, where the Gov
eminent horses were kept under the Deano admin
istraton at cost of about $50 head per month,
have been ordered to be closed mp by Mr. Cowen,
and the horses will at once be trans
ferred to less expensive quarters where their board
will cost not more than $50 head per month.
Once before during Mr.. Delano's absence Gen. Cowen
attempted to abolish this expensive stable, but the
Secretary returned in time to prevent il.
SOME TROUBLESOME VELVET CARPETS
On Friday last, when Gen. Cowen entered the
Department, he found upon the floor of his room
and that of the Secretary velvet carpets costing
about 5000 which the Superintendent of the Depart
ment Building had purchased without consulting the
Assistant Secretary, although the old very
little wOn and had been in only short
time. Secretary Cowen Immediately sent
for the Superintendent and called him 10
account for such eXtrayagant expenditure.
II is more than likely that the Office Of Superintend
ent will be abolished and the dutics turned 10
the discussing officer of the Department.