Western courier. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1837-09-14

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the future--fell short Of FIVE thousand, or
an average Of less than one daily for each
State; in the city of New York, they did
not average more than two day, and at
the city Of Washington ouly four.
The difficulties heretofore existing are,
moreover, daily iessened by an increase
il the cheapness and facility Of commu-
nication; and it may be asserted with
confidence, that the necessary transfers,
as well as the safe-keeping and dsbu,se-
ments Of the public moneys, can be
with safety and convenience accomplished
through The agencies Of Treasury officers
This opinion has been, in some degree,
confirmed by actual experience since the
discontinuance of the banks as fiscal
agents. in May last; period which,
from the embarrassments in commercial
intercourse, preseH.ed obstacles as great
as any that may be hereafter apprehend>
ed.
The manner of keeping tie public
money since that period, is fully stated in
the report of the Secretary of the Treas.
ury. That Officer also suggests the pro-
-priety Of assigning. by law, certain addi-
tional duties 10 existing establishments
and officers, which, the notifications and
safeguards referred to by him, will, he
thinks, enable the Department to contin-
ue to perform this branch of the public
service, without any material addition
either to their number or to the present
expense. The extent of the business to
be transacted has already been stated |;
and IN respect to the amount of money
with which The officers employed would
be entrusted at any one time it appears
that, assuming balance Of FIVE millions
to be at all times kept in the Treasury,
and the whole OF it left in the hands Of
the collectors. and receivers. the proper.
ton of each would not exceed an average
of thirty thousand dollars; but that, de
ducting one million for the use Of the
mint, and assuming the remaining four
millions 10 be in the hands Of one half Of
the present number Of officers--a suppo-
sition deemed more likely to correspond
with the fact-the sum in the hands Of
each would still be less than the amount
of most of the bonds now taken from the
receivers of public money. Every ap"
prehcnsion, however, on the subject, Ell
lhcr in respect to the safety of the money,
or the faithful discharge of these fiscal
transactions. may, it appears to me, be
efiectuaIly removed by adding 10 the pros
ent means of the Treasury the establish
ment by law, at a few important points,
of offices for the deposite and disburse-
mont of such portions of the public reve-
nue. as cannot, with obvious safety and
convenience, be left in possession of the
collecting officers until paid over by them
to the public creditors. Neither the
amounts retained in their hands, nor
those deposited in the Offices, would, in
an ordinary condition of the revenue, be
larger in most cases than those often un-
der the control of disbursng officers of
the Army and Navy, and might be made
entirely safe, by requiring such securities,
and exercising such controlling supervis-
ion, us Congress may by law prescribe.
The principal officers whose appointments
would become necessary under this plan,
taking the largest number suggested by
the Secretary of the Treasury, would not
exceed ten; nor the additional expenses,
at tho same estimate, sixty thousand dol.
lars year.
There can be no doubt Of the obligation
of those who are entrusted with the af-
fairs of Government, to conduct them
with as little cost to tho nation as is con,
sisient with the public interest; and it is
for Congress, and ultimately for the peo-
pie, 10 decide whether the benefits to be
derived from keeping our fiscal concerns
apart, and sovering the connection which
has hitherto existed between the Govern
mont and banks, offer sufficient advanta.
ges to justify the necessary expenses. If
the object to be accomplished is deemed
important 10 the welfare of the country,
| cannot allow myself to believe that tho
addition to the public expenditure, of com
paratively so small an amount as will be
necessary to effect it, will be objected to
" 'ho PSSP'S'
1t will be seen by the report Of the
Postmaster General, herewith commune
catod, that the fiscal affairs Of that De-
partment have been successfully conduct
cd since May last upon the principle Of
dealing only in the legal currency of the
United States, and that it needs no legis-
lation to maintain its credit, and facilitate
the management Of its concerns; the OK.
isting laws being, in the opinion Of that
officer, ample for those objects.
Difficulties will! doubtless be encounter
ed for season, and increased services
required from the public functionaries;
such are usually incident to tho COM
mencemcnt of every system, bu, they will
be greatly lessened in the progress of its
operations.
The power and influence supposed to
be connected with tho custody and dis
burement Of the public money, are top
les on which the public mind is naturally,
and, with great propriety, peculiarly sem