The Democratic Whig., 1843-08-10

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the unpurchasable multitudel have
probably not discovered any new traits
Of honesty IN bis character or policy
since the last Presidential election, or
Il they have, the news has not been
made public"
The follswing is an extract from the Report
Of the Committee appointed 10 investigate the
conduct ofR.s Graves and other publio officers
which We copy from tho last MivisaiPpian.
4 win be seen hat the portion Of The report
which We copy. Is in relation 10 the rocOmmen-
daiion ofthe Governor 10 the Legislalurs 10 re-
quire tho payment second time from the Cen
efal Goverhmeni. of tho amount, which has al
ready been paid into the hands ofGruvos.
We arc pleased 10 perceive that the eommlllcs
Of the House have refused to sanction this IN
principled recommendation Of the Governors
and have given such general statement Of hil
Honor's connection with this Transaction as e
shsw plainly what they thought Ofhis quibbling
defense, wSieh be took the occasion Of Publish'
ing in bis 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 Gecretary OF the United States,
was made "not only without the
authority Of this State, but in di-
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
SecrePry Of the Treasury acted in
good faith in this matter and that il 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 theGs of
our absconding Treasurer. On the
Cd ofApTil, 1s42, the Secretary ofthe
Treasury, by letter requested the Gov
ernoT to inform him who was the pro-
per person, authorized by the Legis-
lature Of the State Of Mississippi, ITO
receive the amount that may be paid
on account oflhe threo per cent fund"
This enquiry was caused by the appli-
cation which had been previously
made by the State Treasurer fer
that fund. i is true, that the enquiry
extended only 10 the three per cent.
fund but the answer ofth Governor
not only covers the question, but goes
far beyond; 10 reply, the Governor
says, aThat Richard S. Graves, Esq.
Treasurer Of the State Of Mississippi
is duly authorized 10 receive all mon
ey due to the State OF Mississippi, as
well from the three per cent. fund, as
from all othCr sources" and "that
it was formerly the duty Of the
Governor to receive this fund, but
by subsequent legislation, the duty
devolves upon the Stale Treasurer"
Language more broad could scarcely,
and ifit does not cover the case Of The
reception Of the two per cent. fund we
may safely say, that language better
10 lead the Secretary Of
Treasury into error could not have
been employed. Our statute declares,
that it shall be the duty Of the State
Treasurer ITO receive and keep the
moneys Of the State.-lHoward g.
Hulchenson's highest, page ?73.)-l
With this statute and broad construc-
lion given to IL by tie Governor, the
State Treasurer presents himself be-
fore the Secretary Of the Treasury.
He produces his commission, under
The seal Of the State proves his ideHti-
Is, end demands his two per cent.
fund. What further evidence Of his
power would have been acquired by
any one but a quibbling Secretary 7 |
The Governor admits that he then be-
loved, and now believes, that his
letter truly stated "lhe general legal
power Of the Treasurer" which was
10 receive all moneys due 10 the State
That bis reply "gave no power or
10 the State Treasurer, nor
was it so intended = but "simply sta
led the law" This is doubtless true,
bat bis letter was intended as an cur
dence Of power and authority, and as
such only was It desEed. The law
says that the Treasurer shall receive
he moneys Of the Staie-The Gov
ernor officially announces, that the
Treasurer is authorized to receive call
due the State" which IS The
same in meaning and effect with the
language Of the law "moueys Of the |
State ]" and il would have been more
luibbliBg on the part Of the Secretary,
70 have told our Treasurer that bis
authority was insuficient-lhaI the
etIsr Of The Governor only embraced /
"fhen due" to wit; al ihe
aste Of the letter. As well might be /
aavo sncor-.-l sk, r--.o,ts.r tEef fha /