Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-13
pUPI.IC

The following IS the Report of Tie Joint Com
mittee 10 the Legislature On Friday last-.4ccom-
panied by the letters of Messrs. Campbell and
pendleton. (wo Of the Members of The Executive
C0uncit}
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
The Join, Committee of the Senate and House
Of Delegates, appointed 10 examine the Treasu-
Ter's accounts, have according 10 order, perform
ed the duty assigned them, and respectfully sub
.nit the following remarks and Documents:
The Treasury Office having, within the last
year, been under The control o.. different inGiyidu-
ls,.the Committee VIII first notice lis state, for
that part of the year embraced by the accounts OF
the unfortunate Jerman Baker; during which
period, the details ct business appeared to have
been well ordered; and the various duties imposed
by law, for the regulation OF the office. observed.
without any material omission. Suitable books
lad been provided, in which were stated, in a per-
spicuous manor, the accounts Of money rcceired
for public taxes and .mpositions; and paid in pur-
susRce OF acts and votes Of tho General Assembly.
Those accounts in every instance, were sup
ported by warrants, in substance such as the law
requires; nothing appearing upon the face Of the
accounts, OF character OF the vouchers, calculated
10 excite the slightest suspicion, that any diver
sion or Iisapplicatioa O. The public monies had oc-
Cured, and the Committee believe that had detec-
ton OF the fracd upon the Treasury rested alone
upon the facts furnished by the Treasurer's books,
there yet would have been no developement.
Having complet ted so much of their examina-
ton, as related merely 10 the accounts of the late
Il casurer the proceeded 10 examine tie
accounts Of the resentincumhent ia Office. Law
son Burfoot.
They found that oil which had proven Taluahle
4 the manner of keeping the accounts by the
former Treasurer, have been adopted by the pre-
fent; to which he has added some valuable i'm
s%rovements, simplifying the forms and contriLu-
pting TO the greet + security Ct tile public funds.
The Annual Report Of the Treasurer for the
last fiscal year, ending the S0th September, 1928,
has already put the General Assembly in possession
of tine material facts relating 10 the amount Of the
public funds, and how they were disposed of at
that time; it remains only for tie committee now
10 say in confirmation OF the Report, that by a
careful comparison of it with the Treasurer's
books, and also from statements furnished by the
Presidents Of the two Banks, they have no doubt
Of its accuracy.
The disasters in the Treasury, notwithstanding
the management Of that department Of the Co,
verninenti is subjected 20 a quart"r-yearly exami-
nation by a III Of the Executive and an
nually 10y a Of the Legislature-haye
sc0171ed MiS Committee that too much diligence
cannot be used in discharge Of the important duty
conided to them. They have, therefore, subject
cd the accounts and official conduct Of the present
Treasurer 60 a most inmate scrutiny; by which,
had error existed in either, il would in all proba-
tiiity have beeu,detected. Each item i'm The account
Of receipts and disbursements, was supported by
proper vouchers, and arranged under lis approprf-
ate head, Che balduCes on the books at the cui of
every month, were found TO correspond exactly
with the Report: and the additions Throughout
were revised by members Of the Committee skHl.
;ul 10 The combination Of numbers, and found 10
be accurate ia a remarkable degree.
BY reference 10 the Journals, It may be per.
ceiyed Chat IT has been he general practice Of
Committees, appointed 10 examine the Treasurcr's
accounts, 90 cOnGne their Investigations 10 the
preceding fiscal year exclusively; and TO This cir
cumstance in some measure, may he dscribed the
concea1mcnt Of TIC recent spcculaIons upon fhe
Treasury. This inischieqous practice, is supposed
80 have originated lrofr he iaw passed ~ the year
1907, varying the fiscal from tie calendar yoar.
Whatever reasons may have produced Die change:
iowcrer ne convenience Of the departments Of
Government, (Which ore required o. make their
snnuai reports BY fhe meeting Of the Crn .d AZ.
s5mbiyD may he promotes. or legislation f,cili,.
ted ant nasten~d thereby nevertheless. 10 the o
pinio0 Of shis Committee, the practice is ,ncom.
Datbie with the safety Of The public monies. and
they have therefore prosecuted their examination
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