Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-06-21
ate chief disbursing officer of the bureau in which

late chief disbursing officer of the bureau in which
fraudulent vouchers and other false evidence OF
payment have been filed and used by these officers
by which they obtained improper credits for mon
cys alleged to have been paid out BY them to such
colored soldiers and marines.
To remedy this evil the committee reports bill
directing the proper accounting officer OF the treas
ury to settle claims for pay of bounty prize money
other moneys due to colored soldiers sailors or
marines or their legal Representatives. In case it
shall be established on proper investigation that
they have failed to receive a payment on settle
ment heretofore made, and in which vouchers pur-
porting to represent their actual payment have
been filed with the accounting officers OF the treas
ury by the disbursing officers of the late Freed
mems bureau; the second section directs that IN
every where the investigation shall prove that
the claimants have not in fact received payment oil
their claims the fact shall be reported to the prop
er accounting officers of the treasury who shall
thereupon settle such claims. Sixth section di-
reefs the attorney general to institute proper legal
proceedings against all persons who shall be
shown to be implicated in those frauds in order to
vindicate public justice and to prevent loss to the
government.
Mr.. kasson Of Ia, made point of order that
as one of the sections of the bill provided for an
expenditure of money, it should be referred 10 a
committee of the whole
MIR. Douglass-Thc correspondence shows that
these accounts have been settled, and the money
paid to the Free6man's Bureau for the purpose of
paying thcse men, ana tue Dill SIMPLY provides
That their accounts shall be settled and charged
against appropriations heretofore made.
MIR. kasson-Do understand the gentleman to
say that no money has been paid to any of these
colored men
Mr.. Douglass-It has been paid over to the
commissioner of the Freedman's Bureau, and has
not been paid to the parties entitled to it.
Mr. hasson-Then it is very clear that this bill
provides for another disbursement, and of course
IT Is desirable to see the evidence before the
House shall pass that bill.
MIR. Douglass-If the gentleman had not been
so prompt in making the point of order, had ln-
tended to state to the House that the preamble in
tends to be only epitome of the report as it
came from the Secretary Of War.
MIR. kasson-lt was necessary to make the Ioint
of order promptly, or it could not be made at all
The Speaker pro TEN. Cox lit is very evident
that the point OF order is well taken, the fifth
section provides for the payment of such expendi-
lures as may be necessilated by the investigation
provided for.
Mr.. Douglass-I yield to the decision of the
CHAR, and now | move that the House go into
committee of the whole, for the purpose Of con-
sidering the bills.
Mr. kasson-I suggest to the gentleman from
Va, to allow the report to be printed, we do
not know the amount o: money that may be called
for under that bill
MIR. lIoar-This bill recites an assertion of
grossly fraudulent conduct on the part OF dis
tingulshed Major General Of the army who gave
his right arm to the service of his country. This
House took pains the other day to remove from
member OF this body on the other side (naming
Mr.. Brown Of Ky a censure which affected his
personal honor the minority of the House rising
with his political friends in their desire to do that
gentleman most ample and abundant justice.
Now ask the majority of the House if they think
it Is fair to pass that bill relation to Major Cen
eral Howard without having the evidence on which
the bill is based printed.
MIR. Ho.man-At any rate this paper ought to
be printed and trust, inasmuch as the gentleman
from Virginia has the right to report at any time
that he will allow it to be printed.
MIR. Douglass thereupon moved that the bill and
correspondence be printed and recommitted, and
it was ordered.
The Speaker pro tenn laid before the House the
message from the President in relation to the ex-
tradition treaty with England
On motion of Banks the message was referred
to the committee on foreign affairs.
MIR. Mutchler of Pa, introduced a bill author
zing the exchange of registered bonds, which was
referred
Mr.. Poppleton Of Ohio, from the committee on
expenditures on public buildings, reported
luton authorizing the subcommittee to proceed
TO New iork and such other places as are deemed
necessary, for the purpose oil taking testimony in
the matter of expenditures Oh public buildings
Adopted. Adjourned.