Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-12-14
WOE. XII--No. 500

on his retirement from office, after that
system had substantially failed, in consc.
qncnce of the suspension of specie pay.
mcnt.
The way IN which this dofalcation was
SO long concealed, and the steps taken to
indemnify the United States, as far as
practicable. against loss, will also be pre-.
scented to you. The case is one which
imperi'ivcly claims the attention of Con.
grcls, and turni.hes the strongest motive
Tor the establishment of more severe
aud secure system for the safe keeping 6,
disbursement, Of the public moneys than
at! 'i'at has heretofore existed.
II 'rG'"" r-"r"". - II ovan,s that hy
all early enaclmcnt.s similar 10 that OF otll-
or countries, the application of public
money by an officer Of tho Government
to private uses, should be made felony,
and visited with a severe and ignominious
punishment. This is already, in effect,
the law IN respect to the mint, and has
been productive of the most salutary re-
suits. Whatever system is adopted, such
an enactment would he wise as an indies
pendent measure, since much Of The pub.
nc moneys must III their collection and
ultimate dIsburSCneui.pass twice through
the hauGs Of public officers, in whatever
manner they are intermediately kept. The
Government, it must be admitted, has
been from lis commencement compare
lively fortunate in this respect. But the
sppOlitln. power cannot always be well
advised in il selections, aud the expert
encc Of every country has showr that pub.
lie officers are not al times proc! against
temptation. |, is : duty therefore. which
the government owes, as well 10 the inter.
ests committed to its care us to the otfi.
GERS themselves, 10 provide every guard
against transgressions of this character
that is consistent with reason and human
ity. Congress cannot be too jealous of
the conduct of those who are entrusted
with the public money and | shall at
all times be disposed to encourage a
walchiu discharge of this duty. If
, more direct co operation on the part Of
} Congress, in The supervision of the con-
duct Of the officers entrusted with the
custody and application of the public
money is deemed desirable, it will give
me pleasure to assist in the establishment
"'; az" eoi'S.''u''o"u' pia"
U! "n'o" '' !,, oDJec' may De accomplish
GU Io' "''' !" your "'soon'' oe'ef'i''"s
! "Po" we PfoP'ie'y OF adoP'lhg s'ch
It such plan, and upon the meas re- ne
ceSS"'y 70 us e'iec,uai eAecu.lon' "heh
."o '"'0 '""" u '"e E''leu S'a'es was
- incorporated, and made the depository
u VIC 'u''o moneys Il l'sht was reserV-
, (" u Oo"4ieSs 70 i',pec,'a Il, It's pressure
!, D! 'o"'h'i''ce OF 'lnl '"oy' the BOOKS
u a"u ''o P'ocS eu'''ss u '"e oahN'
:, III one o. '"o states, whose banking
q institutions are suhoosen 10 rank amongst
We 'i'S. III P"''' ol s''o''i'y' ."c! are SUP
IS J'c'eG 10 constant examination ny com
l. 'Aiss,ohers appointed Tor mat purpose'and
niue" "i 'he success ol us banking system
T. IS a'''Ou'e" To Iris wa'chiui SUPERVISOR
G. ~ sllne course mas also 10 view OF u'
IL bcneAc''i oper"uon' been adopted
he a"Join Hg state laVorahiy known e -
N. care II IS always bestowed Hpon what
IN ever re -,3s 10 lie financial concerns
We submit 10 your consideration whether
nd committee Cl Noii9itss th'gnt not O'
&c. proli'ably employed IN Inspecting at sucl
cir intervals as might be deemed proper IN
CT all MS ana accounts OF officers ehtruste
of Win lAe CUSTODY OF INC pubic moneys
to ne frequent performance OF tins out
might be mace obi'ga'ofy Of the commit
10. tee IN respect 70 those oihcers who hav
,cd large sums III 'he'f poSsession' and lett dlt
~ ~ n Ith hpu mi