The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-04
moss sHEPHERD's POWER.
New Once Created for the Mighty Mullett-
A Plain Violation Of Law.

WAsHINGToN Oct. 3.-The potential in
nuencc Of Boss Shepherd has again been felt
IN the Treasury DEPARTING mt, and A. Is. Mullett,
who was turned out OF the Supervising Archi-
tects ONCE by Bristow, is made Supcrintend-
ing Architect. at a salary Of sl2 day for every
day In the year, and actual travelling exuenses,
with an allo vance OF s. day for subsistence.
The following is Secretary Morril's letter Of
instruction to Mulett:
H. MHdou. Esq.
sIR; inciosc herewith your appointment a. super.
nnnrl Ars i,cct lor tnc pubic buildings row IN
t t1s Mrtfhcet Of nls ,r'gc9i a. S1c,go H.
Yors city, ana Hartford conn Your da,ie. under tnis
Spyoinimen WIN be % visit the various works spuci
her,d 70. aud that the sup,rntehG,ns are conpying
work ana cenaactng it win dscacce ' energy 70 hnS
vision Of advisory character over these W.T.
consult win the Supervising Architect fu.l, uion 10y
sA,iine aciecs, and Inake such Recommendations us
You qgs f ,hr YER re Agory
caHS S aS lS ",g3E AL s Tn
the supervising Architect VERY rcsnectiuly,
LOT N. MORRILL,, Secretary.
BY this 1t will be seen that Mullett has charge
OF the public buildings which were begun and
not finished during his occupancy OF the Super
yising Architects office. The object OF this Is
apparent. There ar any number ~ Jobs In the
SURVIVING Of material for these buildings. and
performing the work thereon. The suuerin-
teudence Of Mullett IL not designed to pr ltcct
the Interests OF the Government, but Of the joe
bers who have granite, or sandstone contracts,
or plumbing and gas fitting Jobs at stake. he
tncompetency " .ullett ana his utter disregard
OF the interest ~ the Government were con-
experts appointed by Secretary Irstow TO ex-
anime and res ort upon the Chicago Post ONCE
building In course OF erection. The frauds
ptactised in the furnishing OF the stone
for the foundation Of the Post ONCE
and had not Secretary Bristow been forced out
OF the Cabinet Indictments would certainly
have been found against all the parties. IN the
case OF the New York City Post ONCE, the
Committee on Expenditures on Public Build
ings Of the House at the last session showed
suffered contracts to be made beyond the ap-
prOpriations to the amount Of nearly a quarter
OF million dollars; and now, in the face OF all
these facts. Mullett Is appointed to superintend
the erection Of the hve most important and
costly public buildings IN the United States.
There Is Just about as much use for "a supeiin-
tending architect as there is for nth wheel to
a wagon. There are already a supervising
architect, supervising Inspector, and local
superintendent for each building who Is an
architect. aud now new ONCE Is created aud
Mullett is made STRENGTHENING Architect.
IL Will be observed, moreover, that Mullett,
under the Instructions from Secretary Morrill,,
e made an inde pendent onicer OF the Treasury
Department. and Is not "A subordinate OF the
Supervising Architect He Is to exercise gen.
eral SUI ervision Of AN advisory cnaracter. and
make recommendations which, In bis opinion.
will further Government Interests. He Is not
required to make these recommendations to
the Supervising Architect, and those who know
Mullett know very well that he will make all bis
reports to the Secretary OF the Treasury direct.
Even when he Is told that he must obtain
authority for any changes and expenditures he
may decide on, II Is plain that II Is meant that
be shall in no sense be considered a SUD-
ordinate OF the Supervising Architect. lie
liz to obtain his authority through, not
from the Supervising Architect This is conclu-
sive proof that this aDpolni ment Is meant to be
above and beyond the SuIervising Architects
office, aud that IL Is AN ARBITRARY and illegal
stretch OF power. The Secretary Of the Treasury
has IN reality created new Office and IL Applying
the puoilc money to purpose for which II was
not appropriated. which Is an impeachable Of
fence. There Is no such ONCE as that OF Super-
intending Architect known to the law aud II
one dollar OF money is paid To Mullet under his
appointment thereto by secretary Morrill,, II will
be ia violation OF Section LEO Of the Revised
Statutes which provides that no money shall he
pId from the treasury to any person acting or
assuming to act as an officer, civil mi ltary or
naval, as salary In any office, when the Office Is
not authorized 10y some previously existing law.
unless such Office Is subsequently tnctioned by
law. Ii has been customary heretofore To appoint
supeIintendens OF particular buildings In
course OF erection, but these superiutendents
moreover, their duties were confined TO "a par
gwen supervisory powers over all the buildings
four If the urnci al a les OF the United States
plain violation Of Doth the letter and spirit If
the law. aud the House OF Representatives must
mold Secretary Morrill, TO strict accountability