Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-12-18
Report OF the Army Contracts Committee-The
Board of Claims, .- a.,

Board of Claims. g4rI
We publish to-day the report Of the committee of
the Convention to inquire into the accounts, con-
tracts, and disbursements Of the dsbursing agents
of the State from the LIST of April last up to the
present time, together with the ordinance contnu-
ing the Board of Claims
The Army Contracts Committee consists of
Messrs. Satterthwaite OF Pitt Carson of Ruther-
ford, Dickson of Dupln, Jones of Rowan, and Set
ger OF Catawba Their report it is true, is general
in its scope for the that they had time in
which to institute particular invesgations; but hav
ing arrived at the conclusion that there had been
fraud, pecuatiOn and malfeaSance in office they did
not hesitate to announce the fact. They also say,
and truly, that Justice to the public interest as
well as to the honest and faithful public officers and
agents. imperatively demands full and fair invest
CATION of the past, and proper checks and safe
guards for the future" Who can object to that?
No one who is honest or who has performed his
duty in office as he should have performed it. We
feel sure, however, that no member of the Commit
tee or of the Convention intended to imply by ac-
cepting the report and passing the ordinance that
either Gen. Martin or his staff" in this place,
it is called, have been guilty of fraud peculation
mafeasance in Office; but it was impossible to dis
claim for one without diSclaimng for others and
those who feel and know that they are innocent,
can well afford to await investigation, which will
result not in Furnishing them, but those only who
are guilty. That there cases of guilt especial
ly among employees, there can be no doubt These
cases will be reached when the accounts are laid be-
fore the Board OF Claims The proper checks and
safeguards" referred to by the Committee, have
been provided by the ordinance which we publish
to day, and which, if properly enforced, as we be-
eve it will be by the Board OF Claims, will not
only run the dishonest and unworthy out of office,
but save thousands of dollars to the State
The opinion is entertained by some, that the or
dinance continuing the Board of Claims ties up the
hands of disburSng agents and prevents them from
paying for supplies until their accounts shall have
been allowed by the Board This opinion is erro
neous. The second section refers to expenditures
! made, or responsibilities incurred or allowances
claimed; "tcdich hare not already been finally SET
| tlet and all0.red at the TredSury"-and mo such
account" says the ordrnance-neaning, of course
! for expenditures made, or responsibilities incur
red, or allowances caimed -" snail hereafter De
settled allowed or paid, unless the same shall have
! HIST o<en PaSSeu upon, &c. And then IN the
fourth section provision is made for quarterly re-
ports and exhibits ~ disbursing agents, to be laid
before the Board of Claims as to continue in the
future this salutary check those who handle and
disburSe the public funds.
As the result of the report of the committee and
the passage of the ordnance Gen Martin addressed
letter to the Convention Offering certain ddrce to
! that body No doubt the General meant WELL and
we wish to say nothing unjust unkind of so gal
! liant and worthy a man; but his letter, to say the
least was not pertinent TO the OCCASION 1t twas not
called for by any thing which the Convention had
done; and no matter what might have been the pro.
ceedingS of that body, he would not have been JUS
titled i'll sending them message by way of a letter,
containing advice which he wished them to follow.
The GorernOr Of the State is the medium through
which the different departments, military well as
civil, should communicate with the peoples repre-
sentatves; and we surprised that Gov. Clark
should have permitted his Adutant General to step
i'll his shoes, it were and otter suggestions to the
Convention.
Weshall notice this subject and matters connect.
ed with it, more at length hereafter.