The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-26
THE MISUSE OF AN OFFICE,
The Money-Making Methods of the New
Democratic Quartermaster-General.
ExOrbitant and Unwarranted Charges Made
for the Use Of Guns-The Governor Re-
fuses to Allow Some of the Bills.

Some of the cartridges used in the recent
sham battle at Castleton caused great deal of
complaint from the men on account of their infe
riority. An officer said that about one out of ev-
cry five failed to explode because they were not fit
ted for the muskets used. eve bought 5000
rounds" said Captain r. E. Smith, the provost
marshal of the camp, land paid the Quarter
master general of the State SIS per thousand.
am sure they did not cost him more than So per
thousand. A better cartridge was furnished US
by young Miller of the Light Artillery, for 50
per thousand. do not know whether Shepherd,
the Quartermaster-general had any right
to charge us for ammunition, but, il
he has, the price was too much,
particularly when consider the poor quality.
When Sam Beck held that Office we paid 81 per
hundred for the use of guns. Shepherd charged
US $25 per hundred. He said this was to cover
the cost of cleaning. That is entirely too much
1t ought not to cost more than three cents each
to clean gun, but / believe Shepherd ships
them from camp to camp without cleaning.
am sure the guns we got did not show the effects
of a cleansing process I have another COM
plant. Why, was two weeks before l could
find Shepherd in his Office to make arrangements
for the guns and ammunition we needed. went
time and time again, to find no one in the Office.
The cleaning of arms is done By his son. If he
has any right to make these charges he wants the
highest rate possible"
The treasurer of the Light Artillery told of
an incident that occurred early in the summer.
"A committee In the interest of soldiers re-
union in Hancock county" he continued, came
to Shepherd TO get the use of two cannon. He
wanted $25 before he would let the guns 60
The committeeman objected to the price, saving
il was too much and that they were not author
lied to expend that much, They came to the
commander of our battery, who let them have
two guns for 500 When Shepherd heard of this
his wrath was great in threatening the worst for
the officers of the battery for allowing their
guns to be used by other parties"
A Journal reporter inquired of Governor Gray
yesterday, as to the custom aud charges in re-
gard to supplying these reunions with ammuni-
ton and guns. "The State is required. he said
to supply its regular militia with arms and
munitions without cost. The companies must
give bond for the arms, and, as it is, we have a
great deal of trouble with independent compa-
MES in regard to their guns. They also have
guns furnished them at the expense of the State,
but many of them disband and we are compelled
to send after the arms, to find them dirty, mis-
used and scattered here and there Even then
we do not get them all until suit is threatened
on the bond. While the regular companies get
their ammunition free, the independent organ
iAoSAVnS III uSb puy H. 4uSy CAL purchase WHITE
ever they see fit. This is the first /
have heard Of the Quartermaster- gen
eral selling ammunition. He makes
no accounting to me of that item except what
is issued TO the regular militia, and that, of
course. the State pays for out of the military
contingent fund. If he has sold any to indie
pendent companies and to soldiers reunions, it
has been as the agent of some manufacturers
That is his individual concern, and over it
have control"
about the charge for guns9r
HE has no right to charge any organization
for the use Of guns, aside from an amount nee
essary to cover cleaning and repairing expenses
| have not had such account from him for
some time The last one appeared to me to be
quite lerge-twenty five cents for each gun. /
told him this item of expenditure was running
up, and that l would not allow any
moro at that rate. / am glad to
have any irregularities brought to my
attention, for believe twenty five cents too high
for cleaning gun that has been blackened
merely in a sham battle. will look into the
matter. At the encampment in Lafayette the
State did not have enough ammunition on hand
to furnish the militia. Shepherd as agent for
his manufacturers supplied the deficiency, on
the requisition of the officers of the encampment
He sent in his bill, but / did not allow it. be-
cause the State is required to furnish the amuni-
ton without charge to these encampments, and
this ammunition, AS we'll as the arms, are sup
piled by the federal government"