Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-12-13
others. again to invite your attention to

posted in the few banks still employed un-
der the act Of 1886, tue amounts received
for duties, and, with very inconsiderab!o ex-
ceptions, those accruing from lands also.
have, since the general suspensions of specie
=. payments by the deposiie banks, been kept
and disbursed 10y the Treasurer, under his
general legal powers, subject 10 the superiu-
te ndenCe OF the Secretary of the Treasury.
The propriety OF defining moie specifically.
aud OF regulating by law, tie exercise of
this wide scope OF Executive discretion, has
been already submitted to Congress
A change in The Office o1coIleCtor al ore
otour principal ports. has Brought to l,eh,
n defaicatIon OF the gravest character, the
particulars OF which will be laid be fore YOU
IN special report from the Secretary OF Tho
Treasury. BY his report and the accompa-
,nying documents, il will be seen that the
weekly returns of the deiuuI,ng officer APP
parentIy exhibited, throug hout, faithful
administration OF the affairs intrusted TO his
management. IL, however, now appears
that he commenced absiraCtng the public
moneys shortly after his appointment and
continued 10 do so, progressively increasing
the amount, Tor the term Of more than seven
years, embracing portion OF Ike yeriod iu-
ring which the public moneys were depos-
tied in the Bank of the United States, the
whole Of that of the State bank deposiie sys-
tenn, aud concluding only Gu his retirement
from Office after thai sy stem had SUBSTANTIAL
iy failed, in consequence Of the suspension II
specie pay ments.
The way in which this dedication was so
long concealed, and The steps taken to in.
demniiy the United States, as far rs practical
nle against loss, w i'll also he presented 10 YOU
The case is onewhich inlpcraivel, claims tho
attention oiCong ress, "a nj furnishes The strong.
Col motive for the establishment OF a more Sc
we're aud secure systems Tor the safe keeping
and dishui SEINE nj OF the public moneys than
any that has heretofore EXISTED.
Ii seems proper, al all cyents, that, by an
early enactment, similar 10 that Of other
counties, the application of public money
by an officer Of Government, 10 private uses,
should be made felony, and visited ith
severe and ignomiuious punishment. This
is already, in effect, the law in respect 10 the
mint, aud has been productive OF the most
salutary results. " whatever sy stem is atop-
ted, such an enactment would be " Use as an
independent measure, since much OF The pub
Inc moneys must, ia their collection and ulti.
male disbursement, pass ice through the
/ hands Of public officers. in whatever manner
they are Internationally kept. The Governs
/ meni, IL must be admitted. has been from,
! us commencement comparatively fortunate
/ IN inns respect. But the appointing power
cannot always he well advised in its selec-
lions, and The experience oi 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 10 lis care
as 10 The officers themselves, 10 provide eve
ry guard against lransgresSiuns Of this
Character, That Is Consistent with reason aud
humanity. Congress cdnno, be TOO Jealous
"i The conduct Of those mho are inigusted
with the public money and shall al all
Times be disposed 10 encourage watChiul
discharge OF This duly Ii d moie diiect CO.
h., rf. i'm o
ieivis!on oil the conduct OF ihe officers in
trusted with The custody and application of
the public n.oney is deemed esiiabie, 1T will
give me pleasure 10 assist in the establish
mei'i OF any judicious and constitutional plan
T.; which that object may be accomplished.
on " ii! III your ist0G, determine upon
the PFopriety Of adopting such plan and up
on The measure necessary to lis efeCtua ex.
ecuiion. w hen The !aIe Bank oil the United
States was incorporated, and made The dc.
posi'Ury OF The public money!, right va,
reserved to Congress 10 inspect, a; lis pleas
uTe, 10y committee Of that body, the books
aud The proceedings Of the bank. Ia one Of
the States whose banking institutions s-e
supposed 10 rank among lie FIRST in point OF
STABILITY, they are subjected 10 constant ex-
animation 10y commissioners appointed fos
that purpuse, aid much VI The success of its
banking system is attributed TO this atchful
supervision. The same course has also. m
view ni It's beneficial. operate been ado.,,
Led by ah adjoining State, favorabiy known
iUr The care it has always bestowed upon
"halefcr relates 10 liz financial concerns.
submit TO your consideration whether corr
mli!ee q! Congress might not he trofiiabiy
employed IN inspecting, al such intervals 80
might be deemed proper, The affairs and ac.
counts oi officers inirusteG :; lib Tie custo-
dy Of The public moneys The frequent per-
!ormanCe OF this duty mig IA, lie made obiig>
glory on the committee 10 respect 30 those Of
fleets who have large sums in their uosseeI
s!cn, and lett discretionary in respect to oth-
ers. hey might report 60 the Executive
such GeaiCaiIvnS were found 10 exist,
"lIh view To prompt removal from. Office
unless i.-H default "as eaiistoctUrily accovn-
/ led lot; and report, also, 10 Congress, al the
commencement oil each session, The result. Of
! their examinations aud proceedings Ii
does appear 10 me that, with IL SUI lection OF
I tins class OF public officers 10 the general SUI
/ pen isicn o! The Execulive, 10 examinations
! 10y committee vi Congress al pcfiods OF
which ihey should have no p!eyi0us notice.
ADD to prosecution and punishment as Tor TEL
I ony ior every breach OjiiUsi, The safe keep
I ing OF the public moneys, uader the system
( proposed, !njghi be placed . surur ioun-
daiivD than II has ever occupied since tbe cs.
+ tdbii>bmcni Of the Government.
I'he Secretary Of The Iteasury viii! Law
before you ad'lilions Information coDisiuico
new details on this interesting SUBJECT. 70
these ! ask your eaily attention. That IL