The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-01-22
Congressional.

. January 9th, 1889.
The debate in the House of Representatives
OH the motion for raising select committee on
defacations, was resumed today.
! Mr. Bono spoke with great force and spirit, in
favor OF appointing the committee by ballot -
end then argued at some length that the Adj
ministration was justly responsible for the detail
cations that had occurred and ought to he
| brought TO its proper accountability without
delay. Iaar
| He reminded the House that General Jackson
in his inaugural speech said that it would de-
volve on him to " manage the revenue of the
country and that IL was searching operation"
both "delcute and important" high among his
"offical duties, and would demand no incon-
siderable share of his attention. In the dis
charge of his duty, he promised "to select men
whose diligence and talents would insure in
their respective stations, able and faithful coop
eration-depending for the advancement Of the
public service, more OH the integrity and zeal
of the public officers, than OH their numbers
| Immediately after this declaration, said Mr.
Bond) lie appointed Samuel Swartwout to the
office of Collector Of .New York. Who was
Samuel Swartwout He HAD BEEN AN &C
TIVE AGENT IN BuRR's CONSPIRACY. Although
the ne,o senate, called, usual by the Erecutire,
had been IN session, this appointment NOT
| made until AFTER THE ADJoURNMENT-Gnd he
,Oas continued IN office a FULL YEAR before the
Senate had an opportunity Of acting on the mona
nation.
The nomination was confirmed, and in 1884
he was re-appointed by General Jackson, and
held the office until March 1888, when his term
expired. ..l..a
Allappeured well, so far any official dis.
closure was made, until in The late annual mes
sage, the President declared that ga change n,
the office Of Collector of principal ports
has brought TO light defalcation of the gravest
character, the particulars of which will be laid
before you in Special Report of the Secretary
of the Treasury" The report has been made,
| Il dot, a.
mount of A MILLION AND QUARTER of dollars.
And from the same report it appears that the
peculation was begun few months after the
first appointment and CONTINUED from year to
year, throughout the nine years he held the Of
fee, and almost entirely before the suspension
| of specie payments
| How was the neglect 20 discover this default
explained Principally by the allegation that
the present law was deficient in providing for
| an occasional examination of the books and ac-
counts of the Collector. This idea is expressed
10y the President in his message, and repeated
by the Secretary, well as the SOLICITOR, the
Lap Officer of the Treasury And the Presi-
dent and Secretary gravely recommend TO Con-
gress to provide by legislative enactment, for
such examinations in future
How will the conrtry be astonished when the
fact is declared that existing laws give the pow
er that is sought. The great act regulating the
Customs, passed in l799 expressly provides that
the Collector and Naval Officer SHALL at all
to the inspection of such persons as may be APP
pointed for that purpose. Yet no such examna-
ton has been made !
Enormous sums known to be in the
hands of Swartwout for years-yeI Eno Search
ing operation" was entered on.
Mr. Bond maintained that the Naval Officer at
New York had grossly neglected his duty in
not examining the accounts of the Collector
Fl he had done this faithfully as the law requir-
ed, the defalcation could not have occurred
IL.
and the first Auditor of the Treasury, it is re-
remarkable, differ on this point. The Secretary
says the Naval Officer omitted it, because the
Department; by circular in 1921, dispensed
with the requirement OF this Act. Is that true?
Not at all ! Mr. Bond produced the Circular
i; was read-and irsteed of dispensing with, ex-
presly requires its performance .
The Auditor says that the Naval Officer did
examine and grant the needful certificates of
correctness-but that they are proved to be
FALSE! b..
Now who was this Naval Officer? EFT.
Governor of New York;
strong personal friend of Mr. Van Buren,, and
who, having by design or neglect sanctioned all
these frauds, W as last spring sent Charge
d'Affairs to Naples! Instead Of being disgrac-
ed, as he should have been, he was rewarded
with higher office, and with it received tho
sum of $4,000 for salary and outfit!
The President ami Secretary say these frauds
took place during the time the Deposite Bank
system was IN OperatioIl, ana me WnOle party
re echo the allegation as if it were really
an apology! A1at.ear saT
VIVA, has the Deposite Bank System to do
with it /? The complaint is not that he depos- "a
tied, but that he did not deposite the money in
Bank 'I''-
The Secretary condemns the old Deposite Act
of Congress, on the ground that it had made
the Government great mony lender In refer
ence to this, Mr. Bond read the Circular of Mr.
fancy, when Secretary Of the Treasury, at the
time he engaged the State Banks to receive tie
public deposites 1t is dated "Sept. Goth, 1888"
and contains this passage. I" The deposites of
the public money will enable you to effect in
creased facilities to commerce and to extend
your accommodations to individuals. And as
the duties which are payable to Government a
rise from the business end enterprise of the
merchants engaged in foreign trade, il is but
reasonable that they should be preferred in the