The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-25

The following report made 10 the House OF Repre-
ves by the Secretary OF the Treasury in obedience
resolution OF that body. will give the reader distinct
view OF the changes made BY that department in the mode
OF keeping and discussing the public rsvenue Ii will be
seen that Mr. Guthrie adheres rgidly TO the independent
treasury law in his administration OF the Treasury De-
parlment- loose construction OF that law had gwen
10 abuses and probable losses. which called loudly
for reformation. II fortunate for the country that
the duty of administering that law according 10 its true
spidt and objec, devovsd upon an officer who had the
moral courage probe abuses to the bottom and 10 APP
ply the needed correction The following is the report of
Mr. Guthrie alluded to
TREASURY DKrAHTnESr,
February 2. 1854.
Sir In obedience to the resolution Of the House OF Rep
resenayes of the 22d OF December requesting lhe Sec
rotary OF the Treasury inform tho House what changes
been made within the last year In the manner OF
keeping the and how lar the assistant
have been made available deposnTies for disbusng
officers Tor the general government" have the
a,e that the provisions OF the act Of the 9Th August 1885,
commonly called the constitutional treasury law, have
strictly piled with and the public money kept the
treasury with the Treasurer assistant treasures and public
repositories. and applied in payment OF the appropriations
made by Congress, through officers Of the treasury, and
transfers made through the officers of the treasury the
sale of treasury at the points where needed,
authorized by the act.
had heretofore been the practice advance money
bankers &c. TO pay tho interest the public debt also,
under contracts transfer the from place OF
poste anoher Also for the purchase OF stocs This
practice has been changed within the past year.
No arrangement had been made tor the deposiiing and
safe keeping OF public moneys in the hands Of discussing
agents nor in making advances, had any instructions
been given them THE subject Some Of these agents
kept such moneys in their individual posse sson but
Others places where there public repositories
known 10 have deposited them with banks bankers.
and brokers.
Deeming such deposes 10 be contrary the letter and
intention OF the 18th section of the of 9th August 1896
the instructions the Treasurer and assistant
were given which will be found in the annual report
the finances, the 9th utmo directing them receive
such depostes nigh, be oaered open with
the disbursing agents and to pay their checks such
deposites.
great portion Of these disbursing officers have already
avaled themselves of the convenience and security thus a
forded and it is supposed tina, the residue will speedily
follow their example.
The which bursng officers have far avail
ed themselves of this arrangement may be seen by the Off
cai of the Treasurer and assistant here
with transmitted, marked from Z, inclusive. These
statements, being the last received the department.
show that there held the credit of various dsbus
ing officers viz,
BY the assis,an, treasurer Boston, on the
BY the assistant treasurer at New York. on
the 2lst January 279,07l 20
BY the assistant treasurer a Philadelphia, on
the els, January ss.Is5 81
BY the Treasurer of the United States, Wash
ington 2s2 sos 81
BY the assistant treasurer, Charleston, LIST
January 272sl II
BY the assistant treasurer, New Orleans, l4h
January 2s7ls 81
BY the assistant treasurer, ST Lonis, l4th
January CLIPS 90
81 $50 80
am, very respectfully