The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-05

Those unacq ualo ed with The past history OF the Hon.
James Guthrie. Secretary OF the rrcasuiy-as most OF
your reader- are-seeng the low ard vulgar abuse OF
him in the New York Herald and other kindred papers.
must necessarily feel curiosity TO know something
OF his anecedens, and the cause OF this onslaught upon
him.
Mr. Guthrie Is a salwar, Ken,uckian, with remark
ably striking appearance His manners are plain and
unoslenlauoos The expression OF hs coun'snance. at
n'st slzbi, rather forbddng which soon disappears,
npon acquaintance however, and gives place to conn-
dence.
HIS high qualities OF head and heart placed him 10 the
lead of profession in b native State, and bis proby
OF character secured the confidence OF his people 10 such
degree that be was always elected 10 The political posi-
lions he sought although hrm and unfnchng State
fs hts democrat, and living IN a wing district.
HIS whole history, hs pure morals and his strict IN
egry, Iud Gated hun as proper man 10 administer tne
rrasu, Department. and 40 FAR a. he has gone. ne has
fully come up to the hxnes expectations OF the public
II was not 10 be expected that the man VINO Under
ook The mlsfule OF the Treasury Department
under the lae wh'g Administration, and orns back 70 n
legitimate acton--vniorc,ng strictly the accountability OF
those connected with it, and driving on those ~ho IKE
Vampires were sucking from it-wouid escape wIhout
denupciaIon.
Mr. Guthries first act OF reform to turn the for
FIXTURES OF twenty per cent upon nndsrvaued 40 IDS from
the pufses oil the collectors INTO tue vaults OF tne ueas
ury, where II properly belonged, thus correcting an
abuse which had grown in'o ptacce. aad saving hun
oreds OF thousands OF dolafs 10 the treasury.
The practice OF giving the foisIiures to the collect
ors which clearly not contemplated ny the law,
gave the collectors OF New York and San Francisco. and
other pors wher- The mporatons were large, better
salaries Than the President OF the United aes receives
In this connexioa, the manner in which me cohecoH
all the country discharged their dues came undef
his serulnzns eye, and loose screws were ugnened'
and many abuses were corrected a.
The contracts for public buildings pera'nng 20 the
Treasury Department were locked INTO, rsmodeto ana
phi m proper trim, and responsibility oil the contract
ora moal carei ully examined ,r,
In order 10 sysiemaze this branch OF public business
he made a requlsllion upon the Secretary OF war iora
civil engineer whose actual supervision VIII preven any
of funds or improper discharge oil duty
on the part of contractors Many snecures were abol-
shed and hs branch OF business put upon safe and
economical footing.
funds OF the government from the possession OF the
bankers and brokers where they had been lying aa
standing deposit resulting in vast pecuniary profits TO the
holders The agency OF bankers and brokers had been
used TO redeem the stocks Of government, which bad
fallen DUE and also for the purpose OF buying nP nose
not due, which the condition al the treasury jnstihed
Mr.. Simeon Draper OF these agents. anu ~
the timely settlement and withdrawal of the deposIs
from him much has been saved for the country. 49,
Under MIR Gulhrie's administration, tne Pe'pc'ous
practice OF allow Jog saared officers o tne fovsInmen.
to draw their salaries and extra compensation 'o' u"V
performed by them has been discontinued
By this practice which had grown to De universai
one large sums o public money were paid TO officers OF
the army acting in civil capacity IN California, ana
nocb more was paid to civil obcers engaged IN running
W., the country upon eands altogether unnecessary TO
the public bu''ness
+ have grouped together few Of the reforms miro
tuced into The administration of the Treasury Depart
nent by ibe Secretary the Treasury for the nofma-
non your readers, aud for The purpose OF pointing puo
ic attention 10 the l,ten which have gwen rse
the srous assault. that have been hurled upon me
Secretary by the disappointed punseres OF me Puohe
treasury.
/, was no, to be expected that the thw1,sd would