The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-09-29
ACCOUNTABILITY OF PaYTssTEgs.

NEWPORT, r. IT, Sept. 81. 1871.
TO TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
In your paper of the 18th inst appears an article
relating TO the defalcation or Paymasier Hodge,
United States Army, In which the system OF ac-
countabillty or rather non-accountablity, adopted
by the Treasury Department is severely but justly
criticised 1t announces the astounding fact that
"his tPaymaster nodge's) regular account has been
settled only up TO March 20, 1857. His transactions
during the last four and half years yet remain to
be examined Another journal also informs US
that chs disbursements for six years past amount
TO $29,3oI, 1907 Now, Mr.. Editor, with these items
before yOu can you lay your hama your heart and
say that it is just that MAJOR Hodge should be pun
iShed. He has SIMPLY turned States evidence
against this system, aud should certainly be en-
titled TO the benefit Of the act il such cases pro-
vided.
AS to who Is responsible for this loose style or
Keeping the accounts OF the country let the people
Judge. Feeling, however, q little more at home in
naval circles than IN the army have inquired as 10
the chance OF such a deiacStion happening in
have been taken against them under President
Grants administration. The first general ORDER
issued by Secretary Borie was da.ed as follows
GENERAL ORDER No-s8
NAVY DErARTMrSr, wAsn,NGloN, March 10, 1889
,ions upon his Department for money, win, .
ss Baa Ike e the a funds
SoadAscertan definitely the objects for which additional
s re
ON ~ neoaen, ~ srl Amounts "a are aasney nee
sary for immediate use. A. 4. BORIS
Secretary Of the Navy
The effect Of this order 10 establish The fact
that there was much more United States money in
the hands OF The dlsbuTsny OIIiceIs than there
any necessity for, and for all of which the govern
ment was paying at least SIX per cent interest This
state OF affairs necessated The Issuance OF another
order 70 cover the defects OF No. 49, Accordingly
on the 9th OF April we lind the following
GENERAL oRDER-No. l21.
NAVY DtPAsTdEHT WARRINGTON April G. 1869.
Dsbursng officers OF the navy, and others having In hand
O m
deposits made in designated depositories:-
In all forward the original certificate Of deposit
the Fourth Auditor Immediately upon making the Deposit
the amount In quest received, and why deposited
Transmit the duplicate TO the department. retaining the
pcate file with accounts and to guard against losses
In where paymasters acting agents. have
ceved funds regulations for payment Of particular bills
which unpaid the time Of their relief the funds
received viii be transferred To their and all other
funds their Will deposited TO the credit of the
Treasurer o. the United States. A. +. BURIE,
Secretary of the Navy.
Shortly after this order was Issued you may recol-
lect that number OF '.defalcations, were an
nounced and about half a dozen navy paymastera
were brought to trial. One ! am told, was short
about one hundred aud twenty-five thousand dol
lars Another case mentioned was thai OF pay
master who, when called upon, per last clause OF
tile above order, TO deposit all unexpended funds TO
the credit OF the United States Treasurer, cOOlly
asked for thirty DAYS time. II am not misnrOrmed
This gentleman mas held $500 900 OF government
funds for four years without scttlinQ his accounts.
This loOscness suppose principally arose RON The
war; and II Is consoling to think that the Navy De-
partment OF the present administration nipped the
thing In the bud. Do Mr. Editor, please get them
10 let Major Hodge on: OF prison lie won't do SO any
mOre-under proper management PAT.