The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-08-05
From the Globe.
THE POSTMASTER AT NEW ORLEANS
AND THE PROTESTEn DRAFTS

! AND THE PROTESTED DRAFTS.
The statement which is going the rounds oi
the Whig press. that the Postmaster General
has drawn on the deputy postmaster at New
Orleans, when there were no funds in his hands
IS, OF course. false. as we learn by inquiry 10
he proper quarter. We say OF course. be-
cause il has been abundanlly shown that the
Wing Editors are wholly incapable Of telling
the truth upon any matter which can, by yer
version, be turned 10 the disadvantage Of the
Administration.
The same spirit. and the same motive. that
prompted the Federafists to rejoice at nation.
al disasters during the last war; and 10 proclaim
them from one end Of the Union 10 the other.
leads the same men now, 10 rejoice At real or
supposed de(alcations and sacrifices of the pub
lie interests. The msfortunes Of the country.
both public and private, constitute their po-
litical capital in trade.
But they can make little capital out of this
New Orleans case. II is true that the post
master thsre has abused the confidence reposed
in him. and suffered the drafts Of the Depart.
msnt 10 be dishonored. with abundant means
in his hands to meet them. The Wings are.
ho~evsr. on false scent, when they attribute
his deialcations to the Independent Treasury
system. Ii is an ordinary case Of default, oe-
curing under the post office system, as it has
/ SNistcu foi us blsN
Instead Of this being a default arising under
the new financial system, II could not possibly
have occurred had that system been in opera
ton. For by the act OF the fourth Of July, es-
tablishng that system, it is made the duty Of
the postmaster at New Orleans. at least once q
week, and oitener il directed by the Postmzs-
ter General, 10 deposte the revenues received
by him, with the Treasurer Of the Mint who
is made the general dePosiiary Of the public
moneys at that point,
And had the act for thu collection, safe
keeping. disbursement, and transfer Of the pub.
lie moneys" been in operation, this faithless
postmaster weuld hardly have dared TO appro.
PIRATE the public funds to his private use, as by
that law. it would have been a conversion and
embszzlemsnt Of the pnblie money in his
hands for saiekeeping. which is declared TO be
afelony, punishable by Imprisonment Of in the peni.
Tertiary. II any new proof were wanted. this
very case Of default show, the urgent necessity
for the law. Even as the case stands. we learn
that the proper officer has been instructed to
inquire whsthsr the postmaster has not subject
ed himselft to the penal provisions Of the act
and il so, TO cause prosecution TO be isstitu-
ted against him for conviction and punishment.
But instead Of ccndsmning The fsithless Off
Ger and the criminal party. the Wing press at
tacks the Postmaster General, aud makes u an
occasion for fresh assault on the new bnanci-
al system. This is Wing justice and Wing
doctrine in regard to public delalestioos: lhe'
spare the guilty, aud attack the Innocent; ihsI
" tender msrcies' are always extended !" the
real defal,ers. whom they regard as their pesu.
liar friends, who can furnish ihe,o With political
capital BY their criminal conduct, and then go
over to the Wings themselves, and are sure TO
be received with favor.
I, ,espsr, 70 the 5eialestien q this case. il is