Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-12-13

events and, in the full conviction that time
and experience must still further demonstrate
their propriely, | feel it my duty, with re-
spectiul Difference to the conflicting views
OF others, again 10 invite your attention to
them.
With the exception of limited sums de-
posted in the few banks still employed un-
der the act Of 1886 the amounts received for
duties, aud, with very lnconsidcrablc eXcep.
tions, those accruing from lands also, have,
since the general suspension OF specie pay
ments by the doposne banks, been kept
and Cisbursed by the treasurer under his
general legal powers, subject TO the superln-
tendance Of the Secretary Of the Treasury.
The propriety OF defining more specifically,
and Of regulating by law, the exercise OF this
wide scope OF executive discretion, has been
already submitted to Congress.
A change in the office of collector of one
Of our principal parts, has brought to light
deialcation Of The gra,cst character, the par
ticuars Of which will be laid before you IN
special report from the Secretary OF the
Treasury. BY his report and The occompa-
nying documents, it will be seen that the
weekly returns OF the deiaultng officer mp
parenlly exhibited, throughout, faithful nd-
lnlns,raton of the affairs entrusted to his
management. IL, however, now appears that
he commenced abstracting the public mon
eys shortly after his appointment, and con-
tlnued TO do so, progressively increasing the
amount, for the term Of more than seven
years, embracing portion of the period
during which the public moneys were de-
posted in the Bank OF the United States, the
whole of that of the State bank deposite
tira.
ment from Office, after that system had sub.
stanlialy failed, IN consequence Of the sus-
pension Of specie payments.
The way IN which tins dcfaca,ion was so
long concealed. and the steps taken 10 in
demnly the United States, as far as prac,l.
cable, against loss, will also be presented to
you. The case is one which impcratively
claims the attention OF Congress, and fur
nishes the strongest motive for the establish
mcnt Of more severe and secure system
for the safe Keeping and disbursement Of the
public moneys than any that has heretofore
existed.
II seems proper at oil events, that by an
early enactment, similar 10 that OF other
countries, the application of public money
by an officer OF Government to private uses.
should be made felony, and visited with
severe and ignomlnlous punishment. TINS
is already, in effect, the law in respect TO the
mint, aud has been productive OF the most
salutary results. Whatever system is adop-
ted, snch an enactment would be wise os an
independent measure, since much ot the
public moneys must in their collection and
ultimate disbursement, pass twice through
the hands Of public officers, IN whatever
manner they are lntermcdatcly kept.
The Government, 1t must be admitted, has
been from its CONNIE nee ment comparatively
fortunate in this respect. But the appoint
ing power cannot always be well advised IN
its selections, and the experience ot every
country has shown that public officers are
not at all times proof against temptation. IL
is duty, therefore, which the Government
owes, as well to the interests committed to
its care as to the officers themselves, 10 pro.
vide every guard against transgrcSsions OF
this character, that Is consistent with reason
aud humanity. Congress cannot be too
Jealous of the conducl of those who are en-
trusted with the public money, and shall at
all times be dispose ed to encourage watch
iul discharge OF tins duty. # more direct
co-opcra,ion OH the part Of Congress, IN the
supervision of the conduct Of the officers
intrusted with the custody and application o
the public money is deemed desirable, II
will give Inc pleasure to assist IN the cslab
llshment Of any judlclons and constitutions
plan by which that object mny be accomplish
ed. You will, in your wisdom, determine
upon the proprlcty of adopting such plan
and upon the measure necessary 10 Ms efec'
,uai execution. When The late Bank OF the
United States was incorporated, ard made
the depository of the public moneys, right
was reserved to Congress to inspect, at us
pleasure. by a committee Of that body, The
books and Tie proceedings of the bank.
In one OF tic States whose banking insii-
tutlons are supposed 10 rank amongst the
first in point of stability, they are subjected
10 constant examination by commissioners
appointed for that purpose, and much ot The
success of its banking system Is attributed
! 10 this watchiul supervision. The same
course has also, In view at It's btncGcIa
operation been adopted by an adjoining State
lavorably known for the care u has always
bestowed upon whatever relates 10 us imam
clui concerns. | submit To your ns,dcratlon
whether a committee of Congress might not
be prof ably employed IN inspecting, at such
intervals as might be- deemed proper, the
affairs aud accounts Of oiiccls intrustcd with
the custody Of the public moneys. The ire
quent performance OF this duty might be
made obligatory on the committee III tesp' ct
To those officers who have large Sums III Their
possession, and left discretionary III respect
/ TO others. They might report To the Exeeu'
tive such dctacatlons as were found to eAlsl
with n view To n prompt removal from The
Office unless the default was sa,sioctor.
accounted for aud report, also, to CorgrcsS
at the commencement of each session, th'
result of their examinations and proceed
iInCs.
/ II does appear TO me that, with suhj"ctlor
of this class Of public officers to the genera
supervision Of the Executive, to examination
by committee oi Congress nt periods q
which they should have no previous notice
and TO prosecution and punishment for felon,
for every breach of trust, the safe Keeping
nr the public moneys, under the system pr"
posed might be placed on surer foundation
than II has ever occo2lcd since the estaoilsh
mcnt OF the Government.
The Secretary OF the Treasury viii lF,
bciore YOU additional intorm,tlon containing
n ~ details on this Interesting subject IL
th, S. ask your early attention. That !
should have given rise To great diversity o
opinion canno, be IA subject of surprise. -
Aiter the collection and custody of the pnb'i
moneys had been for 50 many years connect
I'd with, and made subsidiary to, The advance
n,ut OF IrIvatp interests ~ return 10 ihe simi'l
,,I .olT ,Irrvtnu ordinances of the cOustitu