The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-11

35I
Loss per head among collectors Of the customs l3 7sl
Loss per head among collectors of internal re-
Loss per head among receivers Of public lands 7l5
So 731
Making total loss of seven millions OF dollars within
fraction.
And il must be recollected that the above
does not include the losses that have occurred
or been discovered since Mr. Van Buren, came
into power, known to amount to about two and
half millions, and how many millions may be
discovered under some searching operation, by
and by, no one can tell.
An important item 10 be taken into considera-
ton, too, is that the losses prior to 1887, oc-
CURED among agents presumed to have the pub
lie money in their possession but temporarily
whereas the proposition now is that the collect
ing agents shall continue TO keep in their hands
the money till paid to discussing agents. and the
danger must thereby be greatly increased. In
addition to hazards of loss by fraud and VIC
lence, Sub-treasurer must be made Of sterner
stun than most men, If he can resist opportuni-
ties that will always be urged upon men in pos
session OF large sums of money, to advance his
own fortune,or to relieve the distresses ola friend
by the use, for brief time, of small part of the
"
his ability TO replace it whenever il may be
wanted, and this he probably will do for sea
son. But repeated experiments successfully
practised, will beget conference.-the sums so
distracted will become larger and the time
longer and, in the end, nine out of ten Of your
agents will be found, in spite of all barriers you
may erect TO prevent il, TO have used your mo-
ney, and nine out of ten of those who do so use
il, will prove defaulters.
paternal Government duly approaching the
morals of its citizens, should be studiously care
full to put no unnecessary stumbling blocks be-
fore trail humanity, especially when elevated to
positions where pernicious examples may have
so much more influence than in the humble
walks OF life. LEAD us not into temptation" is
one of the best inJunctions Of the best prayer
that falls from human lips.
II has been said in the progress of this debate,
that money, in the hands of Sub-treasurer will
not be so liable to enlightenment as in bank,
because fewer persons will have access to it
The idea thus indicated may be well founded as
q proposition, but am not satisfied il is well
applied The bill provides for ten clerks for the
four Receivers General Does any body sup
pose that a number like this will be found ply Isl
caly competent to transact the business under
their charge2 Bank notes, bank checks, trans
fers of credit, and every thing Of the kind, are
TO be superseded, and coin must be counted
twice at least, and this will be no light labor at
the important offices. How are the three, pos
sbly four clerks, assignabe to the New York
office, TO count one, two, and, perhaps, some
times FIVE hundred thousand dollars in day, in
coins from sixpences up to eagles, in addition to
their other duties T. Apd~ if Justice. he done to
must be force enough at all times to do the
maximum labor of any day. Why, sir, II is alb
surd to suppose that ten clerks, or ten times ten
will be ply scally able to do the work at the four
great offices, if the collections are to be in spe-
Gle and the friends of the bill know it.
But, in the smaller Offices, il is not proposed
to have clerks; and is it expected, Mr.. Char
man, that a receiver at a land office is to mount
guard, every day, in proper person, over the
fifty or one hundred thousand dollars in his Gus
tody; or that he is to sleep every night under
his own roof; or that he is to be specially ex-
empted from the attacks Of disease or of death
itself, because he happens TO hold commission
from the Government to collect, and safely to
keep, its revenues2
How is the comparative safety in other re-
spects? What is the safe and expedient prac
tee for individuals may be such for an aggre-
gate of individuals as POLITICAL community
What do you, Mr. Chairman, with consider
able sum of money, when paid you2 Do you,
sir, carry it about your person, or even lock 1t
up at home, exposed to the thief by day, the
robber BY night, and to the flames that may con-
sumo your house and its contents at any hour
or do you deposte it forthwith in the Bank OF
Virginia? venture to say, sir, you do the last,
or have much mistaken your character for pru-
dence, good judgment, and common sense; all
so frequently exhibited on this floor.
And how stands the question in other and
much higher respects than as to the mere secu-
rity of the public money?
In 1894, when plan, substantially like this,
was introduced by Gen Gordon, Wing mem
Der of this House from the Ancient Dominion,
the Globe, then, as now, the organ of the Adml-
nistration, declared it @ revolutionary and dis
organizing, and subversive Of the practice, OF
the Government, from 80 down." And again
1t is as palpable as the sun that the effect Of the
scheme would be to bring the public treasury much
the actual custody and control of the President
than it is now, and expose ii to be plundered by Q
hundred hands, where cannot now reach II.
And as spoke the great Globe then, so spake
all the little Globes through the country.
What, too, said the venerable editor of the
Richmond Enquirer, always the supporter Of
the ruling party, who opposed the plan in 1884
when presented by a Wing, and in 1897, when
urged by MIR. Van Buren, but who has since
been induced by some magic influence to recon
slider his opinions, and now AYERS his determine
ton to sink or swim with the Administration and
its measures:
We have objected to the Sub-treasury scheme Csc
called that in the first place it will enlarge the Elk
ecutive power, already too great for Republics 2dly
that contributes to endanger the security Of the pub
lie funds and 3dly that it is calculated to produce
currcncies-a baser one for the people, and better
one for the Government The more we reflect upon
the matter the read the speeches of the ora
tors on both sides, the firmly satisfied OF
the strength of these objections"
1T is certainly subject to very strong objections
not the least of which the very great increase of pa
tronare to which it must give rise and patronage
the most dangerous influence, being SO immedatel,
connected with the public money"