The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-03-06
RHODE-IsLAND REPUBLICAN, MARCH @. 1889.

city in complaining to Congress of their
gross injustice in examining witnesses 81
crimina,e him, and then refusing him the
opportunity Of cross-exaninaiion and oi
showing the degree of credibiliiy To which
the unfnvorable statements were entitled.
One chapter of the '' conclusions" is, there
fore, principally devoted to Mr.. Hoyf. In
looking over this chapter, we find it assert
ed by the committee that Mr.. Hoyt did not
allow them access TO examine kis bank ac-
counts, in order to ascertain the amount of
money deposited in the banks to his credit
This is fully shown to be untrue by Mr..
Hoyt's memorial The committee refused
To consider Mr.. HOyl's application TO put
certain interrogatories to one OF the witaes-
ses, until he should answer the questions to
which he had at first declined TO reply
whether he WAS willing that the Committee
should examine the accounts of his depos-
ties in the banks. Mr.. Hoyt answered
that he was willing, and then the commit
tee Immediately broke off the investigation,
without either giving him an opportunity
of putting his interrogatories, or examining
they had been So anxious TO see.
| II this be a fair sample Of the conclu-
sions Of the committee, which is quite like
ly; if they are sll AS admirably supported
by the sacts Of the case as this, their re-
port deserves to rank in the scale of authen-
licity aud credibility along with the History
of the Miracles of Appolonius Tyaneus.
| The minority of the Committee present
ed report drawing quite different conclu-
sions from the same testimony. We re-
gret that we are not furnished with copy
of it that we might lay it before our rea-
ders at the same time with the report of
the majority. The following notice of it Is
given by the Washington correspondent. Of
the Journsl of Commerce.
both reports, taken together, show that
the management of the Custom Hous busi-
ness has been very loose, and that = new
system must he established, in order to Sc
cure the public money. The minority re-
port says that, under the present system,
the security Of the public money depends
wholly upon the fidelity Of the collector,
there bein. no check upon him. The mi
nority consider that the investigation has
been productive of much good, by dlsclo-
sing the defects Of the present system, and
that the defalcatisns, disgraceful as they
are to the country, will lead ts a new sys-
ten which will be of permanent advantage.
1t is stated that the defalcations would
not have occurred without the knowledge,
connivance; and assistance, Of the Cashier
and Assistant Cashier, and several other
officers of the customs. These officers sta
ted, on oath, before Committee, that they
were aware Of the distractions, but that, as
they were employed by Mr.. Swartwout,
and liable to be dismissed by him, they
considered their duty to him MS paramount,
To their obligations to the government and
the county; and that il was not incumbent
upon them to give my information as n
the course of their patron. Mr. Swar
wout's denomination was before com mit'
tee Of the Senate. Some Custom hoass
officers we're examined before the Commit.
tee with a view to ascertain whether he
had not used public money. On that Occa.
sion, u Mr.. ShulIze, though aware of the
distractions, concealed and suppressed them,
aud he informed the investigating Commit
tee that he did this from motives Of interest.
This same Mr.. Shultze is represented ss
declaring that the Secretary of the Treas
ury must have known or would have dis
covered the defalcation by an examination
of the returns of fines and forfeitures. The
minority report combats this assertion, md
yindicates hIr. Woodbury. from NIL shadow
of blame in the matter.
The minority recommend that the CASH
ier and sundry other officers of the customs
be hereafter appointed by the President,
with the advice and consent Of the Senate !;
and various other alterations Of the existing
SYSTEM"