Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1874-04-15
INCOMPETENT OR WORSE.

That something Is wrong In the
Treasury Department regarding the
Sanbern contracts there can DO 10
farther doubt. We have long been OF
the opinion that tho present Secretary
OF the Treasury vas an Incompetent,
but the testimony recently elected In
the Sanborn investigation puts even
a darker phase upon the matter. 1t
has been shown by this inquest that
not only did Secretary Richardson
grant Sanborn the special and extra
ordinary powers under which lie has
operated, but gave orders to Custom
house and Internal Revenue officials
to turn over to him collections which
would have been regularly made In
the usual manner, he receiving In each
case half the amount so collected.
Several Instances have boon developed
where neither Sanborn nor his agents
did anything save notify certain rail-
road companies. that the taxes due aud
which said companies were ready and
waiting to pay, must be turned over to
them (Sanborn Il Col instead Of the
regular Government officer on duty at
tho place where due. Tho latest aud
most barefaced swindls in this invcs.
tiyation was developed yesterday:
Al. Odsll, Treasurer OF the Del
aware, Lackwanna and Western Rail-
road, testified that on the 9th OF jan
harry last he sent direct to tho secre-
tary Of the Treasury u check for SlOo'-
600 In bank, taxes from tho company,
the delay In payment being caused by
the conflicting DEGREES Of tho Commits
sloner Of Internal Revenue, the ques.
tlon having been decided just previous
TO the date mentioned. He was sur
prissd, never having heard Of Sanborn
or his agents In connection with the
matter. to find cut that Sanborn re-
ceiyed half OF the amount. a mem-
Der Of the committee called attention
to the fact that though the check wa
ssnt direct to the Secretary OF the
Treasury OH January O, q letter from
Sanborn Of January 5, 10 the Secretary,
states the amount and number Of the
check, aud that the money was COL
lccted by HIN.
II this does not stamp somebody In
the Treasury Department as a knave
w are unable to Ind greater cause.
Here was the sum Of 100000, pay
ment Of which was delayed by the stu
pldity OF a United States Commits
sioner, until n. last his decision beln:
30 rendered as to authorize the COM
pany to pay their taxes, the money
was sent by It's Treasurer direct to the
Treasury Department-thls Oh the
9th day OF January. Two days later
letter was written By Sanborn To Sec
rotary Richardson, stating the num-
Der aud amount Of this check, and that
the money was collected by him. In
other words, two days after the rail.
road company had paid their taxes 70
the Government direct, sending n
check therefor to the Department, this
man by some esn obtains tho num-
Der aud amount Of the check aud
avows that he collected IL, and his
claim was allowed. lie received $780,
900. while the railroad company's
Treasurer that he never had
anything TO do with Sanborn In any
mannsr; did not know no had any
connection with the case, but paid his
taxes just a. oou as he had opportu-
nifty. In this transaction the Govern
ment was directly robbed of $4,000
by the carelessness Tor somsih.ng
worse) of'the Secretary and his subor-
dlnates. Where did Ssnborn get the
number and amount OF this check ?
How did no know that It had been re-
celyed at the Treasury Department,
80 that two days thereafter he could
give Its number and make claim to n
moiety thereof? Why was he allow
ed his fee? These are questions which
Secretary Richardson will be called
upon to answer before the inquest Is
terminated.