The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-12

Although ! differ entirely from the gentleman from
New York tMr Csmbreleng as 10 his arpumen. upon
responsibility, entirely agree with him as 10 the pro-
priey Of printing the documents proposed by the mo-
ton we are now considering. They will afford most
important information to tho people, and they demand
II at the present time. IL will show them what has
been done, and what has been left undone in the APP
pontment OF fit TO take care Of the Treasury
II will show how they have been treated by the Exc
cutye, and what care has been taken Of the public
money.
Il may and trust WILL attract the attention OF the
Government and people, and be the means OF SAVING
part at least OF what otherwise might be lost oil what
yc remains, and Of that which may hereafter come INTO
.he Treasury, confess, said Mr. r., ! have heard
no injections OF the gentleman from Michigan INT.
oisIyD with surprise. He objects on account OF the
expense o. printing The expense at most can be but
snaii, sno u must be illjudged economy TO refuse
lew dollars expense when we may hope by such means
10 save millions oil the money Of the country from
oeng swept away BY miserable and unprncipled de-
fauers
is objected, by several gentleman, that il one Of
the documents named is published, it will be most
cruel ard unjust TO the memory Of the dead and the
living, nasmuch by the books Of the Treasury some
appear to be defaulters who so in reality The
books Of the Treasury (f not burnt,) must remain,
whether published not and had friend or ances-
tor who appeared 10 be defsuer, and who so
IN reality, should thank the Government for publishing
II, that it might attract attention, that the accounts
might be settled and balanced and justice done to his
memory Nothing is asked to be published but record
ed truth
The publications desired for ourselves and the people
are facts Facts from the Treasury Department itself
Facts which the people should know at this time, SUI
ierng, as they do from the most ruinous and prohgae
defalcatons. Facts which may have most important
bearing upon public opinion and may yet have an IN
fuence upon ourselves. Under such circumstances,
le those alone refuse the publication who fear the effect
OF the light of truth
Mr. LOOMS, Of New York, alluded to the former
publication Of these documents, and thought It an unu-
sua circumstance that documents of former session
should again be printed He well remembered at the
last session, when the document in relation to public
deisuters published have heard many complaints
OF the injustice done 10 ipdviduas-that the House
had called for records from the books Of the Secretary
of the Treasury which did not represent the true state
Of the case The vouchers OF individuals had
been lost there others who, from some inormaii-
ty appeared deauters when in fact, they were not
These good reasons then, why the document
should not have been published and If good at that
time, with how much more force would they apply now!
The House had no right to do injustice to individuals
1t morally wrong, and he was not to be driven 10 90
injustice by being told that ne Stunned the light that
he dare publish such and such things III gentlemen
wanted information let them call for the true state OF
facts existing. Why did not gentlemen ask Tor
the present exhibit from the Department Why pub
lsh information in this erroneous condition! II was
wrong IN principle, and he, for one, would not con-
sent to It, 1t was giving the world for truth, that
which was not the truth II might do well for gentle
men to avail themselves OF II in their stump speeches or
electioncerng handbils, but it would not do here.
If gentlemen wanted true information let them call
for It,
He moved to amend the motion Of the gentleman
from Virginia, (Mr Wise) by striking therefrom SO
much as related to documents /" Nos Ill and 1877"
Mr., c. H. WILLIAMS, Of Tennessee, rose and
said 1t is not my intention, Mr. Speaker, to address
the House. My object is simply to make motion
Before do so, sir, wish to state for the information
Of the gentleman from New York, (Mr. Csmbreleng)
that William M Price, the associate and companion IN
guilt Of Mr. Swartwout, is an acknowledged Loco Fo-
co and the Of the gentlemans election at Tam
many Hail. Mr. Price made, as am informed, an able
speech in favor of the "Independent" Sub-Treasury
scheme He succeeded to the entire satisfaction OF the
party, in proving that it would work in practice inn
niteiy better than banks This information is given as
set.of against the gentlemans fears that the Wings
might perchance be supposed to be defending friend
in the person of Samuel Swartwout, and for the add
tiona purpose Of relieving the gentemans mind from
the unpeasantness that must necessarily accompany
such an unfounded belief move, sir, the Previous
Question.
But Mr. W. withdrew the demand on the request Of
Mr. GARLAND, of Va, and on the pledge OF that
gentleman to renew 1t.
Mr. GARLAND said he should vote for the pubica-
ton OF these documents. He had originally called Tor
them and to show the gentleman from Michigan (Mr
Crary) that he (Mr CD was unwilling to do injustice
to any individual he held in his hand resolution which
he proposed to offer as an amendment and by which
the Secretary Of the Treasury called upon to fur
nish list only Of those whose accounts had been
adjusted but also list Of defaulers to the LIST OF
October His proposition was in the following words
Resoped, That the Secretary Of the Treasury report
TO this House. LIST. What defalcations by collectors
and receivers or other repositories of the public mo-
new have taken place since the LIST day Of October 1887,
the names of the defauers when and where they took
place and what amount ID. What amount has been
paid, or what balances appearing due from defaulters,
in the report Of the l7h of January last, have been
adjusted and reduced.
Mr.. WISE accepted the above a modification
OF his motion, which he agaia further modified by
adding
And that he be requested to report to this House all
the correspondence touching dealcations Of receivers
and collectors of public money since the Department
furnished Doc. No. 297.
And the question being on the amendment Of Mr.
LOOMS
Mr., GARLAND resumed. He would not 60 into an
argument, he under pledge to renew the demand
for the Previous Question He certainly believed, as
the gentleman from Michigan Mr Crazy had stated,
that in some instances balances ddappear against pub
lie agents who not guilty 1t was rght ana pro-
per that corrections in such cases should DO made
When they were made they would accompany the
present, documents they were sent out to the coun-
try and then the country would know the whole system
from head to foot not only under the operation of the
act Of 1889 but Of all the laws which had been subse
quently passed He desired that this information should
90 to the country whether it illustrated the value OF
the Sub-Treasury scheme whether il illustrated the
contrary He wanted the information to 60 to the peo-
pie in the shape in which presented at the Tfea-
sury Department exhibiting the facts, and leaving the
people to draw their differences 1t was cues.
ton Of vital interest to them. 1t was now proposed
change the system OF finance as It had stood rom
bn,r Tba pr
present scheme was be illustrated by that best OF all
tests experience II these facts should go to shows
The gentleman from New York MIR. Cambreieng) had
stated tina, the credit system false, let SO appear
If rhe contrary let il appear and lot the people alaw
.hne ,rnh should 90 10 the country, that might re