The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-02
WHOLE NO. 2O6.

H. IL, however very became evident that those
reports were not 10 be implicitly relied auxia.
ries in finding out either the law the facts OF the
case; and that on the contrary, they furnished bn
an oblique view Of both the causes and duration Of
Mr.. SwaIwout's defalcatons as also OF the law
and many material facts which develop the true
character Of those defalcations OF necessity there.
fore, these reports, although emanating from the
highest orders Of Official functionares employed ia
the collection and disbursement Of the public feVe-
nues, became the subjects of as cautious and critical
| examination as any other portions of evidence
which the case presented, and as such il will be
obligatory upon the Committee 10 treat them In this
! report.
In reviewing the details of their labors, so that
the progress and results Of them may be presented
"a the simplest FORM the Committee propose TO con-
slider
| PaarI The defacations OF Mr.. Swariwout
Par H. The defalcauons Of Mr. Price
PARr I'LL The correctness OF the returns which have
been made by the present collector and naval officer OF
the port Of New York, respectively.
Par Nv. The defalcations among receivers Of the
public money
Parry. The facts connected with the foregoing de-
facations, and deemed material TO develop their true
character
Each Of the divisions thus proposed win properly in
sove the law sppenaining TO il, the appropriate adj
lunet OF ns facts And as the language of the law
itself vii 10 each instance be cited detail that
ihorny and injunction may be correctly understood by
every one 90 the language Of the individual testimony
relied on IN each instance will be adduced that its i'm
port and force may be left neither to uncertain construc
ton or doubtful inference. The increased fidelity Of
their report IN the estimation Of the Committee will be-
by this mode, ample offset to its consequent enlarge
meni.
Before proceeding 10 the general topics OF this report
as a.eady laid down, may be proper here To express
The deep sehse Of disappointment and regret which the
.ommi'ee ee, IN not being able to communicate to the
House one document that called for at an early day.
an INN anta and into ,nH,
ence upon the Judgment which the House might form on
the subject OF dealcations among public officers and
the causes which have led TO their multiplication II will
be perceived from the following letter that the Commit
tee ayacd itself Of the earliest period after their organ
zation 10 make call upon the President 10 furnish
list Of the deacstons that have taken place among col
lectors, receivers and discussing officers Of public mo-
Iey, and other public officers since the 4th Of March,
1929, showing the amount Of each, &c.
More than four weeks have now elapsed since that
call made upon the President and the only infor-
nation which the Committee has obtained to report up
on 10 the House is contained in the following letter the
distinguishing feature Of which information Is that still
more time than even the whole remainder Of the session
will TO requisite 10 the call From this the
Committee are compelled reluctantly to infer either
LIST That the accounts and records Of the several De-
partments, IN general, incomplete and defective
not 70 exhibit, without great labor and delay the true
relations collectors and disbuses Of the pub
lie money, and Of other officers Of the Government as
70 distinguish debtors from dciau,ers and creditors
| from both
2dly That the number of the defaulters have multi
Piled 80 rapidly since 1922 under the system Of
liability pursued towards collectors receivers, and dis
bursers Of the public money, and other officers to
preclude the praeticaby Of receiving account cur
Of their defalcatons with all the clerical force at
the command Of those Departments under existing laws
and appropriations.
II either inference be just land none other Of equal
weight seems TO be fairly deducibe from the letter Of the
i al. 4
minstraon which demands the earliest application of
suitable remedies within tho reach Of Congress and Of
the country. .s
For the papers Nos. and 2 referred to in the sub
joined letter, reference respectfully made to the jour
nal Of the committee, p 40 and onward.
Treasury Department, Feb. Is, 1899.
Sir The President, on the 23d ultimo, referred to
this Department the following resolution passed by the
Investigating Committee:
" Resolved That the President of the United States
be requested this committee to be furnished by
the proper Executive Department with table showing
the defalcatons which have occurred among the collec
tors receivers and dsbursers Of the public money and
other public officers since the 4h day of March, 1929
the names Of the deauers the amount of each deial
cation when each occurred the length Of time
each has existed what steps have been taken by
the proper departments officers to prosecute the de-
faulters and TO the United States in each
aud what deauers retained III the same Offices in
which they became defauters, or have been appointed
TO other Offices"
He accompanied il with reques, that all the infor-
nation desired should be procured early practical
ble and submitted by me 10 the committee, Accord
ngly, on the same day, enclosed copies of to the
other Departments and also the proper bureaus in
the Treasury Department and desired that replies might
be furnished, so far in their power and in
their power, to the several inquiries made. further
requested the bureaus connected with this Department
employ any assistance that could be advantage
ously applied in fastening their answers.
Iwould inform the committee that great progress
has been made respect 10 those parts Of the
connected with the Registers Office and all which
could be made consistent with the difficulty and extent
Of the labor, in the Third Auditors office. But it is
feared that, OF this labor, and the great
mass Of previous calls by committees and by the two
Houses Of Congress, which are also TO be answered,
besides transacng the current business in the different
bureaus the whole details and tho tabular statement
required cannot be completed during the session Eve
nv effort however which, under oil the circumstances,
can be made, is believed to be exeried TO meet the
call at tie earliest day practicable.
In respect to the last branch OF the resolution asking
what defaulters retained in the same offices in
which they became delsutcrs or have been appointed
to other Offices" am able TO present the report Of the
Register from his office, which exhibits such names
are on his books connected with tho State and Treasury
Departments. II 10 annexed and contains no name as
TO this, and but 10 the State Department. That
ono is Commodore d. Porter; and by the correspond
ence annexed il viii be seen that he does not consider
himself deiaulter though he stands charged on the
Registers books for considerable on account Of
prize money, explained in the papers (Nos | and J
LEVI WOODBURY.,
Secretary Of the Treasury,
Hon, JAMES HARLAN.
Chairman n fareshgatiag COMMITTEE.
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