The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-08
TREASURY IRREGULARITIBs
How Boutwell, and his subordinates Missp
propriated Public Property.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--Sir: For
the purpose of enlRhteninR the public as to
how, and for the benefit Of whom, some Of the
"ContinRent Fund" yearly appropriated by
Congress for the Treasury Department Is ex-
pended, | ask the publication In THE SUN OF the
following papers, the originals Of which are 10
my possession:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, /
WASHINGTON, ID. G., Jan. 23, 1872
Andrew Gibncy Assistant SUPERINTENDENT Treasury De-
One walnut book case.
One walnut wardrobe.
One walnut swvelarm chair.
j. II. sAvILLE, g. g.
The above specified furniture in value about
5000, not being kept on hand in the treasury,
was, by the direction of Chief Clerk J. II. Sa-
vile, ordered by me and sent TO the house Of
MIR. Boutwell,, then Secretary Of the Treasury,
for use by him personally, and was Of course of
tue best KIND, with price corresponding TO the
dignity and taste Of So high an official.
The furnishing OF MIR. Boutwell's house In 80
small a part at the expense Of the Government
may not, here In Washington, be considered Dv
some persons as a wrong, but II will strike other
people IN and outside Of this city a. being IN
want Of that keen sense of delicacy which a
scrupulous and high-toned public mon should
pOs sess, and Ia hardly consistent with the high
plan OF integrity claimed by Mr. Boutwell, for
Hepublican officials In his speeches In ONO and
Indiana.
The present Secretary OF the Treasury, Mr..
Charles +. Conant, when chief OF the Warrant
Division, under Mr.. boutwell,, followed the ex-
ample OF his chief in the use of Government
property at his private residence as the follow
ing receipt In his own handwriting, now in my
possession, Will attest:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT. Feb. r. 1872.
RECEIVED o. Andrew Gbaey Assistant suoerntend
CuAs +. CoSANr. chief Of Warrant Division.
This desk, almost now at the time, and worth
$50, was sent to Mr.. Con ants rouse bv me, by
direction Of MIR. Siyiilc, and remained there I'M
til about six weeks ICO, when Mr. COnant
claims that he returned 1t; hut doubt whether
II was returned by him until after an interview
! had with him. which may have caused him to
dread exposure; and even though he may have
use of 1t for nearly i've years, making the desk
AZ least much worn aud OF little value to the
Government.
The old Gdage, Like master. Ike man." IL
still further Illustrated as the following receipts
will show:
Received from Andrew Gi6ney Assistant supern
pigeon holes anu new drop light to Be returned when
All Of which was taken to his house. and
amounts In value to $50 at least. MIR. B, yley IL
good sort OF asub- cniet division aud favorite
The receipt Of II. s. Vanderbilt, formerly ap-
pointmeDt clerk OF the Treasury Department,
shows that the genial Harry was fond Of sub
stan,ial furniture for his library. 1t Is AS fol-
lows:
Received from Andrew Ginney, Assistan, superin.
tendent Treasury Department, one secretary from
ii. s. vASDrRBnr.
Which secretary was taken to Mr.. Vanderbilt's
house, and was in value ABOUT $50.
And last though not least, the Captan OF the
Treasury watch, whose arduous official duties
kept him up late at night at his house required
one drop light and tubing as per following re-
cent:
Received OF Andrew Goney one drop light and tubing
for Official business" to tie returned when ca led for
II. A CoBAUGu Captain Of Watch
The above account of how some OF the Treas
ury matters have been managed may not be I'M
interesting TO he readers OF your valuable pa
per at whose hands only we can expect a remedy
OF these irregularities, tue mildest term / can
give them.
Very respectfully, ANDREW GIDNEY.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Oct. 8, 1876.