Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-23
PIundering the public treasury

An Administration memOer OF congress, MT.
VAN WICK, of New York, just at the close of
the recent session., gave another chapter on the
frauds of officials. 1t relates only to those in
the New York Custom House. Mr.. VAN WICK
was a member of an investigating committee,
and from his speech of February Odd, on the
report made by him, we make such extracts as
we have space for. We ask every patriot to
read these extracts, as follows:
In the early history of the war. it was claimed
that frauds and peculations were unavoidable;
that the cupidIty of the avaricious would take
advantage of the necessities of the nation, and
for a time must revel and grow rich amid the
groans and grief of the people; that pressing
wants must yield to the e~xtortion of the base;
that when the Capital was threatened, railroad
communication cut off. the most exorbitant
prices could safely be demanded for steam aud
sailing vessels; that when our arsenals had been
robbed of arms. gold could not be weighed
against cannon aud muskets; that the Govern
ment must be excused if it suffered itself to be
overreached.
Yet, after the lapse of two years, we find the
same system of extOrtion prevailing, and robbery
has grown more unblushing in its e~xactions as it
feels secure in its immunity from punishment, and
that species of fraud which shocked the nation in
the spring of 1861 has been increasing. The
fitting out of each expedition by water as well as
land, is but a refinement upon the extortion and
immense profits which preceded it. The freedom
from punishment with which the first greedy ana
rapacious horde we're suffered to run at large
with i'll gotten gains, seems to have demoralized
too many of those who deal with the Govern
ment.
Theaffair of the Cataline has grown to be a
virtuous transaction, compared with the charter
of nearly every vessel since. The two and a
half per cent. commissions of the brother in-law
OF the Secretary OF the Navy have been elevated
into a generous patriotism by the larger sums
continually paid from that time. Some one
should be held responsible for the incessant plum
dering. There is no more necessity for a nation
to be overreached than for "A large corporation OF
an individual. 1t is idle and childish, nay. Grim
ibal, to say those things must be borne. No, sir;
the Government can procure honest men ia its
various Offices Of trust. Ninety-nine hundredths
of all the frauds committed are done by the CON-
plicity and connivance of persons in its employ.
And the Government must be blind indeed not to
see the fact, and worse than imbecile to suffer it
a day.
What good does detection and exposure do if
the whole system still goes on2 1t is the GER
tainty OF punishment alone that prevents the com
mission of crime. Before 1850 we talked much,
and with truth, of the corruptions of the Buchan-
an Administration. We promised the people re
/ form ana retrenCnmeOL W. DcIGNe the Custom
House in the city of New York was a source OF
political power and political corruption. ! was
opposed to paying such large sums to the revenue
officers, and on the 5th day of July, 1861, intro
ducee a bill to limit them to a salary of about
s., 900 each, and require them to pay all fines
penalties and forfeitures into the tres sury of the
United States. Satisfied that the old abuses ex-
listed in full force, on the 26th dav of February,
1862. | moved "A resolution OF inquiry into vari
Gus matters connected Herewith, and in March
last examined fifty witnesses. regret to say
that | am compelled to differ with my colleagues
ON the committee as to that evidence, and the
subject of inquiry.
ATTEMPTS TO SUPPRESS THE Truth.
On the part Of some of them there has been a
persistent effort to suppress that evidence. The
motive inducing such n course | must leive the
public TO Judge. | obtained consent of the House
TO publish a minority report. and to that refer for
The history Of the whole matter, and the more
important evidence touching the subjects under
consideration. A few days after taking that ties
timony | went with my regiment to the Peninsula
Letters came to me from various sources that the
evidence was to be suppressed. So frequent and
earnest was the statement, that | wrote to a col.
league on the committee. stating the rumors, but
received no answer. Various newspapers have
charged that it was to be suppressed, and that
was instrumental tor that object. | desire to state
thus publicly that a majority of the COMMITTEE
we're not only interested to suppress the evidence
but that i should not be allowed to use il. Con
trarY to their expectations. / did obtain and use
it My report will show fully the history and re
suit of the unJustifabIe and unparliamentary
course of the committee to secure the end they
desire