The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1881-08-27

IT HAS BEEN KNOWN to the initiated
for several years past that the signal SER
vice, as managed by the late Gen. Myer and
Capt. Howgate, was one Of the greatest
frauds in the country. From small begin
nings aud secondary Importance Gen. Myer,
by shrewd manipulation and terrapin sup
pers, wheedled Congress into making large
appropriations and placing under his con-
troll the entire lines Of military telegraph.
In these maneuvers he was ably assisted
by Capt Howgatc, who, by his bonhomie
and pleasant manners, found no difficulty
in cultivating social relations with Senators
and members. Gen. Myer made the plans
and Howgate executed them.
The law creating the Office of chief signal
officer placed the signal service exclusively
under the control of the Secretary of War;
but, little by little, legislation was secured
by Gen. Myer, mainly intcrpolated in ap-
preparation bills, which, in effect, stripped
the Secretary of all special power over the
signal service, and Mycr and Howsatc ran
matters as they saw fit. In this way, by
the receipt of moneys paid for private tele-
grams over the military wires, a magnificent
slush fund was obtained
sSlush fund is term applied to loose
moneys, under control of disbursing Of
ficers, not required to be covered into the
the Treasury, and hence can be employed
for any purpose coverable by voucher.
The money which Howgate is charged with
misappropriating was derived from slush
funds, and to those who claim to know
how the cat jumps 1t seems impossible that
Howgate should have made ducks and
brakes of it without the knowledge and
consent Of Gen. Myer.
1t is unfortunate that Gen. Myer Is dead,
for, were he alive, he would prove most
valuable witness.
Some four years ago subcommittee of
the House Military Committee undertook,
by resolution of the House, to investigate
the operation and workings of the signal
service, which were represented to be some
what crooked in certain regards, especially
those appertaining to assumed scientific
knowledge. Gen. Myer appeared before
the committee and was examined
by an expert employed for that
purpose. Considerable testimony was
taken, not at all creditable to the manage
ment of the service nor to the scientific at
tainments of its chief. In fact, the scientific
end appeared to have been exclusively
managed by certain professors hired and
paid as civil employees. All of sudden
the investigation shut up like q jack-knife.
Proceedings were suspended and none of the
testimony taken was ever printed or sent to
the full committee or to the House. 1t was
afterward limited that the snug sum of ten
thousand dollars was paid to q member of
Congress to bring about the prorogation of
the report of the subcommittee. Whether
this sum was taken from the slush fund or
paid from private pockets no one knows
Perhaps the Howgate investigation will
throw some light on this subject
THE GROWTH OF panic has been neatly
illustrated ut Ocean Grove, where the peo-
pie are now recovering their nerves. A
swimmer, feeling exhausted, called for help,
and bathing master promptly went to his
assistance with boat. From this small
incident rose a cry Of Man drowning" and
everybody ran to see. In this wild charge
some one stepped on a dog, the dog yelped
and an excited fool, of course, yelled ~ Mad
dog" Then, indeed, the people did run,
rushing for safety into pavilion, until a
terrific crash was heard Women tainted,
children shrieked, and as the community is
piOus it is to be presumed men shouted.
After all, " beam had snapped, and in all
the scare nothing living was hurt but the
little dog.
In SPEAKING OF the Presidents letter to
his mother, the Courier-Jownal finely says;