The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-06-30
MR.. WHEELER'S BACK PAY.
The Effectual Way in Which He Returned
it to the United States.


1t having falsely alledged by unscrupu-
lous Democrats that MIR. Wheeler voted for
and took the "back pay" in 1S73 the Cg-'
densburg Journdl puts at rest all such
charges by quoting from the ST. Lawrence
Republican of September ., 1873, an ar
ticle in which occurs the following
"a great deal of doubt seems to exist in
the public mind as to the legal effect of the
action of the few members of congress
who have colorably or in fact, returned
their portion OF the back pay steal to the
treasury Of the United States. The state
ment is almost daily made in the newspa-
pers that not single member has placed
his pay beyond his reach and ultimate re-
camation. The people of this congress-
onal district are concerned directly only
with the action of their own representative.
In order to full understanding of that we
have taken steps to obtain from the treas
ury department information as to the par
ticular manner and legal effect of Mr..
Wheeler's disposition of his portion of the
back pay, and we write with copies of the
treasury record before u.s. Congress ad-
journed on the 4th of March last. After
the appropriation bill which gave the back
pay was signed aud certified 10 the sec e.
tary of the treasury the question was raised
by the comptroller of that department that
the appropriation was not available until
the commencement of the fiscal year-July
|. 1878. THIS question was held under
advisemeut several days, when it was de-
cided that the fund was Immediately avail
able. Pending the decision of this ques-
ton Mr.. Wheeler went to Virginia. where
he remained several days and thon return
ed Immediately home. On his way, and in
the city of New York, he wrote the fol-
loving letter. which explains its,lf:
New YORK March 10, l973.-Sir: The
law passed by the late congress for increas-
ed compensation to members of the houe
of representatives and other officials givts
me Tor the last two years, after specified
deductr n, 81 4S2.40. As this measure was
opposed by my vote in all its stages, it does
not comport with my views of consistency or
proprlety to take the above sum TO NY per-
sonal use. desire, therefore, without Civ
ing publicity to the act, to return it TO the
treasury, which | do by enclosing herewith
% bonds of the United States, purchased
with said funds, and assigned by me to you
for the sole purpose of cancellation, as fol
lows, viz:
Bonds and brokers' commission
on purchase. ..,.................... ~, Az 20
Express charges ................ 9 go
Balance. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 81 81
Total Observation-Disclosures. $4,4S2 40
The balance is RENTED by my check
herewith. Please ackno Wedge receipt and
oblge. Respectfully yours,
w. Ii. WHEELER.
Hon. William A. Richardson. Secretary of
Treasury, Washington, ID. c.
To this the secretary replied as follows
Treasury Department. Washington, ID.
G., March %, 1873 Sir: Your letter of
the 10 h inst, incl' sing coupon bonds OF
the act of June 30, 1864, amounting to
SO 500, and currency draft for $67 81, has
been received. The proceeds OF bonds and
draft have been covered into the general
treasury of the United States, in accord
ance with your wishes. Very respectfully,
w. a. RICHARDSON, Secretary.
Hon. w. A. Wheeler, Malone, Franklin
county, n, \.
at will be seen from the above that
there can be no question as to the exin-
gnishment of the legal title to the back
pay in WheeleIs case. He drew the
money and expended it for United States
bonds, which he assigned to the secretary
Of the treasury for the sole purpose of
cancellations; and the secretary says he
complied with Mr.. Wheeler's wishes In
less, therefore, the bonds can be resurrect-
ed from ashes and Mr.. Wheeler's assign
ment revoked, it would seem that his back
pay is pretty etTectually disposed of We
conclude with the statement, of the truth
of which we have official evidence before
us, that Mr. Wheeler was the first man to
adopt this means of refundlpg to the treas
nry what ought never to have been, under
color of law, taken from it,"