Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-07-03

prevented earlier reply. You inform me- that 70,
have charged Ia per cent. the amount Of your dis
bursements as agent OF the treasury; and you reque
that will give direct to the accounting officers, 4
settle your account upon the principles you have stated
have 10 observe, that so far as informed, ther,
Is no precedence for the allowance you have claimed
OF the disbursements at the seat of government are
made throurh similar agencies. A list Of them is sub.
joined, which will exhibit AZ one view, their amour,
and general character.
This practice has been adopted, 10 avoid the nuitpi,
cation OF accounts with the treasury, and tho unneces-
sary labor Of issuing and passing them h
all the forms for small sums. Previously to the act o.
7th May 1922 the Treasurer of the United States
made by regulation, the agent E>r the military and ma
val service OF the government; each OF the icgs
lavs and executive departments and subordinate bran
ches officer clerk IS designated pay the saa-
res and contingent expenses; and the actual labor
making The contracts aud examining the bills for a lar
portion OF the expenditure, for which you have been
the nominal agent, viz in the other branches OF the
Treasury Department. has been performed by others
But cannot learn that any commission has been
allowed at the treasury for those srrvices The duties
are, may be-, performed within oc hours, and n
the expenses attending then paid for by the govern
mont in clerk hire, stationery, Sc The whole labor
ol keeping the accounts, is not than must have
been performed by each OF the accounting officers AMI
the register and treasurer, if the agency did not ex:
The arrangement has therefore been male not TO
creasS expense, but to saYe labor, whereby single
clerk could perform in oRce what would have en-
ploycd several 10 different Offices.
You WILL therefore, perceive that these services re
suug oaly from moaih alton OF tho busin.s s OF the
offices for general convenience, and equally dlstr-
buted among them, not in their nature extra and
cannot be re gard ID as demanding special compcnsato
but should the allowance you claim he admitted the
same ruls Of justice would require similar ALLOWANCE
all other agencies OF the same character, extending
Jack TO the origin oil the government.
feel persuaded that your views Of the subject mu Il
have undergone some change since our conversation
about the last Of May, you did then propose 10
make specific charge OF commission for your agen-
cy You expressed your regret at your removal rom
Office, il had rendered you less able make up the
deficiency in your accounts, which you admitted was
about $4,000, aud desired that ndus ence would
be extended 10 you; aud, ground for this request
you remarked, that you had property sufficient pay
the deficit. and actually designated certain parts hat
you would apply TO that purpose. You also observed
that You had sustained losses in the dsburse me
of money under your agency and inquired Of mo VIII.
Their did not think ii reasonable that some aowa %
should be made for your trouble. In that particular
declined expressing any opinion that point but re-
quesed you to assist in making up the accounts, and to
state In writing the grounds upon which you expected
any allowance OF this natures that they would be duly
conslerei; and il the ACCOUNTING officers couLI NOT adj
who, doubt would DO you justice. NOTHING that
passed. induced inc to suppose that you intended TO make
SPECIFIC charge oil commission compensation for
your agency, and the long and universal practice of the
government must, think, satisfy you, tha, such n
charge cannot be admitted on any gIound and much
less 10 balance known deficiency which noy under
stand is 81 900. ! aware that some charges OF
this kind have bren lately made 10 OF delinquenccs
bnt they considered without law, and therefor
abuses. was grained TO Ind that you had added
10 unfortunate management Of the monies commit
ted 10 your any evidence of design 10 obtain b,
improper means, that which you had no legal claim TO
In reply your request that Will give direction. Il
the accounting officers to settle your accounts ueon the
principles you have stated have only 10 Observe thai
they are the proper judges OF the law in relation 10 thu
settlement Of accounts. IL they find such autho
Ity for allowing your charge, will be their duty to H.
low il; bu, il not it is not within the power of the Sc
cretary OF the Treasury TO give any direction that will
dispense with that obligation.
am, very respectfully,
Your obedent servant
(Signed) s. d. INCHAM,
Secretary Of the Treasury.