Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-12-12
NUMBER AZ.


the Treasury. The proprcty of defining
more specifically, and Of regulating by
| law, The exercise Of this wide scope Of Ex-
ecu,ive discretion, has been already sub.
mi,,el to Congress.
! A change in the Office OF collector al
one OF our principal ports, has brought TO
| light deialcation OF the gravest cnarac-
4 ter, the particulars of which will be laid
before you in a special report by the Sec
Rotary OF the Treasury. By his report
and the accompanying documents, il will
be seen that the weekly returns Of the de-
faulting officer apparently exhibited thro'-
out, d faithful administration ofihe affairs
entrusted 10 his management. II, how
ever, now appears that be commenced alb
s,rac,ing the public moneys shortly after
his appointment, and continued to do 80.
progressively increasing tho amount, for
the term oi more than seven years, en-
| bracmg portion Of the period during
which the public moneys were deposited
in the Bank OF the United States, tho whole
of that OF the Stasc Bank Deposiic system.
and concluding only on his retirement
from office after that system had substan.
TALLY failed, in consequence Of the suspen-
sion Of specie payments.
The way in which this deialca,ion WINS
so long concealed, and the steps taken 70
indemnify the u. States as far as practical
BILE, agains, loss, will also be presented to
you. The case is one which mperatlvcly
claims the attention of Congress, and fur
nishcs the strongest motive for tho cstab-
hshment Off more severe and secure sys-
tenn for the safe keeping and disbursement
Of the public moneys than any that hss
heretofore existed.
/, seems proper, at all events, that, by
an early enactment, similar 20 that OF 9TH
er countries, the application Of the public
money BY an officer of Government, 10
private uses should be made felony,
and visited with severe and ignominious
punishment. This is already, in effect,
the law 10 respect to the mint, and has
been productive ofthe most salutary re-
suits. Whatever system is adopted, such
an enactment, would be wise as an indie
pendent measure, since much Of the pub
lie monies must, in their collection and ul-
innate disbursement, pass twice through
the hands Of public officers, in whatever
manner they are intermediately kept
The Government, il must be admitted, has
been from ls commencement comparative
" fortunate in this respect. But the APP
pointing power cannot always 10 well d-
vissd in its selections, and the experiences
Of every country has shown that pubic o.
iicers are not all times proof against temp
,ation. II is duty, therefore, which the
~ Will to hfs
committed to its care, as TO the ON
GERS themselves, to provide every guard
against transgressons OF this character
that is consistent with reason and humans
ty. Congress cannot be too jealous Of the
conduct Of those who are entrusted with
the public money and shall at all tlmes
DO disposed TO encourage watchful DIS.
charge efthis duy. liza more direct co.
operation on ihe part Of Congress, IN the
supervision Of the conduct Of the officers
entrusted with the custody and application
Of the public money, is deemed desirable,
il VIII give me pleasure 10 assist IN the cs-
Enlistment Of any judicious and constiiu-
tional plan by which TINT object may be
accomplished. You will, in your wisdom,
determine upon the propriety OF adopting
such a plan and upon the measure neccs-
sary to its enractusl execution. When tho
late Bank of the United States was incor-
porated, and made the depository OF tho
public moneys, Il right was reserved 10
Congress 10 inspect, at its pleasure, by
committee Of that body, the books and The
proceedings oftbe bank.
In one Of the States whose banking ~
slitutions are supposed 10 rank among
the frs, in point Of stability, they arc
subjected 10 constant examination ny
commissioners appointed for that purpose
md much ofthe success Of its banking
system IS attributed TO this watcbiui SUI
peryision. The sume course has also, IN
view OF It's beneficial operation, been a.
dopted by an adjoining State iavorabIy
known for the care it has always be-
slowed upon whatever relates to It's finan-
ciul concerns. | submit TO your consid-
Grafton whether a committee OF Congress
might not be proftably employed ~ m
specting at such intervals as might DO
deemed proper, the affairs and accounts
Of officers entrusted with the custody OF
the public moneys. The frequent per-
formance OF this duty might be made
oLligotary on HE committee IN respect
10 those officers who have large sums IN
their possession and left discretionary In
respect 10 others. They might report
70 the Executive such detalcations as were
found 10 exist, with view to prompt
removal from Office unless the default
was satisfactorily accounted Tor ana re-
port, also, 10 Congress, at the commence
ment Of each session, the result o. their
examinations and proceedings. II does