Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-01-07

the expiring contracts. for the transportation Of the
mail in that sccor The advantageous terms of these
contracts, will effect saving TO tho Department, OF
about twenty five per cent, in proportion 10 the .ev-
ces TO be performed.
On entering the DEPARTMENT. my attention was at an
eaiiy day, drawn to the manner In which is funds
were received aud dishursed. Circumstances trans
PRED at the very threshold OF this inquiry which in
dieated iooseness and responsibility rnt rely uvo-
patbc with that system, which ought 10 characterize
every branch of The public service. Moneys asheea
advanced 10 different persons contrary 10 law; ard
Sous in the immediate employment, Of the Department
VINO receive stipulated salares defined and
eel by law, had received money in advance from the
'nnds oil the Department beyond the allowances SO
provided, and which had no, beer app, opriat~d.
There stands a, this day. tn Book. ST the ID part
men'. balance of 50 l64 l6, tor moneys formerly adj
'anced out OF the funds OF the Department. the
compensation provided by law TO different officers and
Clerks, who had been employed hut who have II the
service: the greater part OF which will probably
he collected. considerable number OF accounts stand
open against other individuals for moneys advance ed
some oil whom are now unknown TO the ID trment
An act OF Congress. of April 81, 1906, appropriated
go 400 Tor repairing the road from Athens OH the route
10 New Orlean.. and 5000 dollars for the road
Nashville aud Nstchez, to be expended under the d.
recton ot the Pre- ilen, who design tied the Postmas
Ter General TO carry the law into effect. The money.
appropriated were mingled with the general fund. of
the Department, out OF which the expenses OF the
road were betrayed; and there standing on the
books OF the tfice, balance oil l05 81 ay ain. the
hst, ard against the other OF the roads balance of
81 $40 IS; making together, the of 1852 80 on
account oil moneys advanced by the Department and
Tor which il. /. It'll accountable az much money in
h-ni, though these accounts originated twenty three
years since These facts evinced radical defect in ia.
system OF financial operations OF the Department.
II appeared that all the funds OF the Department
were received and ibur.ed by one of the Assistant.
whie the Postmaster General held spon sibe in
law, ior their proper application The Assistant had
u IN ms power at all times TO withdraw, furnish for
Tue use OF others, the funds OF the Department 10
large amount, without the knowledge OF its head, or
OF any other person attached to it, There was no
check upon any such transactions, nor any thing con-
nccted with the system cacu lated bring the IN to
lght. The Assistant made d-postes OF part Of the
'unis in the different banks subject to hi iviua
on"ck'; and retained part in his own hands, but TO
"ha' amount 10 nat shcwn by any document record
IN The Department. On the change Of the .ys.em
mere was found in an iron Golfer. his posses the
sum OF 1896 49, consisting of $40 I-2 in specie
and Sl9,S57 40 l-2 in bank notes certificates. and
checks fths sum 81 633 III were found to be conn
terici', and 81 672 62 in notes of broken bank
and oil no value. part OF the remainder is of vetv
uo'ou' charlcter Such as was not a.cerianed to be
goou ma been sent TO the diff States from which il
issued, Tor the purpose Of determining its value and
rendering IL avaals; but what proportion of il will b.
'onnd worthless or Deprecated, is not yet learned
he necessity OF an entire change in the mode of
conducting this business, was most OBVIOUS
Directions have been given, thar the money appro-
pra'ed law for the payment Of salaries shall ne yer
DC uhied wh u c funds OF the Department, but that
II shall be drawn by agent appointed for ,ht nur |
pose, and applied directly the Jet for which il i.
'PPopra'ed 80 that the persons receiving shall have
-
his will ofectually prevent advances and YER nav
nehts on that he in ume
IL was important todevise system by which no mo- !
'eys should he received disburse or in any manner
ome within the coniroul OF any individual but that
VI moneys should be paid into the Department by
hcaes oil depose IN banks, and that no;hing conI b.
avn from such deposiies, not by the head of ia.
department., without the signature OF two distinct Off
ers oil the Department, each acting indepe of
he Other ami no h certifying TO the correctness of n.
CT 50, ''in; the 'ransfer OF moneys from PomAsters
he a.,
nj require, ia Ike manner, the investigation and sy
,tire OF two distinct officers of the department IL |
vas likewise necessary that tn" system shold embrace
rule whc should require Pjstmasiers to account |
promptly or the proceeds Of their Offices and prevent
n accnmul ton OF postage in their hands This has |
cen done; and il is b., we'd that the none, OF this De-
artm"n are now a. cH;c'usly protected as those Of
ny other Department in the Government.
The observan;s Of the system which has b..n
Opted will require add i,na labour, bu, ieene
sen'ia to the security and prosper of this Depart
nent
have the hoaor TO be, with great regard your ODE
ieLt 'crvant,
ID