The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-09
opposition to the deci.Ion. Of the Auditor Thu. the

opposition to the ieclsions Of the Auditor Thus the
rights Of the citizen are vigorously maintained.
a. BY requiring the Comptroller, after having heard
both paties decide according principles Of equi
y and established usages, justice be done to both
parties, and decisions be based upon ground not
readily conroverted, aGording good cause for dis
content
The theory, as above exposed, is certainly good
and the practice if consistent with IT, should be good
! also.
But IL is a common observation Of many years, that
there is no branch of Executive administration which
generates many discontents and much bitterness
Of feeling, as the Accounting branch. Why should
this he the case II law and equity and usage are re-
spected in the adjustment of accounts.
Why is it that, in almost every suit, particular
ly War Department cases) that courts and jures de
eide against the decisions of the Accounting Depart
ment; that the tables of Committees Of Congress lit
orally groan with petitions for redress and the table
Of the Secretaries also If law andeq uity and usage
were regarded could such be the case1 Such results
| however, do exist, and cannot be without cause.
If the be defective organization, law should
be appealed to for the remedy if be defective prac
tice, executive regulation should correct this evil.
The evil has been supposed 70 be in the laws, and
projects have been before Congress for creating a
court Of claims But the jurisdiction Of such court
cannot 60 beyond law equity and usage ltcoud not
have more power. Such power is already possessed
by the Accounting Department, and such power is
adequate to the satisfactory adjustment Of all claims
Adequate power is then already possessed.
Nevertheless, the evil spoken of exists; this power
then adequate to its redress is not exercised the
mass Of business is beyond its action II the latter
the remedy in increase Of laboring force if the
former, in Executive direction, requiring the proper
power to be exercised
And if the for ner the practice will show it let
| then, see v hat that practice is.
First, the Auditor examines the accounts, rigorous
| ly and rgidly he is in duty bound to do. II
charges or vouchers objected to- he reports these
to the Comptroller. So far good But what does
the Comptroller Does he call upon the claimant
to assign against the objections of,he Audtorl
Does he inform him of those objections Does he
decide upon the according principles ofequity,
and the usages of the Department. No! He simply
approves of all the Auditor has done and the first
knowledge which claimant has Of objections by the
4 Auditor is also with confirmation by the Comptro-
ler Now look at the condition of the claimant1 He
To whom shall he appeal for redressl To the Comp
troer says the law but the Comptroller has already
preudged the case, and without hearing, and there
by destroyed the impartial character Of his action
To Congress Look at the claims already before that
body, and ask, with what hope3 To Secretary
why should he be called upon to exercise accounting
duties Z
We thus see the Of this extensive and in
creasing Of dissatisfaction.
Having ascertained the cause, propose a
medy--not in any new legislation, but in requiring
existing laws to be executed intended and in pro-
per spirit This last is completely within the limit Of
Executive power.
| Let, then
Ist The Auditor be directed to report his list Of ba
lances and disaowances usual to the Comptroller,
and in all Of disallowances objections to
claims, or charges to accompany his report with his
reasons stated detail.
ID. The Comptroller to transmit this list of disal
lowances with the Auditors reasons to the claimant,
agent, party interested, and to require him. by a
given day, to furnish reply,
Sd. The reply being received, the Comptroller to
consider the same with the Auditors reason, and to
decide thereon.
4th. To require the Auditors to dust all accounts
received in their offices as soon practicable, and
Within at arthest, the next quarter after the same
have been received. And in accounts are not
adusfed in that me to report all such cases to the
Comptroller with Of delay, which report shall
be submitted by the Comptroller to the head Of the
Department under which the expenditures have been
made, by whom they will be submitted to the Presi-
dent
Existing laws are adequate, in our judgment,
to sustain such regulations. One of the pecu-
liarities of the above is, that they exhibit some
) respect to the rights of the numerous class Of
citizens who have accounts to settle, and who,
both by regulation and custom, are too general
ly treated as having no rights, and in conse-
quence too frequently made desperate and reck-
+ less. An agent should not be treated as if it
were favor to attend TO his accounts, nor be ex-
posed to losses from neglect of this attention.
Those whose duty it is, should be made to at
tend to them, or to give satisfactory reason
for the neglect Let agents once be made to
believe that they will be heard before condemn
ed that their accounts will be attended to with
out unnecessary delay; that they will be treated
as citizens having some rights and some claims
to responsibility, and present theme If extern
, sive and bitter discontents will be changed to
one oftranquity and general satisfaction.
Mr.. GRANGER.
We give the ex-Postmaster General the be-