The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-07-06
TE[E VALLEY VIRGINIAN.
Staunton, Virginia,
THURSDAY. .....................JULY 6, 1876,
CORRESPONDENCE.
Democratic Defalcations and Corruptions
NITMPE1 EOTTP
NUMBER FOUR.


In my last was furnished the correspondence
between Secretary Levi Woodbury. and John
Spencer, defaulting receiver of public
moneys, which establishes two points against
the now sanctified Democracy first, an extra
ordinary tenderness and compassion for dis
honest officials. Secondly, heineus disregard of
of the cardinal maxim of Democratic faith
profession rather than the patronage of the
Federal Government should never be brought
by public functionaries in conflict with the
freedom of elections.
that of Wiley P. Harris, Receiverat Columbus,
Mississippi.
liz January, 1884, Secretary fancy reminds
Mr.. Harris chat ''prompt deposit of public
Moneys and ''punctual observance of the
regulations as to monthly returns, are abso-
lutely necessary"
Mr.. Harris responds:
''Your circular CT the 18th ult., THAT incul-
eating prompt deposits and regular monthly
returns) is received. I shall strictly attend to
the same.''
| But, notwithstanding this fair promise IT.
turns out that he made no returns from Octo-
Der, 1888, to March. 25th, 1884, as appears
from the following letter:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT..
March 25, 1884.
Sir The Department having received no
monthly returns, showing the transactions OF
YOUR office, from the month of October last, |
have thought proper to inform you that. as
means of enforcing strict compliance with the
regulations of the Department in respect to
this duty, 1 shall not hesitate to report the case
forthe action of the Executive, should the neg
lect be continued.
r. B. TANEY,
Secretary of the Treasury.
W. P. Harris, Receiver of Public Money,
Columbus, Mississippi.
Here we find the great jurist, and 4 gentle
man then supposed to be possessed OF eminent
purity of character, temporarily compromising
with Gefaulting subordinate. Why was not
that defaulter dismissed on the spot? Why
was he allowed to remain in office near six
months,-a defaulter each succeeding month
and no punishment awarded, but friendly
warnings and easy expostulations! Why, eX-
cept that Democratic short .comings were not
regarded as very serious things by :Democratlc
Judges, and that what is done in Ethe cause OF
of Democracy, even if though against one OF
the Ten Commandments, ought to be con-
Idoned?
But the emphatic admonition of Secretary
'Tanev seems to have made but an evanescent
impression, for on the 9th OF February, 1860,
Secretary Woodbury., Mr.. Taney's successor,
apprises him that his returns for the months
of Noycmbe: and December, 1884, are in ar
rear.
And on the 18th Of March, 1885, he is re-
minded by the Secretary that ''no monthly re-
turns have been received from October, 1884,
to March, 1885.
And on June 25th. 1885, he is yet again no
titled that no returns had been received since
the month of November last, and that II ''all
returns in arrears are not transmitted Oy re-
turn mail, (Mr Woodbury. shall beconstrain-
ed to report your neglect for the action OF Elk
ecutive."
August 29th, 1885, the Secretary further in
forms this incorrigible defaulJer that his ''con-
tuued neglect had been reported to the Presl-
DENT" who ordered that ''f all the returns
were not made on or before the 10th of Octo-
ber he would then be dismissed"
In reply to this intimatlon Of removal Mr.
Harris replies, that ''all can say in excuse or
extenuation OF my seeming neglect in the Of
flee, is the great press OF business which VIII
more fully appear on reference to the certifi-
oota of denosit. X x = I ask
of the Presipent suspension Of removal for q
time. until correct information can be had
with regard to the manner in which the bust
ness OF the Office has been conducted"
Here we find Mr. Harris, after much coax
ing and repeated warnings, on the verge OF
dismissal.
But he was not dismissed. Though q de-
faulter of several years standing, and though
admonshed times without number that he
he must behave better, he was a spared monu-
ment of Democratic mercy, and how his neck
was snatched from the guilotine, shall be seen
in my next number.
How Democrats rally to the rescue of their
Democratic brethren, even when tainted with
actual crime, shall soon appear.
Those of Democratic pretension in the pres
ent House of Representatives. who lately vo-
ted to mulct with fine and imprisonment, any
citizen who would give dime to an election
fund. will do we'll to note the history, from
first 10 last, of this most remarkable peculator
Of Democratic times. HAMPDEN.