Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-08-31
POTTPT0ABc
MILES KING NJ D


The shifts 10 which Mr.. King resorts TO satisfy the
puoc IN relation TO his Official conuct would be laugh
able su, for their dishonesty Our purpose now, to
call public attention 10 single instance.
In hrs first answer TO the reports concerning bs ac-
counts he endeavored TO account for the discrepancy
between his monthly and quarterly returns in part by
asserting hat he in the habit OF making PAYMENT,
in advance, and upon unfinished ransac tons and said
the Department. "to save itself from the intoerabe
rouo,e OF examining so many separate receipts
CURED its agents TO send up single rouchers Tor the
tch0fe sums, which could only be obained when the
work in hand or other business was completed"
The 4h Auditor, in his reply. expressed his doubts
whether course so contrary lie law had beeu requr-
ell by the Department and called Mr. King TO pub
li'h his order 10 this effect, If any he had.
In his answer, Mr.. King introduces extract Of a
letter from the 4h Auditor, dated, 81 March, 1878.
which has nothing to 90 with advances or payments on
account; but relates exclusively TO allonens, and
note made upon reconcilement of his account for
the last quarter Of 1920 to the following effect
"Wiih the view oil being able TO ascerian correctly
the state o! the Agents accounts he il requested to
,roduce into his summary a column for ,nonevs adj
rdnced on account 10 be hereafter accounted for ac
companied by an abstract exhibiting such advances to
whom advanced. and for what particular purpose An
payment f0r dUofments must al.o be included in the
same abstract. When the payments are completed,
men 'ne power oil Attorney or other vouchers, to be
transmitted to this office heretofore directed" Sign.
ed, "Constant Freeman, 4th Auditor"
"This. Mr.. King adds, "w;l be allow ed to be per-
feet authority both for my statements and Tor my prac-
i'e accordingly" And he concludes his paragraph by
regarded as absolutely complete"
Now, mark how plain truth shall put down this des
perate delinquent and his Quibbng lawyer
Observe-he date OF this authority is, by Mr..
King own statement shortly after The 3Ist December
1920 " At that time advances aud payments on ac-
coun, Ioere not prohibited by law. The directions OF
the 4,h Auditor were in accordance with law and the
practice OF the Department. IL there had been no
change in the law. Mr. Kings 'anhori,y for making
such advances and payments would have heen sufi-
Gent and his answer complete But Mr.. King know :
and
date IF this note from the 3h AudfOr, Congress pass
ed an act prohibiting such payments and advances al
togethe'i Read the following extract of "4n act con.
cernIng the disbursement Of public money" passed on
the 3lst January 1928
CSC. l. BE IL enacted, &c. That, from and afte.
the passing OF this act, 0dDdnce of public money
shat be made in any case tDhGerer butin all OF
contracts for the performance OF any descriptions for
the use of the United States, payments shall not er.
coed the pGIue IF The service rendered. or Of the arfi
cies delivered PREVIOUSLY TO SUCH PAYMENTS
SC
The second section requires every Agent residing
in the United States TO render his account tch The
uou'hers necessary to the correct and prompt settle.
ment thereof, within three months after the ration
oil each successive quarter" sc.
This act was supposed to have put end 10 all ad-
vances by Agents, aud payments on account. All or
ders or rrgulations of the Navy Department and
Fourth Auditors Office, previously given which were
Inconsistent with this act, Instantly became null and
as prescribed by Col Fr;e@;ai% in az gse0Ha
in the summaries OF Mr.. King, any other Agent,
since 1928, Mr.. King well knows. Yet, he has the
assurance to rake up this obsolete regulation superse-
ded. abandoned, and utterly disregarded by him,
seD for sir years, his authority to make advances
and payments account, in 1928. and 1929 This he
sets above the positive la,o Of the land, calls it per-
feet authority for his statements and practice and
exultingIy says his answer this point is absOluey
complete ~
We ehall be ready in few days TO expose come Of
Mr.. Kings advances specifically, in which it will he
that he had committed peril ps hundreds of often
ces for which removal ia peremptOridliy commanded
by laL0. U. S, Tel.