Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-09-07

SI6767 II
So there allowed, during Mr.. Adamss adnninis-
trstion, Tor paying Oft mechanics and labOrsrs, which
Mr. Adams Secretary of The Navy said, OF the
Pursers's regular Duties the object for which
they were placed a, the Yard-"-SIXTEEN THOU
SAND SEVEN HUNDRED SIXTY. SEVEN Dol
LARS, SEVENTY ONE CENTS.
Thus went a round sum Of the peoples money, given
TO MIR. Adams by Congress. TO support Navy.
But all the allowances made in 1927, 1928. and
before Mr.. Wa,kins' removal in 1929, appear under
the name OF Cierkhre How they assume
that name IL not positively certain. In pressing like
claim upon the present An Auditor Purstr Hunt read
20 him letter from MIR Watkins relative to some of the
former allowances, stating that his claim had been sub
mitted 10 the Secretary, who could allow com
missions, because the payment of mechanics and la
borers part Of his regular duties, but had deter
mined 10 allow IL under the Of clerkhre; ard
the clerk who settling his had accordingly
been directed TO pass TO his credit rAder that
Whether Mr.. Watkins stated the truth not, we will
not undertake to say Purser Hunt said there no
doubt Mr.. Southland had sanctioned it, and thou CHIT he
could obtain his stateme ut TO that effect iii would all
him any thing
PuJser Clarke has since pressed similar claim and
produced letter from Mr.. Southland written since he
went out OF office stating, that hedd verbally sanction
the allowance in this paIicular case; but whether as
commission or clerkhre, he did not say.
This renders il probable, that Mr.. Southland sanction
ell all these allowances Certain il IL, IL his evil
dence il 10 be believed, he did sanction it in one case
Notwithstanding his letter of 1926 in which he said, as
LIE not see any PRINCIPLE tchich the diiolCance
can be justified cannot hereafter approve IT,"
To shew thu people how their money is disposed ef
we will mention fact which occurred previous TO Mr..
Adams's election. certain Agent OF the Navy De.
pattment employed in the transportation of stores du-
ring the war, time after its conclusions present
among other accounts, claim oil more than So 900 tor
LOSE on Treasury notes 1t had been repeatedly de cid
ed that the sole power OF remuneratDg for these lo,s
es, rested iD Congress In this case, however was
arranged between IN. Secretary, the 4ib Auditor, and
the party, that the latter should Withdraw one of his
other vouchers aud add to lis several items the amount
OF his los Il easury Notes. III did SOL and il " AZ
passed to his credit From the face of The paper no
one would suspect that six thousand dollar one dol
lar was contained in il for loss Treasury notes; nor
Goes any such allowance appear the books Of the OIL
hce. All IL covered up under foise names.
so have the comuissioDs to Purses, for paying me-
chapics and aborers been covered under the name Of
clerkhre. No Committee OF Congress, or any other
persons, not acquainted with the mysteries Of cor
rupt administrations could ascertain from the book
or papers tor what object the peoples money has bsen
paid in these
Is not this fearful abuse! Is the peoples money
thus he wasted, and their public records and papers
Jdfstd, to conceal the vile corruption with immunity?
Such were the practices under MIR Adams' aduinisfa'
iion but they have been reformed under Gen Jack
sons. Public papers and records now made 10
speak The truth and IL may be ascerajsed exactly,
Tor what everv dollar paid. NodIlowance ha-
been made to Purses for paying meeaanics and labor
ere, under any name.
Let as see how much Of the s'oney granted by Con
gress, Tor The of the MY, during Mr. Adams
administration, we have steady shewn to have been
wasted
Tobias watkins seve.sfrsuds, 81 300
81 n