Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-06-10


In some instances, claims have been passed, so far
as the committee have been able to examine them,
which, though they appear to connect themselves
wi.h the Indian service, seem cAtfavagant in a
mount, and destitute of exact specification and
vouchers which constitute the best security against
fraud and Imposition
The committee now refer TO the following items
as coming under the one or both Of these classes:
Pad James Il. Denny, Secretary TO
the Creek Delegation, upon his
certificate, ~ 365 81
Jlsse Brown. for board of Creek De-
legation, from December, 1925,
until April, 1925, 1878 IS
y Tennison, board Mclntosh's par
~, 1910 90
Board ofJohn Crowc,l, Indian gent,
and three Indians, liS Oh
Paid for boot and shoe backing for
Indians, al5 90
Paid Mortz Furst for taking Pres
fd,Rt adams likeness, SC. 1000 90
raid. within the last three years,
for taking portraits OF Indians $50 90
The amount paid and claimed out of the contin-
gent fund by Thomas l.. NcKenncy a clerk who
has, 10 great extent, the control Of the fund fur
hishes another instance ol prufusuness and want OF
strict accountability.
Mr.. Mckenncy's salary as cier, il fixed by law
at 500. In May, 1927 it appears, that for some
purpose: he was sent by the Secretary Of War up,
on a mission 10 several Indian tribes, and the sum
Of Sl,Too advanced 10 linn. MIR. Mex cnney was
also associated with Gov Cass TO hold treaty
with the Indians nj Green Bay for which ne charged
as compensation, the OF eight dollars for every
twenty miles travelled, and eight dollars per day.
while engaged in making the Treaty at Green Bay.
MIR. Mchenney settled his accounts with Govern
or Cass, or Mr.. Forsyth his Secretary AMI charged
not Only his mileage Tor going, but also $500 Tor
returning from Green Bay 10 Washington; and
which Journey lie did no, make. From this point,
IN pursuance OF the instructions from the w ar
Department, he visited, By way of St Louis. the
indians i'll Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia;
thence 10 w Washington. For this latter service i,
upon his return, lie presented his accounts 10 tn
Department fer settlement, amounting TO four
thousand five hunprcd ana thirty two dollars
The Secretary, contrary TO the usual practice in
in The department, ii not IN violation Of the law
oil Congress, which directs in what manner the &C
counts tor Indian expenditures shall be settled. is
sued his requisision for the balance said to be due
Alr. Mckinney, without requiring or per-
IittinS his accounts 10 be first stated settled and
'ouched at the proper accounting officers, the Sc
'ond Auditor anc Second Comptroller OF The Trea-
sury y long correspondence ensued between
the Second Comptroller Mr. McKenney and the
Secretary OF War, which possesses no interest
other than it illustrates the fact, that the Sec
retary oil Hrr aud his clerl. claimed the right
10 use the fund referred 20 az their discretion and
that no other voucher than the appreciation of the
expenditure by the Secretary OF War, was requr-
Cd This principle was resisted by the Second
comptroiler who referred the subject 10 the Pre-
Sient OF the u ). and he decided that the principle
contendcd for by the Second Comptroller was cor
rect, in reference 10 the Of Thomas T. NIcKcn-
Dcy.
The whole amount received and claimed by
Mr.. Mckinney, and which has received the sane
uoh oil The Secretary of Var, for his personal SER
vices, expenses, and allowance as Commissioner
at Green bay, and for his visiting the Southern
Indians, was S64I2f for about Sin months service
Il 10 ms be added his salary clerk in the De-
partment for the same time, S 500, the whole a.
mount hich has been paid and allowed him, in
including the sum of : ,34i for which the reuui
sition oil the Secretary ctWar was issued, for six
months, Tor the objects Stated, will be 3 1912.
numerous other Instances OF eXtravagant and
legally questionable allowances could be cited but
'hese are deemed sufficient 10 suggest the proprie-
ny oil some new organization OF the Indian Depart
ihen', by which more strict accountability will
be secured, and greater economy established in the
expenditures.
Your committee would, therefore, recommend
mat the salaries OF the interpreters should be spe
ciic all annuiics TO the Indians; all expenses at
tchding the employment of blacksniths strikers
implements and iron; all expenses OF agencies in
Guiding the building OF houses repairs, clerk hiI e
anu o'her expenses; Tor which purpose your COM
mi;tee will report bill
GENERAL POST OFFICE.
9th. " hat reduction, Of expense can be made in
The number Of officers and The amount of com.
pensa'ion which they receive, in the Postmaster
Generals Department.
The comisttee would beg Leave TO refer to the
ietteF Oh ihe Chief oil that Department, marked No
o, by which ii appear that the efficiency of this
branch OF the public service is in condition high
ly improved, end improving: that, whilst the
sphere oil It's usefulness is immensely augmented
us revenue IS going on in d corresponding ratio of
pToductivcness. L nder its present able admins
tIaIion, If has been brought UP from an annual
charge TO the Government Of upwards Of SIS 900,
10 yield, IN 1877, nett profit Of 800 SIP with an
extension OF post routes and Post Offices so much
increased AID increasing, that your committee
concur III opinion with the head of this Depart
iheht' ulat Congress must expect rather gradual
augmentation Oh the clerks and officers in it, than
that they should be diminished: fact for which
the public will, however have ample compensation
in tie extended usefulness and aucInentinr pro-
nus OF a branch OF our public establishments
"hich suOserVes SO many purposes of commercial
communication, political intelligence, and social
intercourse.
18th. And that ihc committee be further in
sIuctcd to examine the several contingent funds OF
each Oi the Departments, and to report the amount
and objects tor which disbursements have been|
made =. ON these funds; and that they report the
amounts, Souchcd and untouched which have
Deen paid from the secret service fund, since the
INST day OF July 1850, or The fund Regulating the
contingencies OF foreign intercourse, and OF the
iund Tor The expenses Of the intercourse with the
Baibary Powers"
As your Committee have already exhibited. Sc
Parateiy, under the appropriate head Of each De-
Pirlnent, the result Of the examination which
thcy have made OF the contingencies Of all Of them
no part OF the requirement Of this bra nch of the
Jesoiuuon remains TO be performed, excepting
ne exposition OF the expenditures made by the
departments for printing and advertising, which
expenditures form what may be we'll called the
EXECUTIVE PATRONAGE OF THE PRESS
There are, throughout the U. States about 81
regularly appointed publishers OF the laws who
also enjoy the incidental profit of publishing the
advertisements Of the Government, and about I6
or IL printers, other than those appointed TO urint