Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-12-10

Leaving as charge upon the Treasury go sIOO 40 O4
regret to be obliged to state that some Of
our consulates seem 10 have been exposed TO
considerable peculations from our own agents
and officers. , t3Itt
Although these officers are required by Law
10 report quarterly, found on entering on the
duties Of this Office that the last salary report of
the Consul Of % important post as Liverpool
was made March 81, 1858, and that the Consul
then acknowledged balance 10 his hands Of
s., ,929 80. Since then he had strangely been
allowed to hold on without reporting, spending
all the funds he could reach, neglecting che pay
ment Of all elaine for food, clothing and medi-
cal abundance OF our sick and destitute seamen,
and BY course Of plunder and proAigacy un-
equAlled In our history, contracting public and
private debte, which l am assured BY neigh
boring Consul, probably exceed $1,000 Isis,
perhaps, some consolation to reflect that this
plonderer no longer dIsgraces the Government
abroad, but like the late Minister to Spain, who,
Of all our foreign Ministers, manifested the
greatest affection for extra allowances, has
found kindred and congenial association In the
ranks Of the rebel conspiracy. II 10, however,
proper 10 remark that reports were made from
this ofice 70 the proper authorities OF the de-
linqueneiee Of the Conful to Liverpool, without
producing any decided action.
Some of the consulates on the Pacific coast
and Islands need Investigation and reform. In
four Of these the disbursements for the relief Of
ssamen during the year embraced In the last
report from this Office exceeded $ll4,000 and
we're about SO 900 more than the Disbursements
OF all our other consulAtes during the same
year. In my judgment the appointment Of an
efficient Consul General for the IslAnds and
Coast Of the Pacific, with salary Of 81, 900 or
5000, would, BY stopping the Wholesale rob,
berry practiced under the color Of our humane
provIslons for the sick aud disabled seamen,
save to the Treasury ten times the amount II
would cost.
By the experience and assistance Of my chIei
clerk, we have made some diminution In thia
class Of expenditures, during the past year re
ducIng the gross amount from S220, SO 80 "a
| 9l77, ,736 IL, and saving to Che Treasury 442,
932 13, but We have been unable to reach Tbs
root Of the difficulty, In, these distant consu
lates there are both temptations and facilities
| for procuripg fictitious vouchers, and the cor
rectnesa OF paper on the face is generally In ex
act proportion TO the enormliy Of the frauds thel
cover. @,,
Nothing short Of the supervision OF an oiiesl
OF capacity and competsnt authority will bG
able 70 effect the necessary reform When By
proper safeguards our Consuls shall be relieved
from all temptation TO deviEe ways and means
70 reach the Treasury by fraudulent vouchers
they will have more time 70 attend 10 their Ie
gitimate duties, and NO sbsIl have reason TO ex,
pect that the real wants Of our alex and desti
tule seamen will be better supplled, aud the
receipts for aeamen's wages will be Increased
The other statements hereto appended are o
the usual kind, and have no peculiar character
istIos. rL. ...
4 have the honor 10 be your obedient servant
i JOHN G. UNDERWOOD, Auditor.
Hon, 8. ?. CHASE, Secretary ol the Treasury