The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-04-11

! To the House or Representatives.
GENTLEMEN On the 10Th of last Januar,
/ the following resolution was placed In my
hands:
Resolved by the House of Representatives
That His Excellency, the Governor, is re,
| specially requested 10 inform this bod \
what amount OF the $4,000 known as the
/ Secret Service Fund has been expended by
| the Executive, and for what purpose such
disbursements were made, and that he re-
turn 10 the clerk Of this body the vouchers
Tor such disbursements, aud all papers con-
| nected with the same.
Passed the House of Representatives,
January -, 1872
Respectfully.
III. W. WARREN
Clerk of the House
As no part of the $4,000 known as the
Secret Service Fund. or the papers apper-
tanning thereto were turned over TO me by
my predecessor, Governor Alcorn, trans
nitted TO him your resolution of inquiry
with the request that he would place me I'm
possession of such data as would enable me
10 report in conformity with your wishes.
This he Immediately assented 70, but on ac
count of his public duties and business en-
gagements, together with the delay occa-
stoned by the slowness OF mail communica-
ton, did not come in possession of the
necessary papers until last Saturday. The
vouchers received aud now on file in the
Executive Office, embrace tull and specific
exhibit OF expenditures on account of the
secret Service Fund. amounting in the
aggregate TO $36,956 CO. The $1,000 81 In
state paper remaining uncovered by vouch-
ers, Governor Alcorn states was expended
under pledges of secrecy which he holds in
yiolable. Among the objects to which the
Fund was devoted the vouchers on file show
as follows:
Expended in paying detectives
under supervision of In Hall $13JO4 40
IIocurlhg testimony against ku-
klux, and investigating case of
Meridian riot-----...--... -. G.7s6 II
ray ment ofrewards ---- 969 90
Lawyers fees in enforcement of
criminal laws 9l2j 90
miscellaneous expenditures in
making special Investigations 4243 30
Other miscellaneous expenditures 234G 80
To that portion OF your resolution which
requests me 10 turn over To the Clerk of the
House OF Representatives, the vouchers and
papers pertaining TO the Secret Service
FUND, most respectfully decline To acceed.
Iuese papers now form part of the public
records of the Executive office, for tile safe
keeping OF which /. as Governor of the
State, am held responsible; and while will
cheerlully allow any duly authorized COM
mittee OF the Legislature, to examine the |
books and papers of my office, know of no |
either of law or custom that will /
warrant me In surrendering any part of |
hem To any person other than my successor /
n office.
1t is proper for me To state that the con-
iltions under which the Secret Service 4
+ und was placed at tue DISPOSAL OF the |
Executive leaves it optional with him TO /
account to the Legislature for the manner
If its expenditure. While the publication
II the one hundred and odd vouchers and
statements on which the fund has been ex-
pended, would satisfy the idle curiosity of /
! few people, no public good can possibly
esult therefrom, and such a course of pro-
edure will only result in violating conf
lence towards those persons who nave, in
,tood faith sought to render valuable SER
ice to the State.