Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-06-19
"A STERN FACE"

Amos Kendall, in his address to the public
says that "the administrator sets its face stcrnly
against the plunderers of the public money!
This unblushing declaration, the Albany Daily
Advertiser meets and answers by a publication
of the official documents in the case of Harris.
We were about to hunt up these documents for
the purpose of illustrating another case. But
the article in question is so much to the point,
we copy it entire, and invite the readers special
attention. We doubt whether the history of the
political world, taken from beginning to end,
presents another case of government corruption,
so open, so ~palpable, so fagrant, so shameless,
as this case of VIM. p. Harris. This man was
appointed a receiver of public moneys in Mis-
sissippi, and as his situation gave him the best
possible means Of specializing in public lands,
he Immediately began to apply the funds in his
hands to that object. The government hne,
that he was plundering the public money, and
yet he was continued in Office. Occasionally,
to be sure, he was cautioned not to steal any
more, and requested to pay over; but, forsooth,
Z" his friends were influential, all supporters Of
the administration'-an important election was
pending and the opposition would regard the
dismissal of a public defaulter as a victory )
and for these reasons, he was still allowed to
plumber the public money more than a year after
he was known to be a delaulter, and then allow.
cd to resign, and nominate his successor. Boyd
who succeeded to the office, held it a few months
and stole .Niy.Gre MouSand douarS! The GOV.
eminent sent on an agent to investigate the
matter, who reported the facts substantially a,
we have stated them, but wound up his repor
with the disgraceful recommendation that Boyt
be continued in office for the singular reason
that "another mouH probably foAow in his foo,
and that, inasmuch as he already had hi
lull, he had no temptation to steal more
yaresche's letter. Boyd was, and is, 70
hit we know, continued in office to the pres
cnt time, and the extent Of his defalcation wi.
never be known, while the present administra
ton has power to conceal it. A late number {
, the Louisville Journal gives the following as tn
2 finale of the Harris affair
The lands of VIM p. Harris, of Mississippi a defau
ter to the amount of 100000, were lately levied upo
I, They were estimated at $4,000, and sold for $500,
d loss of S35, 1000. \ loco foco friend became the pl
chaser, and of course the lands went back instant
. into Harris possession. The pretended sal. was
mere manGuvr of the administration to enable Il
dcfulter to compromise his debt of &c., 600 for $500.
h Thus it will be seen that after allowing IIa
g rs to plumber the public treasury, and resign
o full possession of all he spoils, his broad land
purchased with the stolen money, after goir
h through the farce of a public sale. again rove
:, to his benefit, and he will now be enabled to rev
like a prince in the enjoyment of his vast pc
- sessions! This is the way the nation has bee
bankrupted. Tomake up for such defalcatio
as this, the government is now issuing treasu
expenses. VIII the people submit to this {!
such a state of things to be endured