The New York herald., 1876-03-07

Thomas. William b. Hazen. Dove Stanley, Jen =. buNls
r. W. johnson. Thomas j. Wood y. o. Howard ana
dozen other regular officers who commanded corps ana
divisions. Whore are theyS In the line TO day or
dead some are IN command OF departments Can you
recall tho fact that Of those West Pointers
proved bribe-taker a thief? Now,
TO rnE VOLUNTEER OFFICERS,
and what do you ind? How many became, when the
war closed United STATES marshals, Senator's members
OF Congress. posnas,ers and pets OF the central
power AZ Washingtong Beknap, Logan and a score OF
others could name representatives Of this class
Who arc the defaulting internal revenue oihcersY
answer, political officers Who the army officers
given fat places in the Post Oilce Department who
have ruined their regulations and gone into exile or
the penitentary l answer, politicians who during
the war, owing 10 political influence, were promoted
over West Pointers. Who the fellows who, anxing
colonel general to their names, mixed up
in the whiskey fraudsS l answer political generals
and coonels tell you, sir, the whole system is rot
ten. Again I say:-'Thank God Beknap was not
West Pointerl' Nearly every ex-olcer who has been
caught has proved to be politician There that Is
all can say.n
GENERALS VIEWS.
One OF the gentlemen that the reporter subsequently
met for the first time in twelve years greeted him
most cordially and at once remarked
''This Is sad thing about poor Belknap Where
will il endY"
The reporter answered by candidly stating that no
had sought him to get his views relative to Bel
knap's fall
sit is entirely owing TO his wife )" said he; 81 do
not believe that originally Beknap party TO the
Fort Sill bribe But when he learned OF it he continued
under the influence OF apretty wife and fell 1t is the
old, old story-woman's influence Neither do think
that the late Secretary pronted much out of the
sutlerships you gentlemen OF the press think.
have had some experience OF tho matter as com
mander various posts and, while have had per-
sonal knowledge of irregularities in the way or
brbes, have learned from other officers
facts that justify me in saying that
political Influence has had to do
with the sutiershps than the actual pay Of
know this Is so OF Fort Russell Fort Laramie and
Omaha Barracks where, by the way, General Jelr Q.
Davis Is now In command. All these posts
by politicians, who had influence at Washington, and If
money has been paid for the franchise certainly the
commanding officers do not know it, rho whole sys-
tenn wrong, tell you The appointment OF suffers
should havo been taken out Of the hands of the
Post Commandant aud
COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION,
and transferred the War Department The Post
Commandant appoints the three senior officers of the
post a. the Council of Administration II is the duty
these officers establish rules for tho government
of the suffers post traders tx the prices &c This
council is constantly changing in its complexion by the
sickness, absence leave or transfer OF army
officer Hence there il little chance for couson
between the sutier the council member of the
council who may to-day have n voice in the
council and whose voice Is law. may to-mor-
row bc gwen q leave of absence, be trans.
ferred and the next ranking officer succeeds him. You
will see therefore, that II Is impossible for the post
traders to control either by influence bribery tho
Council OF Administration simply for the that
its members constantly changing, and any irregu
lartes would be at detected. The council could
only be controlled by the trader by brbing every off,
Ger at the post have had great experience In the
matter and most unequvocay declare that the
ing OF the power OF appointment and regulation OF tho
suffers In the War Department Is not only subvcrsive
OF discipline but opens the door for tho pcrpetaton Of
just such Irregularities appears late chief has
been guilty Of l said few moments ago that the
suterships secured by political influence. AS
proof OF this let say that who secured the
position Omaha Barracks has since been appointed
United States Marshal Army officers will do their
duty and be depended upon, out politicians
rarely"
INTERVIEW WITH CAPTAIN ROBINSON.
ExpIAsAIIoS bF THE CHARGE MADE AGAINST
HIM-A PACKED COURT MARTIAL.
BALTIMORE, March 9, 1876
The residence Of ex-Captain George Robinson, who
resides No 16 South Chester street. in this city,