The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-05
SPEECH OF MIR. PRENrIss.
OF MISSISSIPPI

A
SPEECH OF MR.. PRENTISs,
OF MISSISSIPPI
On the defalcations of the overnment-delvered
IN The House of Representatives December %,
1888.
The House being in Committee Of the Whole upon
,he PRESIDENTS Message, Mr.. PREETIss spoke as fol-
But TO our task. The next defauller whom shall
mention was Boyd the successor OF Harris, g fol-
lower in the footsteps" In liule better than six
months after he had been in Office we find the fol-
lowing account OF his fidelity. II Is extracted from
me report OF one " M. Garesche, who was sent OUT
the Secretary TO examine the condition Of the land
9inces, II Is dated l4th June, 1887 In relation TO
Boyd, he says:
out, and transmit herewith presents against him ba
lance OF $55,965 81. His own account makes it $685.
2T2 ~ II is also annexed His assets of which
also send you the list, amount So $40 o. rating
tho land at III 20 only but might probably realize dou-
bic the amount. The man seems really penitent and
am inclined to think, in common with his friends. that
nc Is honest and has been led away from his duty By The
example 81 ms predecessor, and certain Looscness in
mo code Of morality, rAeh here does not ope in so
limited circle as does NTH al home Another re-
ceiver would probably follow in the footsteps OF the
two You will not, therefore, be surprised II recon-
mend has beng retained in preference to another APP
PotntrneM; Jor nc has his hands full nolr and ,oi MOI
be disposed 70 speculate any more He will have his
bond signed oy the same surecs, and forwarded in
few days to Washington; this speaks favorably He
has, moreover pledged his word that retained he will
strictly obey the law, and nothing but specie in
payment for lands He tells me that he is about selling
great portion OF his lands that and some other nego-
tlaion VIII enable him 10 discharge largo portion Of
his DEBT 70 he United States before the expiration Of the
present quarter Lenity towards him. therefore, might
stimulate him TO exerons, which severity might per
parayze. have, IN the time. enjoinsd The clos
ing Of The land office until the bond is completed and re-
turned. No land has been sold sinee the 29ih uinmo
Sir, who, but profigate pander, could have writ
ten the above? Who, but political bawd, could
have received il without indignation and contempt2
You TiH not be surprised If | recommend his
being retained for he has his hands fuH mosr."
No; presume the Secretary was not surprised,
though any honest man would have been, al the cor
rupt and wicked proposition.
The licentious familiarity OF this as well as other
Of the reports and letters 10 the Secretary cannot fail
Of arousing in the breast of every pure-minded man.
sentiments Of scorn and disgust.
But says this polypus feeler of Levi Woodbury.,
the man seems really PcRteRt; and am inclined TO
think, in common with his friends, that he Is honest
and has been led away from his duty by the example
OF his predecessor and certain IooseHsss ~ me code
of morality rhich here does mt more ~ SO limited
circle as 10 does riM as at home" Now, sir, more
infamous SANDER was never promulgated against an
intelligent and moral community; for more up
right, intelligent, and moral community cannot be
found In the republic than that which is the subject
of this vile libel Why, sir, do not believe there is
citizen of that community who would not spurn,
with honest and indignant scorn, the profgate SEN
timents Of this selfconstituted censor morum."
No, sir; i was that looseness of political morality
which marks the party in power, which more espe-
ciay illustrates the official conduct OF the Secretary
Of the Treasury, that induced Boyd TO embezzle the
public properly.
And be did il with a vengeance His accounts
~ Iafa1 caf,, N
in money. But il was more splendid robbery than
this: II was of some % 900 acres Of the public do
main, which, by virtue Of his Office he transferred
to himself without even paying for it single dollar
priaions OF other peoples property prefer personal
understanding which can be concealed, and
II necessary, taken across the waters But "there
be land rats as well as water rats" and Boyd, it
seems, was land rat What a huge slice he cut
from the public loaf -z2S 900 acres OF land! Why
it is more than a German principaIity. The Nor
man robber, when he divided out the broad lands of
merry England, gave not to his naughty barons such
wide extent of wood and field Who would not be
the feudaiory of this administration, when the tenure
is so easy and the reward would constitute materials
for a dukedoml /.
Sir, the Secretary deserves impeachment for this
case alone. Why has he not proceeded to set aside
the illegal and false titles to these lands2 The re-
ceiver never had shadow Of right to them. Yet
his pretended title has been recognised and portions
of the land are now being sold by the officers Of the
Government as the property Of the delinquent.
Afler this extensive land piracy what does the
Secretary do7 Does he, with vrtuous indignation,
turn him out Of Office? No, sir. He permits him
to resign at his leisure. Two months after Cares
che's report, he writes him as follows:
Treasury Department, August 8, 1887.
Sir: am happy TO hear Of the frank and honor
able proposed in your letter of the Oath utmo
Il would Be convenient 10 have the bond and resgna.
ton arrive here by the early part of September
LEVI WOODBURY.,
Secretary of the Treasury.
Receiver of Public Money, Columbus, Miss.
Yes, sir; according to the morality Of the Secre-
tary, resigning, after robbng the Government of
10000 or 20 900 acres Of land. is very frank and
honorabtc"
will give you one case more, and then am done
II is the case Of Linn, receiver OF public money at
Vanadlia.
him, admonishing him of his neglect in depositing
the public money, and warning him Of the indispen-
sable duty Of doing so.
On the Goth of October, 1884, Mr.. Woodbury.
writes him on the same subject; calls to his mind his
continued neglect and violation of this duty, and
tells him that If he fails any longer in its perform
ance +" 1t will be my painful duty 10 submit the case
for the action Of the Executive, and to recommend
the appointment Of another person as your success
sorn
Again, under date of 4th of December the Secre-
tary renews the complaint OF neglect in the deposile
and noncompliance with the positive directions of
the Department
Instead, however Of being removed for this con-
tinued contumacy, Linn receives the following let
ter from the Secretary:
Treasury Department, Feb. IL, 1886.
Sir; Although il has pleased the President, under
the explanations given, notwithstanding your past
neglect in some cases to depose the public moneys
as required by law and the instructions Of the De-
partment, to renominate you for the office OF re-
atU lin and WI
nation has been confirmed yet it is not to be inferred,
from this evidence of his regard, that any future
omission in this respect can be overlooked. Once
for all then, l would inform you that strict obser-
vance of the regulations of the Department ior inc
prieodica deposite Of the public money, and The
,r,n.,.s;o, ,r ,,opr accounts and returns para