Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-12-15


indispensable that they should be conducted by officers
not only ofexperience but o. high rank, whose authority
would be respected. These observations are made
here, in the hope that, reconsideration OF The
sui ject, il will be deemed most exPcd'en 10 leave tins
Fart OF The means of fulfilling The duties and meeting
The responsibilities Of tie Department. as II was esaa
shed in leHl. wien the army was reduced, and as 1t
has continued since that time.
1t appears fran statements furnished this Depart
ment by the Second and Third Auditors, that the
number of unsettled accounts in their office has been
raby diminished since the last annual report
In the Second Auditors Office there are which
were presented in lS49, that OF these presented in
lSl ~, and Of those presented in 1912, SIS remain
unsettled making S72 in the whole, and showing
reduction of 300 The last annual report In the
Third Auditors Office there remain unsettled, of the
accounts presented in lci0 24 Of those presented IN
1871, 49, and Of these presented in leI2, e4O, max
ing 1i79, and exhibiting reduction of the number
stated in the last annual report Of 03o. Although de
clded Improvement thus shown, vet the number not
disposed Of is altogether too large. Some OF them
are known 10 be delayed fer The want of explanation
of deficient vouchers; but by far the greatest pro
portion have not been examined. Nothing can De
mare unjust to the faithful officers who have rendered
their accounts, than the omission to settle tacm until
the persons who could supply deficient vouchers are
dead, removed TO unknown places, or until the
means OF explanation lost forgotten. 1t is
cruelty most runous in its results which is believed
not TO exist in any other country. And its effects
are very injurious to the Government. For it often
happens that il is found necessary 10 charge another
officer with which has been paid or advanced
to hinl by the one whose account is settled During
The delay that in ascertaning the fact Of such
liability, the person TO bs charged becomes nvclvent,
or dies, or no trace Of him lie found ! would
respectfully ard Nest earnestly urge increase
of the force of the Second and Third Auditors offices,
al leas, temporarily until the existing of accounts
be disposed Of very large proportion Of The intor
nation called for by Congress is necessarily derived
from these Auditors, and the time and labor required 10
furnish il, are distracted from the regular duties CT the
Office. And this, doubtless is the principal cause OF
their ordinary business being in They should,
a!so be relieved from the charge Of what called pro-
perly accounts, which, in truth belong 10 Inc admins
,ratve departments rather than The accounting officers
The accounls Of the discussing agents in The Indian
Department in condition that de6es cny power
G! The executive officers 10 bring them 10 close
Payments have been made to alarge amount out Of one
fund for objects legally authorized, but which il was
not by law applicable; and the agents remain charged
with such payments, although they have rendered
vouchers for the expenditures Many accounts in
other branches Of the service understood be in
smil.T condition. law authorizing transfers Of APP
preparations, similar 10 that passed c 9th January,
1881, 10 meet similar difficulties, which will not draw