The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-27
d New Yorl during the whole term of-Mf sw...

Of New York during the whole term Of MI swn.-
won't ~
Answer, was, during The whole term Of his Office.
Ques'ion . Who were the surele- of Mr. Swat
WOO, dunag the FIRST termi | mean during the 6rsi
four years he held the Office Of collector
Answer Csdwslsder ID Golden, Henry Eckford.
slas Burrows. M. NJ. Qusckenbos, Benjamin Bird
sail. and Charles l.. Livingston, were the sureies.
Question 3. State oil YOU know concerning The exc
en,'oo, approval and delivery Of the official bonds Of
Mr. s~artwoni both for his fret, and also, for his
eond term Of office
Answer. The first bond was no, considered as good
ana sufficient security by John Daer Esq. then the
district attorney until Mr. Burrows certified that he
was worth fifty thousand dollars. Il was then sp-
proved, and Mr.. Swsrtwoui entered upon his duiies
The second bond was executed by Charles l.. Living
ston, NJ. NJ Quackeobos, and Benjamin BmdssIl Il
had i've six seals 10 it. but no other person my
knowledge executed it, This bond remained IN trunk
which contained all valuable papers, which daily
deposited 10 the bank after The closing Of the Office
The bond remained unexecuied until towards the close
Of 1886, aud, far as can recoect handed il 10
Mr. Swarwout after or the commencement of
1897
Question 4 Was the last. mentioned bond sent from
the Treasury Department at Washington to New York
to be executed. or was 1t prepared at New York
Answer The last bond transmitted from Wash
nglon TO lie executed.
Question s. When was this bond transmitted from
Washington to New York for executions
Answer Soon after the reappoinluent Of Mr. Swsrt-
wont.
Question 9. State. il you know, why its execution
aud delivery uss delayed so long
Answer The bond remained unexccuted because I
declined asking the gentlemen who afterwards executed
il to become security for Mr.. Swsriwout. Believing
Mr. Swarwout TO he indebted TO the Government re-
fused TO apply 10 those gentlemen but urged upon Mr.
Swstwon To pay up his deficiency by sale Of his pro-
perty. Mr. SNsrwont himself spoke 10 the gentlemen
who became his securities and they applied to me for
the bond to execute An elapse Of six to nine months
occurred between the signing Of the first and the last
person The bond.
Question z. How much did you consider Mr. Swart-
indebted the Government when you declined 10
ask gentlemen to sign the bond as sure,es
Answer. considered Mr.. Swsrtwout indebted to the
Government from thirty to fifty thousand dollars.
Question 8. When was II that YOU declined TO ask
gentlemen to sign the bond for the reason you have
mentioned.
Answer II was 1884, and after that year. that de-
clined asking the gentlemen. l held the bond about
three years before handed il Mr. Swartwout deli
yer to Mr. Price, the United States district attorney.
II was then executed.
No psalion Of such negligence has been seen or Of
fered in any circumstance proof that has come TO the
knowledge Of the committee and indeed, it seems to
be which, from It's nature admits Of no pallia
ton. Ii is, moreover obvious that when MIR. Swart
wous bond finally received, no comparison Of il
instituted with his former one other information
sought respecting it, beyond the certificate Of the dis
Ct,
trlct attorney TO secure the approval OF the Comp
troler. Il not difficult suppose that the Depart
ment felt inclined to compromise with an apparent in.
suciency of the bond rather that excite an inquiry
that would probably lead to exposure Of lis own
culpabe negligence in regard TO it. Had it, however,
been compared with the former bond, it have been
discovered that while the former sir sure,ies were
given, the latter only hall that number had been fur
nished One would suppose that such comparison, in
the exercise Of due diligence would have been insli-
tuted and, If instituted, such falling off Of sureties
would have called for explanation Had explanation
been sought is apparent that the three sureties
tuay furnished would have been found entitled to
the approval Of the bond by the Comptroller the bond
TO the whole reliance of the Government
for indemnity against fahless discharge of duty by
collector through whose hands and under whose control
nearly two thirds Of the whole Of tho Govern
men. must pass. The following additional testimony
from Mr. Ogden warrants the conclusions thus drawn:
Examined By Mr.. Wise.
Question 40. Were the three securities to the last
bond Of Mr.. Swartwout equal in point Of wealth and
responsibility 10 the three who were their coseCurtcs
on his first bond; if not, what was the probable differ
ence!
Answer, The suretics in the last boEd in point Of
wealth and responsibility, bore no comparison to the
FIRST The only person Of actual wealth the last
bond was Mr.. Quackenbos. who estimated. | be-
lieve worth from fifty to seventyfve thousand dollars
Mr.. Birdsall never considered worth over $4,000;
and Mr.. Livingston has nothing. Those on the other
bord were much moro wealthy. Mr. Eckford died
worth nearly half million Of dollars. Mr.. Burrows
qualified upon signing the bond that he was worth
$4,000 Mr.. Golden when he died left but little.
though at the time he executed the bond he est-
mated at over $4,000
There yet another feature Of extraordinary dsrc-
gard OF the requirements Of law and neglect Of duty of
s,i later date the part Of the Comptroller towards
| Mr. Swartwouts accounts.
BY the act Of January 81, 1925 sec 3, it is requr-
ed that every officer agent Of the United States who
prpIya lilo b., al
to retain salary, pay, enoument shall render his
accounts quarteryeay to the proper accounting officers
OF the Treasury, uih vouchers necessary The
and prompt settlement thereof, ,oifhin three months al
least after The expiration of each successive quarter, if
resident within the United States.
BY the act Of March 2, 1899. sec. 81, every cocc-
tor, naval officer &c, who shall refuse render his
accounts for settlement for the Of three months
after they have been required by the proper officer is
| subject to fine. &c.
any collector Of the revenue &c, who shall have
cclved the public money before il has been paid into the
Treasury shall fail TO eEder his pay the
same 10 the manner piha the time required by iaio
shalbe HE dutyof the FIRST Comptroller 10 eausc 10
he stated The of such collector, dc, exhibiting
truly the due TO the United States and certify
tho same to the agent GSoicor Of the Treasury, who
shall issue warrant OF distress against such delinquent
officer and his sure,ies, &c.
ltappears by the certificate Of the Comptroller Tin
committee journaD that the third quarter OF Mr.. Swsrt-
wouts account for 1887 settled the Comp,rolers
office on The 9th Of May, 1888, and balance due from
him Of $40 207, 224 10, as follows:
Bonds not due s7,2i6, aO7 81
Bonds in suit 2l96, 1854 90
Deposite bonds 1881 70
Cash. including sundry items not TO
his credit 73s, 100 81
1927. 224 10
appears that bis fourth quarter for 1887 was adj
lusied at the Treasury the 2Ist June, 1885, and a
balance found due the Government Of SO 67S 9S4 Sc
as follows:
Bonds not due Sc, III, I0l SIS
Deposite bonds 23S64 10
Bonds in suit 2,23l,2 So