Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-24

defeated by the irregular AMI unlawful practices Of
the Navy Department The annual reports TO Con
6ress give correct information of the expenditures
under each head, ard for any purpose of that kind
are no better than blank paper. They worse, for
they misesd aud deceive I fluid that mos, of those
experienced in the public accounts attribute their
present condition in the Navy Department to the sys.
ten OF specific appropriations. am not prepared TO
adn mat II rs so much the fault of the system of
ITS administration. he S, stem is difficult, but Ger.
tainy not imprac,icable All will admit that il ought
to be enforced abolished. know Of but one mode
OF enforcing IT. Let Congress give us appropra-
ton TO meet all arrearages under head of
priauon prior to the first day of January 1885, Let
every account in the Navy Department be settled up
10 mat uAy and all balances due paid ct that ap-
preparation. Let careful estimates be made for ex.
penses accruins in 1880, and no part OF the money
appropriated for that to be paid any account
accrmng prior 10 that year. Compel every discussing
officer to make careful estimates OF the amounts need.
ed by him under each head; forbid his having on,
money for other purposes than those for which il is
sent ia him. and refuse him credits tor all over pay.
men's Let no transfers he made except in the cncr.
srncy and IN the manner prescribed by law; and let
such as may be made. he reported To Congress as the
law requires, that the deficiency may be supplied
With strictness audi severity in executing the law.
THINK The present system practicable. Bat tits com.
picated and difficult aud. m respects, unsafe
i>et an! member OF Congress, other person. how.
ever talented and. intelligent, eater this Office srI
attempt Ia ascertain for what purans-s the nobIc
money has been paul during the last four years.
Where will he look for the information? VIII h urn
TO lhe books They VIII give him none The entries
are all IN general terms under each head and give y,
cue TO The real character If the vouchers VIII he
ask he Clerks: Their recolcctons are indisnct and
unsatisfactory. lie procure what he wants onlv
oy personal inspection OF the ten thousand of youch
ers IN thousands OF accounts which il would IA \ @
monlhs 20 examine. have been in this office ,bout
SIX months and all know OF past tr,nsact,ous hoe
been obtained by accident in The necessary ro,;r of
Business or IN tedious Investigations. What there
may De concealed in the numerous boxes and files of
papers winch nj the passage, the shelves, and the
rId6eon holes OF the Office, know not: nor can eyer
know Without opening and carefully inspecting the
contents of every bundle. Without \ long resrarcl,
Ne cannot tel! what the building or inrr ont of ap
snip has cost, or any thing else OF those hundred items
OF information which always iuieretin and often
uSeI"- me various items are scattered through the
books OF the office " derVsgious heads urappropiaton
from which II - always difficult, and sometimes pos.
sble To Gull and cOl!a;e them. These heads of aporo.
ptIauon as they appear in the books ct this Office are
IKE splendid distractions more beautiful ~ theory
than useful in practice.
hafpears 10 me. all The benefits now derived from,
SPECIFIC appropriations rajCht be realized without their
nconfSUSnccS, Oy TVGU ring the Department. TO present
specific estimates.-by appropria,ne. sum in cross
Tor the support OF the NAVY, by requiring the
secretary to account annually for the expended
under each head OF his estimates. To euforcesthc
present system. liberal estimates be made under
each head 10 meet unexpected emergencies because
one head cannot depend for relief on another; but
upon the plan suggested, 4 general allowance for
amount OF appropriations need not be so great. To
enforce the present system, il will aSO &c necessary to
oatA!cc unNcE eHCo mead ~ The hRnGs OF
dsbursng officer, thereby magnihing the aggregate
at his disposition, and multiplying the chances for
rau'! and dctalca;on. Under the plan suggested the
money IN their hands would constitute general fund.-
applicable TO all naval purposes, and the whole sum
continually entrusted 10 them need not ne so large.
Whether the system be changed or not, the interDo-
sition OF Congress is absolutely necessary. Without
1t, That which is now confused, must become worse
con:ounded. If they viii but give US the means Of
paying up arrearages, and compel TO draw upon
The appropriations OF 1850 to pay debts acCJurg III all
preceding years We can do much ourselves towards
eXlcainS te accounts OF the Department from their
present embarrassment. Without that, We can do
noth'ngi unless, indeed, pay all such A..
counts, and refer them to Congress which wuuIl he
great Injustice 10 the creditors Of the uublic.
My sollctude on this subject is great. None apDears
to me more TO need or deserve the consideration of
Congress. n system Of pay and emolumen,s aud
reform IN the mode OF keeping the accounts, would
place 1t on high ground. | want no discretion.
Wsh TO be able to turn 20 law or lawful rcgula-
uon tor every allowance am called on to make. |
W'sh 10 make every transaction Of this Office so plain
That every member of Congress- and any man Of com.
mon capacity IN the country, understand it, There
are no mysteries IN good government To manage
the affairs Of the American people IS not necessary
TO deceive and blind them. Honesty in Official duties
and truth IN disclosing all that is done will rvet tie
government in the affections of the people and make
our Union rs firm mountains.
From my want of experience do not nattcr my.
sell that any great value ought to be attached to NV
suggestions Ii they shall lead to Investigations
which shall give efficiency TO the Navy, and place the
administration of its affairs the basis of the Cons
tuition, shall be more than compensated for the trou
! BILE Of making them.
Very respectfully, your obcdient servant,
AMOS KENDALL.
John Branch, Esq. Secretary of the Navy.
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