Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-09-12
Our Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 4


Treasury, Mccormick, have assumed
more definite shape and his retirement
seems now accepted without question.
Cause assigned, the very onerous and
exacting character of the labor required,
if the duties of the position are con-
scientiously performed; and his most
bitter personal or political enemy would
hardly venture to suggest they had not
been during his incumbency. The
sharp contrast in this respect between
him and some of his predecessors makes
his contemplated resignation all the
more regretted. He is one of our few
public men who have been sought by
positions they have filed He is a
politician in the very best acceptation
of the term. Mr.. Mcpherson is regard
ed as having the inside track as his
successor: and if one must be selected
designation more generally accepta-
bic to those having business with the
Office could hardly be suggested.
The lobby intriguers who have been
operating for recall of the proclama-
tion convening Congress in extra ses-
sion on the 18th prox., have retired, APP
parently discouraged; and every plan OF
the army of interested ones is evident
ly laid with the view that there is to
be no postpoaement. Some items of
interest are made public by the Treas
urer in his assessment of National Banks
for the cost of asserting and redeeming
their notes, just now engaging his at
tention Total amount assorted during
the last fiscal year, s214 1861 800.
Unfit for circulation and hence de-
stroyed, s62 ,5Sl 600. Fit for circula-
ton and returned to the banks for that
purpose, sl51 ,S42,79O. Increase of
amount redeemed over year proceeding
s38, 8,239,445 Number of notes assort.
ed, 22,745,54S. Expenses for express.
age, sl89,362.05, and for all other
charges, sl67,7O4.05, aggregating
1857, ,066, 10. Other than express
charges, decrease of expense, s3S ,346.-
~ 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 other ex-
penses incurred in proportion to the
number assorted. On this basis the
ratio for express charges assessed is
1884 cents for each $1,000 as against
9O.36 cents for 1875. Assessments
for other expenses, S737 for each
$1,000 notes assorted as against s1O.79
for 1875. Not one cents loss has been
sustained by the agency during 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 bearing
fruit. It appears that the three speci-
al agents who were directed from time
to time to overhaul Mr.. Lees accounts
(now deceased) as Collector, all report
ed them correct. Two Of the three
.(Ayer 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 remiss-
ness-would appear all the more mex
cusable. The frauds reported by
Moore as Special Agent included thefts
Of duties upon entire cargoes and were
obscured by systematic Justification of
the records. Moore was summonly
dismissed on making his report and
Notwithstanding his many appeals for
an open investigation, as he says, his
requests have been ignored. Supervis-
ing Special Agent, Tingle, is charged
with having sent Aver Cone Of the al
legged derelicts) back to Norfolk imme-
diately after .Moore's damaging expos
ures, to re-investigate. About the 20
ult. commission was sent by Mr..
Sherman to investigate thoroughly.
They returned Friday and iti is report
ed this morning that they will substan-
tiate every charge made by Moore.
What the fate is to be Of the two "ex-
perts" who permitted those frauds to
be perpetrated directly under their
noses, month after month, while they