The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-07-11
s authority as TO put such

his authority as to put such
q stigma on me. Soon after,
when Mr.. Coburn was chairman of the
committee, l was summoned to Wash
ington to give evidence on the staff Or
ganization Of the French and German
armies. After finishing the information
on these subjects l was questioned on
the subject of post-traders. at hrst
demonstrated on the ground that had
not reported the matter TO
you, because 1 believed the
commisssry department would defeat any
action in that direction, and that my tes-
timony might be considered disloyalty
TO the Secretary. Mr.. Coburn then re.
piled that whatever l might say would
be confidential with the committee. l
then gave the facts, as I had before done
TO General Garfield. My testimony was,
however, openly published. About this
time, feeling that after q long and sue
cessful fight, in which he gained sub
stantisl victory when about being defeat
ed, by the simple fact that the seemed
paltry selfshness of that branch of
the army whose duty it was
to carry out the law, which
did not benefit them but merely added
slightly to their duties, l received
much censure for my action in the mat.
ter. In my great irritation, l did write
an intemperate letter TO either Mr.. Gar
field or Mr.. Coburn IN which l used
many phrases found in Smalley's state.
ment. was in a manner put on trial
and the letter was (so " spesk) extorted
from me, and have always regretted it..
Whether 1t came 10 your notice or not,
l ask pardon for ever writing it.,
Tor in everything else in the whole mat
ter l have been guided conscientiously
by desire TO effect what believe to be
great advantage to the army, the
saving to it of two millions of dollars an
nually-more, even, than its late increase
of psy-besides ridding it of corruptng
influence. the present system having
many of he features Of bribery and ex,
tortion, as goods are usually sold
to the officers at cost, and to
others at high profit while
the system of farming, not unusual, adds
an additional cost, which must be paid
by the troops. have tried before 10 set
this matter before you, but it meets the
usual barrier in the office Of the Com.
missary General. l enclose case Of it.
The law referred TO in that letter was 3
mandatory one of perfectly PLAIN con-
struction, one in which the troops on the
frontier are interested TO the extent Of
about two million dollars annually, and
the construction referred TO in that letter
is not understood, either in fact or in
Justice, only that it has opposed
from the first the department. whose
duty it was to!csrry it out. The objec-
tion made by these ofiicers-that it is no!
in keeping with their other duties, or
that it is un becoming to their position, is
not creditable, as they already keep Tor the
benefit of both officers and soldiers n
large list of articles without detriment- or
complaint, OF dissimilar nature.
The government could furnish cigar
for two cents that the trader charges
twenty for, and which the English gsv-
ernment furnishes for q penny and the
German government for half penny,
and other necessary articles indlspensi-
ble such as towels, brushes, stationery,
come on the same footing, but less exsg-
gerated. When in Washington, three
years ago, l was more gratihed than !
can tell, by the kind reception you gave
me. Later, there was change, the cause
of which | never knew. | know, also,
that some OF my over-zealsus friends have
troubled you and the President 10 ask
iavors for me, but they did it
against my expressed wish and consent
Your subsequent order respecting officers
coming to Washington, &c, led me I,
believe you thought had busted myself
in matters of general Legislation on army
matters, and the officers Of the staff nave
said that / WAS author OF the Coburn
bill, which they had seen in my hand.
writing, which is entirely untrue. !
was especially cautious and never
conversed with any member OF Congress,
AT any time, upon army matters ola gen.
erai nature, and have before me letter
from General Coburn, stating that j
never saw the bill or any OF its provisions.
until after it was introduced in Congress
[ did aid in the restoration of Charles
Jocelyn, being partially in the fault
for his discharge. i have felt
for the past three or four years
that WAS suffering from some un just
impression at the War Department and
it has been a sore, painful wound to me.
| don't believe | am bad, insubordi-
nate, insincere man. have tried all
nv lite u do right and ibdustrIously do
my duty. Ii you think j ever wronged
you, it was certainly from my heart, and ]
regret have caused the impression. j
unfortunately have one or two
enemies OF high rank in the
army, whom ! sometimes think
w'OniuIly prejndios, ,.uI me .,. in u the
have omitted anything which you would
care 10 have further explained, l shall b.
but too glad TO be given the opportunity.
Most respectfully,
[Signed W. b. hAzEs.
To w. w. Beik,lap Secretary Of War,
hSt"yD"N ~ ~"
Witness further testified that he
never knew the Secretary OF
War TO do anything inimicsi or
uafriendly 70 him, and that at one time
he did friendly set toward him.
Some further orders were offered 10
substaEtiate this. 70 which the Managers
objected, and Gen. Hszen was allowed
70 retire.
Mr.. Carpenter asked that the Senate,
sitting NJ court Of impeachment &c,
adjourn over till Wednesday, 70 enable
the defense 20 prepare their SIDE and he
thought that By such preparation be
would be able 70 save the day 70 the Sen
ate IN submitting the defense.
Without deciding the rsqnst the Ben
ate resumed the legislative business.
Mr.. Wright from the Committee on
the Judiciary, reported 3 bill 70 extend
the duration OF the court Of commission
ers OF the Alabama claims ti'l November
lst, next
Mr.. Anthony called up House ball 70
extend for ten days from this date the
act recently passed, 70 cortinue The pub
lie printing after the executive ssssiop.