The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-22

PREVENTION OF PUBLIC FRAUDs.-The deficiency
bill is under consideration in the Senate. Mr.. Hun
ter of Va, made speech on it on Friday, and the
discussion was continued by others. We perceive
efforts are making to give authority to the chiefs Of
departments, to make transfers Of appropriations
from one head to another, to meet exigences-that
is, if the appropriation for one expenditure runs
out, and the appropriation for another head is I'M
expended, Secretary may transfer the money to
be drawn under the last, to the first.
! This is most dangerous contrivance. All sorts
and kinds Of Galphnism, and other cheating and
stealing, may be perpetrated under it. The Florida
interest claim may be paid out of appropriation
for building mint in this city, if such law is
passed. Influential members of Congress, interest
ed in claims, or in the expenditure of particular
appropriation, can be enabled to secure their ends
without check. So far from allowing these trans
fers, Congress should pass penal statute against
them. If allowed, they will be effective means Of
perpctrating fraud and pillage Of the public trea
sury
Another provision ought to be put in the very
first act passed by Congress but strongly doubt
if Mir. Hunter, or any other member Of the Finance
Committee, will venture to fly in the face of the
claim agents, in and out Of Congress- and propose
it, 1t is provision declaring that money shall
be paid out of the treasury, under any appropria-
ton Of more than two years, or, at the utmost,
three years standing and making its violation a
felony. There are cases, as we are Informed, Of
general, indefinite appropriations, made in loose
and general phrascology, in laws Of nearly thirty
years standing and Of disbursements annually made
under them. The Florida spsi!ation claims are Of
this character. More than q million of dollars has
been paid out under general, indefinite act passed
in 1923, and allowances made, &c being authorized
by that act, without being otherwise sanctioned by
Congress There are other instances Of like cha
racter. The strict and faithful fufment of the law
declaring all surplus appropriations shall be carried
to the sinking fund every two years, should be Sc
cured by special and express enactment. The law
as now executed is nearly dead letter. Mr.. Hun
ters attention is invited to this subject, IL he is
disposed to do more than speechfy on it,
And while noticing this deficiency BILL we
would make enquiry Of those who ought to know,
how il is that the book of receipts and expendi-
lures Of the government, for the year ending
June, 1861, which ought to have been printed and
distributed nine months ago, is not yet forthcoming.
Wehave tried in vain to get copy from the depart
ments and from members Of Congress, and have been
assured II is not yet printed This is most important
document 1t is the record Of all the expenses Of
the goyernment-the honest ones as well as the
Galphinisms. This report is the record by which
some of the pronigacy Of Galphinism generally can
be detected. 1t is true there annually millions
Of dollars covered up in the accounts Of disbursing
officers which never get to the public eye, as this
book shows only the amounts paid to the dsbursing
agents, and not how they pay out the amount paid
10 them. That faithful and vigilant public servant,
General Mckay Of North Carolina, got law
passed the last session he to Congress, to pre-
vent these abuses and frauds; but we learn, its
provisions have been utterly disregardsd under diff
fercnt ptetcxts. We invite Mr.. Hunters attention
t. the provisions of ihst ut. rid inquiry 10 its
being cyadod