Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-12-04
cur Treasury system. .

Inc hepuollcdIS IN lcJJ anu lcO1, chafrtu
that the Democratic officials had conducted the
fiscal affairs of the State with great looseness
and in disregard of the legal restraints thrown
around the Treasury system. They capvassed
the State mainly upon this issue, so far as State
affairs were brought into consideration. and prom
ised that reform, retrenchment and strict regard
for law should characterize the administration Of
the financial interests of the State, if they were
placed in power. The Republican party have
complete control of the State Government, and
what is the RESULT Has there been any improve
ment in the administration of the financial affairs
of the State2 Is due respect paid TO the legal
restraints for the receiving. holding and dis
bursing the publ: moneys of the State" com
prised in the recent acts of the Legislature pro-
vided for a more secure treasury systeml
The Constitution of Indiana in enumerating the
duties Of the Executive power of the State says:
"He shall take care that the laws be faithfully
executed" The act passed in 1859 "to provide
a treasury system for the State Of Indiana" en-
joins the following duties upon the Treasurer and
Auditor of State:
And the Treasurer with the Auditor of State,
make out, sign and cause TO be published once, in
two newspapers of general circulltion,at Indiana
polls, statement OF the exact amount of money
in the State Treasury at the close of business, on
the last business day of each and every month,
specifying the amount belonging to each particu-
lar fund.
Under Democratic Administration this require
ment of law was faithfully complied with and a
complete exhibit of the condition Of the Treasury
made each month. Upon the accession of
the Republican State officers this duty was full
filled for two or three months, we beliere, and
then it was omitted. Why this failure to make a
monthly exhibit of the States finances? Does it
not look though information in regard thereto
was purposely withheld from the people, and is
not such a course calculated to excite suspicion
that "there is something rotten in Denmark ~
Why does not our energeric Governor see that
the laws are faithfully executed in that regard?
Does he wish to conceal the workings and con-
dition of the Treasury? The same act also re
quires of the Treasurer of State the following
exhibit:
On the first Monday of November, annually,
the Treasurer of State shall make out, sign and
cause to be published once week, for one month
in two newspapers, condensed tabular state
ment exhibiting the receipts and expenditures OF
the public money during the fiscal year next pre-
ceding, and in such statement he shall particu-
larly specify the amount of money in the treasury
at the beginning of the fiscal year, the amount OF
money received during such year from each OF
the several sources of revenue, carefully distin-
gushing the same. and the amount in gross paid
out under each Of the various appropriations, the
balance remaining to the credit of each particular
fund, and the total amount remaining in the treas
ury at the close of the year.
Why is this statement withheld 1t would
convey information of great interest to the peo-
pie of Indiana. Is there anything wrong in the
Treasury Department which occasions the omin-
oGs silence in tina t quarter Again we call upon
our energetic Governor to Z" take care that the
laws be faithfully executed"
Turn we now to the military law act passed al
the late extra session OF the Legislature. We
find in it the following provisions
And the money arising therefrom (the dispOsi-
t,on of the bonds). together with all exchange
and any premium which may accrue, or may be
received by said Commissioners. except as much
thereof as the Treasurer of State may require
for payments in the city of New York. shall be
paid by said Commissioners into the State Trea-
sary as soon as receioed By them.
Has this provision of the law been regarded
Have not large amounts of money been received
by the Commissioners which never went into the
State Treasury? What is the use of providing
restraints and guards for the protection of the
public funds, if they are treated with contempt
by our public functionaries?
Again we request our energetic Chief Magis
trate to "take care that the laws be faithfully ex
ecuted." We call upon the people to mark
the loose management that has characterized the
administration of our stringent treasury law:
under the Republican State Administration
Our Republican officials seem to be under the
impression that these laws were not made fol
them and they operate as though the public fund,
were private property, just az His Excellency
desires to manage the Quartermaster's Depart
ment to give it efficiency, which we suppose means
chance for outside operations The people de
sire little light upon the management and dis
position of the public finances. 1t may be al
right but they are somewhat anxious to find out
where the money goes (for il is going f.st) ant
for whatl His Excellency hadbctter quit attempt
ing to fill that suit of Gen. Scorr's old military
clothes, and attend to the financial affairs of th,
State, or else make way for some one who ha
both the ability and will to "take care that th,
laws are faithfully executed
Repeal of the Vermont Liberty Bill.