New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-06

in consideration of n favorable report in their
cases. was challenged by Mr. Reed. of Maine, to
make specific accusations Mr.. Blackburn was
prepared to do this and Immediately displayed re-
ceipts given to the holder of small claim for five
per cent thereof by man who at the time OF
giving 1t, was employed in the investigation OF
such claims Mr. Reed protested that because
clerk was dishonest it did not follow that the sys
TEN itself wrong.
Another point in favor of the proposition. and one
which appeared to make considerable IMPRESSION
was urged by AbraIn S. Hewitt. He said that, so
long as General Meigs remained at the head OF the
Quartermaster's Department. nobody believed Ihat
extravagant or fraudulent claims would be allowed
But some years ago. without any suggestion iro"
that officer, ne was told that his long and arduous
service entitled him to period of rest, ana he was
forthwith given wears leave of absence. Gcnerai
Rufus ingalls, was assigned to duty as Actlng quar-
termaster-Gcneral; and within thirty days OF MS
being thus assigned be began to rush through tlese
claims Mr. Hewitt called attention to the fact That
General Ingalls, had recalled, rcopened and passed
several large claims which had been disalowed
by General Meigs after thorough investigations III
was easy enough to infer from Mr. Hewitts re-
marks that in his Judgment, n system which was
entirely safe and satisfactory under Quartermaster-
General Megs might not work so well under quar-
termaster-GeneIal ingalls,.
Chairman Hiscock made a vigorous and excellent
speech in favor of the proposition under consider
alton. which was offered by himself as an amend
ment to the bill after the chairman OF the Com
mittec of the Whole had ruled ont, on
point of order the proposition to transfer the CLAIMS
10 the Court of Claims Mr. Hiscock showed that,
uudcr the present system the QnarteTmastcr-Gen
eral N expend about as much money as he pleaSes
and employ about as many agents and clerks as he
chooses investigating claims; and that tins author
lty has been so literally construed and used that
tie yearly expenditures on this account nave run up
TO about 300 600. This he submitted was 700 great
discretion to give any officer. lie sad tiiat tne
| Appropriations Committee would further lnVesti-
gate the subject and bring iii as par OF the Legsl-
tive or Sundry Civil bill a sufficient provision 10
continue the investigation and adjudication OF me
claims Mr.. HiScOck's amendment was hhally
adopted by a vote of 100 to 90.
ASpaSsed by the House. the bill contains the com
pulsory retirement provision for officers OF tne
Army; and, if it shall become a law III
its present form, the names of considerable NUM-
Der of prominent officers will soon be
placed the retired list General Sherman, MAJOR
General Mcdowell, Brigadier-General Wright,
Chief of Engineers, SuTgeon-General Barnes and "a
number of Colonels of the staff and line Will be I'M
mediately retired. Brgadier-Generals Pope and
Augur, Quarermaster-General hgalls and Colonel
+. 4. Dent General Grants brother n-law) Will be
retired next year. and Maior-Ge1lera Hancock Will
reach the age for retirement III 1881. Lleutenant-
General Sheridan can still look forward to eleven
wears of service the active list he being eleven
wears Younger than General Sherman, who was
sixty-twO years old last February.