The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-17

EXPLANATION OF THE THIRD AUDITOR, RELATIVE
TO DELAYS IN THE SETTLEMENT OF CLAIMS.
TREASURY DEPtRrMKSr


TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
THIRD AUDITORS OFFICE, June IL, 1851 !
Sir-You were pleased to send me days since a
letter from Mr. s Reavis Of Georgia complaining Of
delays in this office in the settlement OF claims and
grscioutly promising me indulge on his part for one
/ month.
take this occasion respectfully to call your attention
to the condition of affairs in this bureau.
When was appointed to its duties in October 1Sf9
found heavy arresrage Of business, arising principally
from the Mexican The abors Of the Office had been
increased by that war in a tenfold proportion MY
venerable predecessor peter Hagner of whose capacity
and inaexibe honesty days experience affords
fresh proof literally overwhelmed When he asked
for aid from Congress II only partially granted to
him In 1916 and 1916 eight OF his most experienced
clerks were removed and new men appointed who had
to serve species Of apprenticeship before they could be
useful.
1t was but the year before his retirement from the
Office that be asked for further assistance and
when took charge Of the bureau. found unsettled
nearly three thousand large accounts OF quartermasers
commssares. engineers pension agents sc And under
acts alone-that Of June lS4S and that of March
8 lSi9-there presented and renewed nearly ten
thousand claims for for raising volunteers for
the Mexican and for horses and other property lost
Need refer you, sir. by way of example to court
docket Of this agnitude. attempt give idea Of
the time would uire chancellor with thirty
six commissioners to decide such number Of cases
1t true the accomplished clerks in charge Of each
branch OF business report TO the law anu the
facts bearing upon each claim, but give to each AMI
every report careful and special personal examiuston
before signing it, have had addition of twelve
clerks upon accounts and have made reasonable aud
satisfactory progress therein.
reference claims there have been reports de-
csions within the last year covering more than one
thousand pages Of large folio books Yet notwhsand
ing steady and perseyerins efforts to dispose Of them
il difficult TO lessen the docket for adverse
report there Is effort through nbers Of Congress
and attorneys to have examination upon tcsti
mony upon argument as 20 thu law and fact No
thing but payment will satisfy claimants their attor
ncys; aud that Ia many cases for there fire.
quent attempts mad procure payment second time
s Of the claims of thirty six years standing,
originating in the with Grea. Britain. and consc-
qucnty requiring very careful examination Never per-
huvG awxhg - NJ haE
been such pcrseyerng and bold attempts TO into the
national treasury, unlawfully as at present
/ an daily brsieged by clamorous agents in person,
and as sailed bv ytnpsration and threats in every FORM
but have thus far endeayored TO preserve the equan
nifty and patience necessary to faithful ana honest as
Charge Of duty.
am at s times ready for the most searching scrutiny
into my ofrcisl conduct. aud have than in
vited members Of Congress tsome Of whom deem il a
part OF their privileges to abuse public ocers to in
tute an investigation into the management Of this b.
resu fearing nothing but the errors incident TO fole
judgment
The practice q attempting to brow5sst and ovcrawe
subordinate public officers by appeals to the appointing
ditor H. in some respects judicial officer bt. he l.
by under the protection against ocfage
and wrong lie IL eay subject 10 personal annoyanoes
and 70 written donunciation and Insult do not expect
u be exempt from the penalties incident to
srduous petition. 1t Is my fate TO fill Office which
brings me into constant conflict with the interests add
passions Of men and am very naturally object Of dis
like and prejudice 10 many u them do not feel my
sell called upon In every instance 10 defend my olives
pointed who finds an obstacle 20 his entrance
into the treasury But when the appeal is to you sir
feel myself jutiaed in attempting TO make my defence
ample and conclusive
The late Of Congress giving bounty Land 70 officers
and soldiers has added larg. to the duties Of this bureau
now have twenty i've clerks employed in making out
certificates q service in the with England AMI
raj Indian and have reported upon least twenty
thousand Of these since the first Of November last
send TO the Pension Office average Of hundred aud
tfly daily. Pardon this proxity. have thought the
occasion not inappropriate to advise you Of the true
condition Of affairs and respectfully AK your attention
10 the hurried statement now presented.
The accompanying page will show the character and
magnitude Of the duties aprertsning to the office
With great respect, your Obedient servant
JNo. ). GALLAHER.
Ills Ekcelancy President FmLMoRE.
DUTIES or THr THIRD AUDITOR.
To audit and Tefil tie fyIoCfag accounts ard cGias
j. Quarternasters accounts
Subsistence accounts.
g. Pension agents accounts
q Engineers accounts
orses and other property lost from 1919 to present
date. set 1s4p
Miscellaneous claims, ur der act June 2 1913, re-
funding expenses In raising volunteers.
Z Revolutionary cisms.
Special acts ~ Congress
ArTearsges % war Of lsl2
10 IIsfpay p, nsons TO widows in certain cases
service from the rolls q 1872 and several Indian
Twenty Eve clerks
The whole number Of clerks now employed In this
Bureau-seveuty two.
JS0 = GALLAuER- Auditor
fAppended 10 the foregoing Is statement by Comp
troll, Hall setting fofth that appeal from Gslaher
decision has been made since hs (lials) entry into