Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-03-15


n the executive branch OF the Government,
Who is in immediate charge of and control
over public moneys that equal nea1fy ifco
thWds Of he ,choie amount collected from
customs I'm aiffhc United States. win be
more specially detailed in a subsequent por-
lion Of this report.
The Committee will remark here, that,
in the onset Of the investigation they have
made, they supposed il both proper and
safe to the place themselves somewhat con-
fidingly under the guidance of The several
reports which had been made to the House
upon the subject Of Mr. Swarwouis deaI
cations, by the Treasury officers, previous
10 the appointment Of the Committee-co
bining. in this view. reports from the Sec
rotary of the Treasury, the First Comptrcl-
Ter. the Solicitor. and First Auditor Of the
Treasury. MS exhibited in House document
ID. II, however. very soon became evident
TINT those reports were no, to beimplyiiy re-
lied on as auxilinries 10 finding out either
the law or the facts ofthe case and that. on
The contrury. they furnished but an oblique
view Of both the causes and duration OF Mr..
Swartwouts deElcations, as also of the
law and many material facts which dcvelope
the true character OF those defalcations
OF necessity. therefore. these reports. al
thoogh emnnating from the highest orders OF
Official func,ionarics employed 10 the collect
ion and disbursement OF the public revenues,
became the srhjrcts of as cautious and crit.
col examination as any other portions oievi.
oence which the case presented. and as such
u will be obligatory upon the Committee 10
treat them in his report
In reviewing the details OF their labors, so
that the progress and results ofthem may be
presented in the simplest form, the Commit.
tee propose TO consider
PART |. The defalca,ions Of Mr. Swar-
PART III. The defalcations of Mr. Price
PART. Ill The correctness OF the re-
turns which have been made by the present
collector and naval officer Of the port o.
New-York respectively
PARrIV The defalca,ions among re
ceivers of,he public money
PART v. The facts connected with the
foregoing defalcaiions. and deemed materia
10 develope their true character.
Each OF the divisions thus proposed will
properly involve the law appenaining 10 il
as the appropriate adjunc, Of its facts. Ant
ms the language olthe law itself will in each
instance be cited in detail. that its auihorit,
aud injunction may be correctly understood
by every one. so the language Of The individ
nal testimony relied on in each instance vii
li.h neither 10 uncertain construction O
doubtful Inference. The increased fidelil,
OF their report in the estimation Of the Com
miuee. will be, BY this mode, an ample of
set to its consequent enlargement
Before proceeding TO the generaliopics o
this report. as already laid down, il may b,
proper here to express The deep sense oil dis
appointment and regret which the Commit
tee feel. in not being able to communicate /,
the House one documen, that was called 70
at an early day, regarded as having an i'm
porlant and interesting influence upon III
judgment which the House might form OF
the subject OF deiacations among public off
GERS. and the cause which have led 10 ihei
multiplication. 1t will be perceived iron
the following letter, that the Commute
: awaited itself oflhe earlies, period after lhei
organization to make call upon the Pres
dent TO furnish list of The deialcalons tia
have taken place, among collectors. recei,
ers. and disbursing officers OF public money
, and other public officers, since the 4th {
March, 1920. showing the amount Of eacl
&c.
. More than four weeks have now elapse
since tina, call was made upon the Presiden
and the only Information which The Cor
miuee has obtained 10 report upon to th
House, is contained in the following lettei
The distinguishing feature oiwhich informs
ton is, that sill more time than even III
whole remainder OF the session will be r,
auisite to answer the call From this th
!, Committee are compelled reluctantly to il
Isl. That the accounts and records {
the several Departments, in general, are $
incomplete aud defective as not to exhibi
without great labor and delay. the true rels
: lions OF collectors, receivers, and disburser
y Of the public money. and Of other officers {
the Government as to Distinguish debIor
+ from defaulters, and creditors from both.
2dly. That the number Of defaulters hav
! multiplied so rapidly since 1920, under tn
: system OF accountability. pursued toward
: collectors receivers, and disbursers Of ID
: public money. and other officers, as 10 pre-
: clude the practcability Of receiving an az
! count current OF their deialcaiions with a
:, the clerical force at the command of thos
! Departments. under existing laws and apprs
Z priations, "a. So ..s ss
II either inference be just. land none ott
|. er OF equal weight seems TO be fairly ded.
:. chile from the leiierofthe Secretary Of III
!. Treasury,)il manifestsa laxiiy OF admins