The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1877-09-14
WASHINGTON LETTER.

Rumors long afieat of the Intended
resignation of Assistant Secretary of
the Treasury Mccormick have assumed
more definite shape and his retirement
appears now accepted without ques-
ton. Cause assigned, the very OrerJus
and exacting character of the labor
required, it the duties of the position
are conscientiously performed; and his
most bitter personal or political enemy
would hardly venture to suggest they
h ID not been during his cumbency
The sharp contrast in this respect be-
tween lin and some of his predecess-
ors makes his contemplated resigna-
ton all tine more regretted. He is one
of our few public men who have been
sought by the positions they have
filled. He is politician in the very
best acceptation of the term. Mr.. Nc
Pherson is regarded as having the in
side track as his successor; and if one
must be selected "a designation more
generally acceptable to those having
business with the office could hardly be
suggested.
The lobby intriguers who have been
operating for recall of the proclama
ton convening Congress in extra ses-
sion on the 18th proximo. have retired,
ap parently discouraged; and every
plan of the army of interested ones is
evidently laid with the view that there
is TO be no postponement.
Some items of interest are made
public by the Treasurer in his assess
ment of National Banks for the cost of
asserting and redeeming their notes,
just now engaging his attention. Total
amount assorted during the last fiscal
year S214, 361, 300. Unfit for circula
tion and hence destroyed S62, SIS, 600.
Fit for circulation and returned to the
banks for that purpose S151, $40, 700.
Increase of amount redeemed over
year proceeding s3s, 239, AS. Number
of notes assorted %, ,745, 54s. Expenses
tor expressage S1S9, 362 O5, and for all
other charges s167, 7O4. O5 aggregating
1857, 066. 10. Other than express
charges, decrease of expense S3S, 346 AZ
or reduction of nearly 20 per cent.
as compared with 1875. The assess
ment for express expenses is made in
proportion to the amount of notes as
sorted for each bank, and all otherex
penses incurred in proportion to the
number assorted. On this basis the
ratio for express charges assessed is
SS "a 100 cents for each $1,000 as
against 80 36-100 cents for 1875. AS
sessments for other expenses S7.37 for
each 81, 900 notes assorted as against
S10.7S for 1875. Not one cents loss
has been sustained by the agency dur
ing the two past years showing the
accuracy of the system.
Mr.. Moore's statements relative to
the dishonest management of the Nor
folk Custom House are already bear
ing fruit. 1t appears that the three
special agents who were directed from
time to time to overhaul Mr.. Lees ac-
counts (now deceased) as Collector, all
them correct. Two of the
three layer and Chamberlain) have
been stationed at Norfolk for two
years, with ready access to the books;
hence their--well let US be mild and
call it remissness-w would appear all the
more inexcusable. The frauds reported
by Moore as Special Agent included
thefts of dutie S upon entire cargoes and
were obscured by a systematic falsih
cation of the records. Moore was
summarily dismissed on making his
report, and, notwithstanding his many
appeals for an open investigation, as
he say his requests have been ignored.
Special agent, Tingle, is
charged with having sent Aver lone of
the alleged derelicts) back to Norfolk
after Moore's damaging
to re investigate. About
the 20th ult. a commission was sent by !
Mr.. Sherman to investigate thoroughly. !
They returned Friday, and it is report
ed this morning, that they will sub
,tantiate every charge made by Moore.
What the fate is to be of the two sex
perts" who permitted those frauds to
to be perpetrated directly under their
noses, month after month, while they |
were paid liberal salary to protect |
the Government, il not made public;
but the dictates of ordinary prudence /
would seem to demand their immediate !
for their proven inefficien-