The Republican journal., 1876-05-04
Charges Against Morton.
WAsuISGTON April :

WASHINGTON, April 70.
Senator Morton is being informally in
vestigated by correspondence and Con-
gressmen in connection with the payment
to him in 1862, of quarter of million of
dollars from fund appropriated in 1861
to pay the expenses of transporting and
delivering arms and munitions of war, to
the loyal citizens of States of which the
inhabitants were, OF might be. in rebellion
against the government Of the United States
and to provide for the expense of organic
ing them into companies, battalions, regi-
ments, or otherwise, for their own pro-
lection against violence, instruction, in
vasion or rebellion.
Two million dollars were appropriated
under this act. Among the list OF war
expenditures in connection with the above,
is this item: For supplying transporta-
ton and the delivery Of arms and NUM-
tons Of war in states in rebellion against
the government of the United States, O.
Z. Morton, Governor of Indiana, $3.50,
O0O."
Indiana was never in rebellion and it
was query why Morton should have had
$3.50, 600 when there was no purpose I'M
der the statute for making an appropria-
ton for which money could have been le-
gally expended.
The correspondent recalls the fact that
quorum of the Indiana legislature was
broken by republicans boiling to prevent
some party legislation, and no appropria-
ton bills were passed Morton was then
Governor. He did not call the legislature
together again, but made trip to Wash
| ington. On his return, the paymasters
pffioa 4
the state government promptly met, no
| one but Morton intimates knowing where
the money came from
The friends of Senator Morton express
| confidence that he is fully able to meet
the recent charge against his integrity in
connection with the $3.50, 200 he received
from the government in the spring Of 1862.
Of this amount he expended as Governor
in behalf of the state $133 800, 81 for mil
| itary purposes, for which the State settled
with him, and this amount was paid back
to the government setting off a like
| amount from the payment of the entire
sum due to Indiana for advances made to
the government in the beginning of the
war. The balance Of the $3.50, 900, name
ly Sl17, 7.O6, he did not use, but return
ed to the government. The settlement
was entirely closed with the government
Nov. Is, 1866. and Senator Morton has now
the original paper which shows this fact.
1t appears that few days ago Repre-
sentative Spencer called at the Treasury 20
examine the war accounts of Senator Nor
| ton while he was Governor of Indiana.
The Secretary declined to permit such ex-
animation unless Mr. Morton or some
friend for him should be present, and in
formed Mr. Morton of these facts. Mr..
Morton called on Mr. Sp1ingerand said he
had no objection to examination of his en-
tire war expenditures, but desired to be
represented on such examination by
friend Mr.. Morton Immediately telegraph
ed to General Sturm, who was chief of
ordnance, and to General Terrell, who
was his military secretary, to come to
Washington and both of these gentlemen
are now here. Mr. Morton will take ear
ly occasion in the Senate to fully explain
the transaction, regarding it lawful, and
will afford all the necessary facilities for
complete examination on the subject.