Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-01-31
The Governor and the Contsngem,
fund.

At this time, when public officers of every rank
seem vieng with each other in their assaults upon
the public treasury. it is necessary that all per-
sons having the disposition OF public money should
be held To a rigid accountability
The people have n right to expect that those
intrusted by them with high and responsible posi-
tions will with manly integrity. that their
pendtureo OF money shall be free from all Juggling
aud trckery that there shall be no short cuts and
sulsl shifts to avoid investigation and response
bility.
Ii Is within the power of designing men 10
misappropriate money and by exhibiting show
ing fair on its face frequently escape exposure.
The inside view being denied, the great mass OF
the people compelled TO judge what Is within
from the facts within their reach, and test the
OF their public servants by the information
thus possessed. Aud where they able to dis
ever evidences OF nnfairness and want of coed
faith. they justly conclude that what is concealed
is worse than what is exposed and that the OH
Ger standing convicted in one particular is IN
worthy of confidence in any respect
These reflections suggested by an exami-
ton of the Military Contingent Fund
On the 9TH day OF MAY. lc6l. at the special
session of the Legislature. AN act was APP
proved appropriating one hundred thousand dol
lars to the Governors contingent fund. and pro-
viding that the Governor should report to the
ensuing General Assembly all disbursements by
him made out OF the fund, specifying each item
thereof.
The present General Assembly met, but the
Governor did make his report Day after
day passed by, but still report came until
the 18th inst. when the Senate passed resolu-
ton requesting HIS Excelency to make the re-
port required by The statute.
On the 2lst INST the Governor sent in mes
sage dated the cost inst, accompanied by his
report. 1t shows that up to the LIST iustans
$50 .li7 % had been paid on, of the fund.
We have neither the time nor inclination to
take up this report item by item; wall reter
to but one item. and it will show to what extent
the statements in the report can he relied on.
Immediately after the battle of Richmond
Kentucky. two thousand dollars were drawn from
the contingent fund and placed in the hands Of
~ bt uicuui>tN tit ASAV"t ~ aic
dians so!diers who were wounded there Ii wa:
not all suent. aud the excess over expenditure:
vas returned TO the Governors private Secretary
The money was checked from the fund about
the middle of September. 1862. and the balance
was returned To him short time thereafter
lt the duty OF the Governor to RAY ths
sum 20 returned into the Treasury a. part ct ,hs
contiugen, iu.d. that il might be drawn upon a.
necessity might require.
Was il returned. and when.
The report shows that this exce-s was retume,
70 tho Treasury the 81 day Of January. 1853
amounting 10 the sum VI Ss2s &c
In whose pocket this sum from the middl
OF September. 1869. until the 81 of January
Is6B-by what authority. and for what purpose
The Senate resolution calling for the report wa
passed on the 9Th inst The Governor show
that he had paid this money iu,o the Treasury OF
the 2d inst. consequently it cannot be suppose,
for rmoment that the call for detailed repor
had anything 10 do with the refunding of th
money. bat the fact Is the money no
paid into the Treasury the date give