Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-05-29

the year, In The very words Of the report, :
THE DEPARTMENT WAS INDEBTED, on THE /
lsr or jury, 1888, BEYOND THE AMOUNT 1
OF AVAILABLE FUNDS DUE TO IT, IN THE 1
sum OF sI95, 2OS i0r'
The manner in which the Postmaster |
General endeayoured TO get rid Of the for |
mer balance Of S202, Sll to the credit Of
the last year, by the discovery that it had
been absorbed IN the expenses Of the de-
partment previous TO that time, speaks lit
lie in favor OF that system District accoun-
liability which he announced IN his hrst
report, he had introduced into the depart
ment for the correction oil the "looseness q
responsibility" which had before been
permitted TO exist. II might be sufficient
10 answer, that so gross an error ~ the
statement of an account, with no other ex.
planation than that sit is now ascertained
that the expenses incurred for transporta-
tion which had actually been performed,
prior to the first Of July, 1882 beyond the
amount stated ia that report, were 500,
$50 81" without showing how those ex-
penses had been incurred, sS..syen sug-
costing the manner in which the error was
committed, evinces great ignorance Of the
real condition of the department or want
Of fidelity in the management Of its af
fairs.
For the purpose of the present argu-
ment, however, it is entirely immaterial
whether the balance was exhausted in
1888 or in the preceding years. Comics
sedly il existed when the departmentcame
into his hands Admitting, then the correc-
ton claimed by him in his last report, it
only follows, that between the 30ih of June
1929, and the 30th June, 1882, he had ex-
pended the whole of the surplus balance,
which he received from his predecessor,
besides the vast accruing annual revenues
| of the department; and had created debt
on the last mentioned day, according to
his last account, of SO ,s44 81. which, with
| a still increasing revenue, he had augment
| ed, on the 30ih of June 1888. to SI95, 208
| 10 over and above all the available funds
of the department. 1t is moreover to be
observed, that in his report of the proceed
ing year, he had given pledge, that, if
the ratio Of increase in the nett proceeds
of the hostages should continue as great as
the previous year, it would exceed the a.
dltlo!nal amountrequired for transportation
by more than 800 900, and that, in point
of fact, this ratio of increase was $50 900
more than that OF the former year. Yet
what was the result? the expenditures of
the year exceeded the receipts by about
t,cO hundred thousand dollars Regarding
the date to which the accounts are made
up, the 90th oil June,) it must be obvious
that the amount could not have been great,
ly affected by the establishment OF new
mail routes at the intervening session of
Congress. But even this is not the worst
OF the condition Of the department..
Mr.. Chairman, have no faith in the
accuracy OF the accounts, as they are last
stated, have no belief that the depart.
ment itself knows the extent of its own
Indebtedness, or knowing, dare encounter
the scrutiny which disclosure of the
truth would inevitably produce.
Sir, my word for it, the deficit is not
merely two hundred thousand dolars-it
is now HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS MORE. |
may not be able to show precisely how
much, for we are here without the means
of proof But let this House adopt the
resolution which seeks from the depart
meat information of the subject; grant
but the subpoena; and there will be full &
ample testimony 10 the truth In the want
oil that evidence, which | repeat is with
held, am warranted by representations
quite satisfactory TO my own mind, to as
sumo, that that the department is deeply
'nsotoenf thst it owes at this moment from
eight hundred thousand to million of dol
lars. That 1t is IN debt to banks for moneys
borrowed, at least three hundred and t,oen,
ty:Jlre thousand dollars and for drafts up
on credits for deposits exceeding one hun
bred thousand dollrs-that it has already.
10 some extent, anticipated the revenue
from post offices the current quarter, and
is largely In arrearages to mail contract
ors, upon contracts executed, or continu-
ing, where, by the terms of the contracts.
Tue money mas become payable, to its own
oiscreoit, and the dishonor of the Nation?
Dir, the honest creditor of the Govern.
ment is. denied or delayed his dues. If he
asks for payment he is shown list of Tor
textures and by insisting upon his money
ne comes to understand that he may pro
woke sett oft in fines, or hazard the re-
scinding OF his contract for the non fulfil
ment oil ITS severe and inexorable exactions.
mere is arrangement, disappointment, s.
vexation toroug h all the operations of the
department. 1t has been made the instru.
ment oil political advancement, and its le.
climate purposes are held in subservien.
cy 10 this unwarrantable end. Comnlaints
have been heard, loud and long, from eve.
ry quarter o! the land of its irregularitv &.
Encouragement. II has been devoted fo
personal as well as party objects. Post,
Offices, In too many instances, have been
unnecessarily established and even the
',ol Oh tne mail made devious and sim
uous IN reference to post office anno;nt
ments. Faithful and acceptable postmas.
ters have been removed from office for o
plnlons sake, and Executive sycophants
ana demagogueing partizans rewarded |
With their places,
Great Wing Meeting at Frederick
Md:-The meeting ofthe Wing Voters
OF the I'd election District, opposed to
the recent measures of the Executive