The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1875-04-14

1 Treasurer Spfnmer's Declimati0m o.
Pecuntary Aid.
In. speaking of the resignation o
United States Treasurer Spinner, thu
Utica Herald says: As q practica
manager he was vigilance incarnate
His positive signature is no more dis,
tinct upon the notes of the United
States than was his oversight in all
parts of the Treasury. He lived in
the Treasury buildings. During the
war he worked night and day. Al
ways his habit was to see personally
that the vaults were closed, the treas
ures safely kept, after his subordi-
mates were asleep. He organized his
vast machine so perfectly that in his
long service over SIS, 0OO, 900, 600 pass
ed through it, and 5000 or 1000 per-
sons were employed about it, and the
loss was less than 81 on 81 ,OOO, OOO.
His rigid severity relaxed. little OF
late years, but his fidelity only became
more genial, not less careful, and en-
crossing. His health has gravely suf-
fered from his labors and assiduity;
but he has neglected no part of his
duties to the last, except when disease
has held him PROSTATE. This man,
who has received and disbursed sums
beyond our power to conceive. ls In
very moderate circumstances. When
a defalcation occurred in his Office he
arranged to pay it, although it would
impoverish him to do 80; but Con-
gress stepped in and relieved him
cheerfully, and with no division, for
he was one of the few officials in
whose presence partisan malice be-
came dumb. Last summer, in view
of his great services to the country,
and the utterly inadequate reward
which he had received, this journal
suggested that sum be subscribed to
raise him to full competence. He de-
clined the proffered compliment in a
letter now first published, which il
Illustrates his character and shows the
spirit in which he leaves his position:
TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES, /
WASHINGTON, June IL, 1874.
MY DEAR Mr.. ROBERTS: My at
tentioD has been kindly called by our
friend Merriam to an article in the
Utica Morning Herald of the 10th
inst, that is exceedingly kind toward
me personally. Now, while [ am
really overwhelmed with grateful
feelings to the good heart that con-
ceived and the head and hand that in
dited it, yet I must, from convictions
of duty and from what l believe to be
right and proper, most respectfully
decline the contemplated pecuniary
aid as proposed. The conviction in
my own mind that l have conscien-
tiously done my duty, though no more,
yet my whole duty to my fellow. coun
trymen, individually and collectively;
and the knowledge, evidenced by
proof like your editorial testimony,
is recompense enough to satisfy for
all the cares, anxieties, privations, and
sacrifices that have been voluntarily
and cheerfully made, during the long
years of our struggle for national
and ever since that time,
have but three children to provide for.
Having always believed that $40, 1000
left to child is as we'll, if not better,
than a much larger sum, have,
never desired to be rich, or
to leave to each of my heirs more
than that amount of money. IN
through the misconduct of others, /
an honest reputation, will be legacy
that ehoqld satisfy my children; and
by such good and true
men as you, whose good opinion 1
,ovet above all material goods, fully
me. Sincerely thanking you,
Or through you him who has evinced
such great kindness toward me, with
heartfelt gratitude, remain. as ever,
your old friend, F. E. SPINNER.