The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-13
THE WAY THE PEOPLES TREASURE
was PILFERED.


WAS PILFERED.
We have frequently shown how Receivers
Of the Public Money were continued in Office
long after they had violated the laws and regu-
lations, and after the Treasury Department
had the most ample evidence to show that they
had appropriated the public money to their
own use One Of these cases was that Of w.
P. HARRIS, Receiver at Columbus, Miss
On former occasion we gave the proof from
the letters Of the Treasury Department to
him, that there we're constant complaints of ir-
regularities and wilfll neglect OF duty from
the 18th of January, 1884, to the 2sth of Au-
gust. 1885, when he was informed that his
negects had been reported to the President,
and that unless all the returns, &c. which were
in arrear, were received before the 10th Of Oc-
tober ensuing, he would then be dismissed
from office.
The report of the investigating committee
contains some new and curious information
connected with these defalcations, in that of
the letters to the Treasury Department, from
delauiteIS anu otucis, WHICH were Cdllcu 10TH.
Among them is the following:
COLUMBUS, September l5 1885.
DEAR SIN: Many of the early and constant friends
Of the administration in this State have heard with
much regret and sorrow, that the present receiverof
public moneys at this place is to consider himself
dismissed unless his returns made before the first
of October"
l have long had the honor Of an intimate acauaint-
ance with General Harris, and can freely assure
your excelency that more honorable man does not
live, unblemished In all the relations Of life and
standing high in the estimation of the public. He
has served here for many years in the most respon
sible and digni6ed stations, and no man enjoys in
this State more difiused and deserved popularity
am very well informed as TO the management of
the office reside in the district, and know that he
Is the most ndefatgabe business man in the State.
Since ne received the appointment, he has been alb
sent but once, and then only for few days. Day
and night he is there The people speak of this
everywhere He has constantly had three, and now
Jour- clerks at work, who, in my own knowledge,
have been engaged from sunrise until ten at night
and he cannot obtain them for less than fifty dollars
per month His receipts must have been between
twelve and fourteen hundred thousand dollars and
the labor for the ensuing six months will be arduous
in the extreme kHoio thar the receiver suffered
under great Inconvenience for two three months,
being without abstracts, which were not obtained
from Washington until he had written three or four
times, and even then were much delayed by the ex-
traordinary failure of the mails. From my know
ledge Of the business of the Office, do not think it
possible that the receiver can accomplish his returns
by the first of October, though every exeron will
be made, and has been made to keep up with the bu
siness. have known the receiver and his clerks to
be at work. time after time, until after o'clock at
night; and the strongest testimonials from the best
and most influential friends of your excellency can
be had as to his integrity and industry General Har
ms mas never engaged In speculation, either directly
or indirectly
Poindex!er employed a vile unprincipled agent
IuaNt, tab
under resolution OF the Senate; and he endeavored
10 implicate General Harris and George w. Martin
IN some transaction OF very minor importance. Ii
had been examined, could have explained the
whole matter to the entire exoneration of General
Harris; and could have explained the whole trans
action, as it regards Colonel Martin to the satisac-
ton OF the world. The fact u.s. it was miserable
attempt, on the part of Poindexter To strengthen his
party here. He hates Colonel Martin with the ma
Lightly of demon; and nothing would rejoice him
more than the expulsion Of General Harris whom
ne knows to be one of the main pillars Of the demo-
cratic cause and one of the earliest and most distn-
gpished friends OF the administration in Mississippi
Ills family and connexions are extremely influential
and all OF them are operating with us in the ar
duous struggle which we are now making They
are true democrats; and the bank, MULTIPLYING, and
White parties would shout "yictorvn AT aanv hIow
aimed at them
we are now in the midst Of an eectioneering
campaign Governor Runnels, r. Walker Major
Is W Edwards, and myself, constitute the democra-
T W. van buren ticket Il will be close contest
ne nashville papers circulate extensively through
our state Much OF our population is from Tennes-
see nlne.len'hs of our newspapers are for White;
Gnu every bank in the State, including the United
Sa p3ahch, has taken commission in his service
Soe hFee or four thousand of our voters are recent
eStan'S from other States and reside in the new
ments eS showing nothing of our political arrange
,henn and as we have no mails circulating among
'"1 WI the result as 10 them is doubtful
with high respect remain vour eYce,lencv,s.
most obedent servant, 'o'' eAoe'e".S
IT, JOHN F. Fl. CLAIBORNE.
10 Ills Excelency the PRESIDENT :
of the United States
lh's and other letters led to the following: