Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-08-16
THE ALLEGED MARINE CORPS FRAUDS
a Tree Statement Of the Case.
TraS1cal Occurrences I'm Connection
Herewith.

The Chronicle prints this morning several
columns relating to alleged irregularities in
the conGnct of the business OF The United
States marine corps. TIE tenor of the pub
lication seems to indicate that Major Slack,
the quartermaster of the corps, stationed in
this city, was responsible for all the short
comings set forth in the publication.
From facts derived from the Second Con-
troller and Fourth Auditor of the Treasury
the following statement fully explains the
irregularities charged. and to whom the
blame should attach. First of all, in order
TO explain
THE CLOTHING TRANSACTIONS,
II is necessary To set forth the mode in which
articles for the marine corps are purchased
When clothing is required an estimate of the
amount is first received from the several
company commanders. With this as a basis
an estimate is made, and the material neces-
sary to make the several garments, for which
acquisitions have been previously made, is
purchased by the quartermaster, Major
ack. After the materials are purchased
the firm OF {. G. Barnum & Bro, of New
York. are given the same To make up into
clothing.
HOW PAYMENTS ARE MADE.
The bills of Barnum & Bro. for this service
are paid by Major Slack. But before ne
makes any payments, the following course
is necessary to be pursued by the firm -
First, the clothing is Inspected. to ascertain
mat the garments charged have actually
been made. This duty has heretofore de-
volved on Captain Maddox, stationed in
Philadelphia. After he makes the inspecjio
and gives certificate of the same to the
hIm, they in turn present the bill to Capt.
Maddox, accompanied by his inspection GER
tlilcate. Then Capt. Maddox approves the
olll leaving the amount 10 be paid i'm blank.
The papers are then forwarded TO Gen. Zelir,
com.nandant Of the corps, who also approves
the oils, and sends them TO Major Slack.
who computes the cost az the contract price
blank ma fh.
necessary payments.
BARNUM IL BROS. LIETLE GAME.
BY some means Barnum * Brother ascer-
tanned that the amounts Of the bills which
they made ont in blank were not filled I'D by
Capt Maddox, the inspecting officer in Phil
ade!phla. Some time ago they resolved on
bold move. They made a bill out which
would cover twenty-three thousand dollars,
for clothing which they had not manufac-
tured: ii was sent TO Capt. Maddox at Phil
adelphia, who approved il. /; is said that
his approval was secured through the coIlu-
sion of one OF his clerks. AT all events he
gave certificate of inspection covering
enough garments to meet the aggregate OF
The list, also approved il, and sent IL on To
Washington TO Gen. Zeilin, who likewise
approved it, and Major Slack paid the Dill.
SLACK NOT RESPONSIBLE.
By some means, in course of time, the bill
was ascertained TO be fraudulent The Of
fcers of the Fourth Authors Office sent for
[.
as the only evidence of the manufacture OF
the clothing was the inspection report of
Capt. Maddox and the double approval OF
tnat officer and Gen Zelin MADDOX was
then notified of the fraudulent transaction,
and admitted that he was deceived by the
cOllusiOn of one of his clerks with the cloth
ing firm.
SUIT TO RECOVER THE MONEY.
After investigation of the whole subject,
Fourth Auditor Tabor became convinced
hot rDnif
the public Will hardly be able to see IL in the
case of the INSPECTOR should be held account
able; that the proper persons to bring suit
against were the members of the clothing
1rIl. Accordingly he advised with the So
lIcitor of the Treasury department Mr. Will
,Un, and a lew weeks ago he commenced pre-
i!mina.y legal procee iings to recover the
money.
MYSTERIOUS DIsAPPEARANCE OF ONE MEM
BEK OF THE FIRM AND DEATH OF
ANOTHER.
By some means C. G. Barnum, the senior
Of the firm, obtained Information that the
government intended TO prosecute. This,
100, almost simultaneously with the actual
legal proceedings by the government. He
left home one morning last month with the
Intention of going TO Boston. He took the
Fall River boat procured siateroOn, and
went into IL. He was never afterwards seen.
although upon the arrival of the boat at Fall
River his clothing was found hanging up in
the room. with his watch and other valua-
bles in the pockets. The government tnen
took means 10 apprehend the brother, but
stran &c 70 say he was found dead III his bed
two days afterwards.
THE BONDsMEN SUED.
The Solicitor has, however, notifiei the
bondsmen OF the finn that he will transfer
the suit as against them, one of the princi-
pals being actually and the other presuma-
bly, dead.
The money which Major Slack is charged
with lot accounting for is now and has been
on deposit III a esignated depository OF the
United States, fact known to the Second
Comptroller and the Fourth Auditor Of the
Treasury.
THE TINE allowed persons claiming TO be
owners of lands on the northwest frontier
uuder Joint OCCUPANCY TO present their cl aims