The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-09-06
THE CHARGES DESTROYED.
Indisputable Testimony Clears Mr.. Fred
Brackett.

suming to speak for the Grand Army Of the
Republic, but nevertheless apparently sctu-
ated by malice, some days since filed letter
with the Secretary of the Treasury alleging
that Fred Brackett, late Chief Clerk, during
his whole term of Office objected to the APP
pointment Of old ex-Union soldiers, and fav.
ored the appointment of ex-rebel soldiers and
ana their offspring. Any one who knows
Fred Bracket knows that such a charge is
false and malevolent. The journal of the
twenty-second annual encampment of the De
partment of Potomac, G. A. R., shows the
following resolution, which passed unani-
mously:
ResolUed, That this encampment expresses
its confidence in Comrade Fred Bracket as a
friend of the Union veterans, and feels under
great obligations to him for his many acts of
Kindness toward our comrades in his position
as Chief Clerk Of the Treasury Department
Several comrades spoke in praise of Com
rade Bracket, and cited the fact that the
Treasury watch, laborer, and messenger rolls,
were soldier rolls and its char rolls soldiers
widows roll, under the reorganization by the
present Chief Clerk of the Treasury Depart
ment.
This occurred February 26, 1890. The
journal OF the twenty-third annual encamp-
ment, page 2S, shows the following as q part
of the report of the employment committee:
Among those to whom this committee is
especially indebted for kindness in the way of
appointments is our Comrade
Major Frederick Brackett, Chief Clerk of the
Treasury Department, whose desire to aid us
in our work is only bounded by his ability to
find places to fill.'' The records of the De-
partment show over 100 appointments during
the first year of Brackett's incumbency from
this and other departments of the G. A. r.
These records also contain copy of vote of
thanks rendered to Bracket by various posts
of the G. A. r. for his care of their members
letters from various officers of the G.. A. r. in
Maryland commenting him for aiding in
securing the appointments of ex-soldiers and
sailors; letters from the presidents and past
presidents OF the Woman's Relief Corps.
thanking Brackett for the s'kindly considera-
ton and patient hearing of the many applica-
uons made to him for employment for widows
OF ex-Union soldiers and their dependent
Ones" and for the appointment of so many
of the applicants; letter from Captain j.
M. Edgar, of the Old Guard, saying that
whenever it was in your power some one of
our comrades was placed in position either
upon the watch or laboring force . *
you will bear with you the best wishes of
your comrades, especially by the old soldiers
of the Old Guard.'
Every man now in this city who has occu-
pied the honorable position of Commander of
the Department of the Potomac, Grand Army
Of the Republic, has placed on file letter
commencing Fred Brackett's administration,
,. -.
Burdette, Past Commander-in-C Chief of the g.
A. r., says: II thought so well of his faith
fulness to Grand Army and veteran interests in
general that l made him my assistant adjutant
general | have always been glad that did
so. know that he is, and always has been,
the friend Of deserving ex-soldiers, and that
any assertion to the contrary is the result of
either ignorance or malice.n
n Harrison Dingman: 'sThe record of Mr..
Brackett's favors toward Union soldiers is
clearer and brighter than that of any other
person ever holding the place."
n. NJ. Brooks: ''A mans honorable SER
vice in the Union forces during the war
OF the rebellion was given greater con-
sideration in connection with application for
minor places in the Department than during
any other period during the past fifteen years"
A. ii. g. Richardson heartily concurs in the
statement of Dingman and Brooks.
w. 5. Odell: 1.-The applications of the
honorably discharged ex-Union soldiers and
their widows and orphans received greater con-
sideration at his hands than that of any bu-
reau officer in the employ of the Federal
Government"
George E. Corson: ~ have heard nothing
from Grand Army men during Major Brack-
ett's incumbency of the Chief Clerkship of
the Treasury but commendation of his course
IL the matter of appointments
j. b. Burke has had large experiencein the
matter OF seeking employment for ex- Union
soldiers and their widows and orphans and
says that Brackett will have his earnest, hearty
support in defense of any charge against
Brackett's treatment of such applicants, and
believes the Grand Army of the Republic of
this Department will stand by him to a man.
because he is and always has been found
worthy.n
Mr.. Emmett Ureall II found no man more
courteous and kind than Major Brackett,
when seeking employment and attending TO
the wants of distressed comrades
Benjamin f. Hawkes. says he disbelieyes
charges that Bracket has Disseminated
against old soldiers, and desires to endorse
him as faithful 'comrade."
q. 7. Lincoln: IL have frequently heard
Brackett commended in the highest terms for
his earnest energetic, and active interest in
the welfare of his deserving comrades and
that "Ma1or Bracket, both as a citizen and
as member of the q. A. r. is worthy of and
entitled to the fullest confidence"
All the gentlemen named after s. S. Bur
dett have held the Office of Commander of
the Department of Potomac, G. A. r.
Calvin Farnsworth, who was chairman of
the relief committee during NJ E. Urelps ad-
mlnistration as commander: sYou have done
all in your power to help the old soldiers to
places in the Department, and take this op-
portunity to thank you for the appointments
made from the comrades of Post 8. The
comrades of the G. A. r. hold YOU in HIGH
esteem and wish you success ana happiness.n
Another Old Soldier Gone.
familiar figure, for the past twenty wears