The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-08-10

probably not discovered any new traits
Of honesty In his character or policy
since the last Presidential election, or
il they have, the news has not been
made public"
The following is an extract from the Report
Of the Committee appointed 10 investigate the
conduct Of r. &. Graves and other public officers
which We copy from the last MississiPpian.
II win be seen ti4t the portion Of the report,
which we copy, 10 in relation 10 the rccOmmon>
dation ofthe Governor to the Legislature 10 re-
quire the payment second time from tho Gen.
eral Government, Of the amount, which has al
ready been paid into the hands OfGravcs
| We are pleased TO perceive that the committee
Of the House have refused to sanction this UNI
principIed recommendation Of the Governors,
and have given such general statement Of his
Honor's connection with this transaction a. to
shew plainly what they thought of his quibblinR
defense. which he took the occasion of publsh>
| ing in his official message.
Since the discovery of the deialca.
ton of Graves, a correspondence has
taken place between the Governor and
the Secretary Of the Treasury Of the
United States. The Governo.. contends
that the amount Of the two per cent.
fund, except the sum of ten thousand
dollars, was illegally drawn from the
United States Treasury by Graves,
and that the payment thereof, by
the Eecretary Of the United States,
was made "not only without the
authority Of this State, but in de
rect violation Of the will Of this State,
and therefore in his own wrong
and at the risk Of the u. States" ANY
one who will examine the history Of
this matter, will be convinced that the
Secretpry Of the Treasury acted in
good faith in this matter and that it is
now too late to take the ground that
the Governor assumes; and to call up
on the United States TO sustain the
loss which results from the thefts of
our absconding Treasurer. On the
I'd ofApril, 1912, the Secretary ofthe
Treasury, by letter requested the Gov
ernor TO inform him who was the pro-
per person, authorized by the Legis-
lature Of the State OF Mississippi, "to
receive the amount that may be paid |
on account ofthe three per cent. fund"
This enquiry was caused by the appli- |
cation which had been previously |
made by the State Treasurer fer
that fund. il is true, that the enquiry |
extended only TO the three per cent.
fund ; but the answer Of the Governor
not only covers the question, but goes
far beyond In reply, the Governor
says, "That Richard S. Graves, ESQ.
Treasurer Of the State Of Mississippi
is duly authorized TO receive all mon
ey due to the State OF Mississippi, as
well from the three per cent. fund, as
from all Other sOuYces;" and ''that
It was formerly the duty OF the
Governor to receive this fund, but
BY subsequent legislation, the duty
devolves upon the State Treasurer"
Language more broad could scarcely,
and lift does not cover the case Of the
reception of the two per cent. fund, we
nay safely say, thar language better
calculated 10 lead the Secretary Of
Treasury into error could not have
'eeR employed. Our statute declares, I
hat It shall be the duty Of the State I
Treasurer ''to receive and keep the A
moneys of the State.-(Howard g. I
auIchenson's highest, page H73.)- >
With this statute and broad construc- =
ion given to il by the Governor, the I
State Treasurer presents himself be- 7
ole the Secretary Of the Treasury. 7
lie produces his commission, under A
be seal Of the State proves his identiA A
r. and demands his TWO per cent. l
1Ld. What further evidence Of his
over would have been acquired by
ny one but q quibbling Secretary {! "
The Governor admits that he then be- &c
eyed, and now believes, that his ~
liter truly stated tAthe general legal -
over of the Treasurer" which was
receive all moneys due 10 the State
That his reply ''gave no power or 81
Nen1A4ky ~ AuC Otato 4ICdSurGFg uOE va
as itso intended - but ''siimply sta
d the law" This is doubtless true,
nt hts letter was intended as an en- -
nee Of power and authority, and as
lch only was il desired. The law !.
Iys that the Treasurer shall receive .
e moneys of the State The Gov
nor officially announces, that the
treasurer i authorized 10 receive "all y
oneys due the State, which IS Che any
ne u meaning and effect with lhe
nguage Of tho law moneys Of Che m
'ass s. and L would have been more
libbling on tho part Of the Secretary ifn
haxo told our Treasurer hes lls Z. Z
thorify wns insufficlen hAl ihs
Iter Of the Gpeefnof only embraced
oneys 'sKIeH aNs ~ wife Nv N'e N
81 Of The letter. ne|l NIGH
VIZ Informed fhn NnH t8I Ner t1 WW