Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-03-15

ration OF the time allowed him py law Iot
thai purpose, TO vii, in the early part Of Ju.
", 1888. 3dly. In continuing the same
neglect, and forbearing to issue warrants o.
distress against said Swartwout and his sure.
ties from the 9lst Of August, 1898, when ap-
prized by the letter Of the First Audit
or that said accounts still remained un'
settled until the month OF November,
when the detection OF Swartwout's larger de-
falcation was communicated from New
York
Ain. That the administration Of is mar
ked with such signal inefficiency, as well as
neglect OF duty, as render nugatory many OF
the most important checks upon the First
Auditor, and collectors, receivers and dis
bursers Of the public moneys, which the
laws creating and regulating its duties con-
templaied and have sufficiently provided.
5h. That in said disregard Of law and
neglect OF duty by the said Comptrolers,
and inefficiency OF the Office as now admin
istered is 10 be found primary cause Of the
immense defalca,ions> of the late collector at
the Dol, Of New York, and consequent loss
Of public money.
GAUSS " The discontinuance Of the use
of banks as repositories of the public mon
eyS, duu pcFfulttiuy tuc oauS W oSNuuuiueS
in the hands of Swartwout.
CAUSE VI The negligence and failure Of
the Secretary of the Treasury 10 discharge
his duty, as the head of the Treasury De-
partment, charged by law with the superin-
icndence of the collection of the revenue.
CONCLUSIONS OF THE COMMITTEE.
LIST. That, oflate years, important books
of records. designed TO contain condensed
statement of the accounts and liabilities of
collectors Of customs, weekly, monthly, and
quarterly. have been permitted to fall into
disuse in the Department Of the Secretary Of
the Treasury, and thereby render nugatory
many Of the essential checks upon the defal-
cations Of that class of officers arising from
existing laws and Treasury regulations.
3D.. The negligence and failure of the
Secretary oflhe Treasury to discharge his
duty, as the head of the Treasury Depart
ment, charged by law with the superinten-
dence of the collection of the revenue. and
his want of correct appreciation of the be.
fore named records in the superintend-
ence of the collection of the public revenues.
and the consequent neglect to continue and
complete them. are justly regarded as pri-
mary cause OF the escape from detection for
so long period. ofthe immense defalcations
of tue late collector at the port of New York.
Sd. That the Secretary of the Treasury
has been wanting in a proper discharge Of
his duty in Office, in permitting Samuel
Swartwout. late collector of New York. qui.
city to retain the sum of S20l 900 after be-
ing out Of office, under pretext of indemnify.
ing himself against claims of importers for
duties paid him under protest. and liable by
him to be refunded, while il was known 10
the Secretary ofthe Treasury, within few
weeks thereafter. that said Swartwout was
neglecting to refund such protest money, as
he claimed to do, and that the same were
being refunded, from necessity, out Of other
accruing resources of the Government by
.-=aid Su,aa ,5tn,aYt,s ,successor; 10 nasa,---
4th. That the Secretary OF the Treasury
has been wanting in proper discharge OIL
his duty in Office, in permitting the present
collector at New York to retain under his
own control. and subject to his own use,
commingled with said collectors private
funds, large and accommodating sums of the
public money collected for duties paid under
protest, and against the declared opinion Of
the Attorney General of the United States
on the subject, also against the former usa-
ges Of the Department. and instead of eau.
sing the same 10 be paid into the Treasury
Of the United States.
PART H. THE DEFALCATIONS OF
WILLIAM NJ PRICE.
Conclusions of The Committee.
LIST. That VIM M. Price, as district attor-
ney. is defaulter to the Government in a
large sum.
I'd. That his defalcations are attributable
to the notorious responsibility and want of
character of said Price at the period OF bis
appointment and re-apponimen:. and during
his entire terms Of Office. and to the contnu-
ed neglect of proper and efficient discharge
OF duties at the Office Of Solicitor Of the
Treasury by the late and present incum.
bents OF that office
PART I'LL THE CORRECTNESS OF
THE RETURNS WHICH HAVE
BEEN MADE BY THE PRESENT
COLLECTOR AND NAVAL OFF. |
GER OF THE PORT OF NEW |
YORK, RESPECTIVELY.
Conclusions ofthe Committee.
tThese conclusions are.--I. That the re- |
turns olthe Collector at New York have no,
been correct q That said Collector has
violated his instructions and put to defiance
the duties assigned him. and is guilty. of Il. |
legal retention and use of the public money. |
In the amornt held by him for protest and
unascertained duties. 3d. That the Com.
mittee have been prevented from ascertain
ing the extent ofthe illegal retention and use, |
because OF his refusal TO exhibit his own |