Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1880-05-18
SENATOR DAVIS'S REPORT ON
THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.


or the press has as yet comprehended the
full importance of Senator Dayis's work in
behalf of reorganization of the Treasury of
the United States. Although VIC have not
yet had time to study the full text of
the report, We have read enough of il to
convince US that Mr.. Davis has therein laid
the foundation of q new era in the financial
department of the general government. He
has, moreover. laid the foundation of endur>
ing fame for himself, as practical states
man. When we look back aud SEQ the diff
culties with which he had to contend-the
ridicule and adverse criticism of tho Repub>
.lican press-the jeers aud scofhug rhetoric of
Boutwell, and Dawes, aided by the real
ability of Sherman and Edmunds-and then
reflect upon the Senator'S tenacity, energy
and pluck in getting his special committee,
and his arduous labor in perfecting this
report, We feel that he has earned for him
self . position in the very front rank of
practical craftsmanship. In 1861, the
Treasury OF the United States was COM
paratively small and simple Bureau. There
Suddedly, within the brief period of ten or
fifteen years, this entirely manageable fiscal
agency bounds forward into the proportions
of the most stupendous financial machine in
the world, manufacturing, collecting, dis
bursting and funding from four to Eve thou =.
sand millions of dollars! And yet, incrcdi ble
rs it may seem, no ono, until Mr.. Davis
undertook the task. ever thought it necessary
to inquire how this mammoth machine was
run, how regulated. aud to what checks.
safeguards and balances subjected Mr.
Davis, as practical business man. discovered
wide discrepancies in the published state
ments of the several officers of the Depart
ment. This alarmed him. and he set about
finding como explanation. None could be
given. Those in charge seem to know moth
ing about the matter, aud to care less. Our
Senator would not be whistled down the
wind. In season and out Of season, he in
sisted on an Investigation, and now, after
four years OF persistence, we have the result
before US. Mr.. Davis has turned a stream
of electric light into the very heart of the
chaos that reigus, and has long reigned su
preme in the Department. The revelation is
astounding. No checks, no balances, no
regulators auywhere. Whole pages and
leaves Of accounts. and ledgers, torn out, and
others changed, blot.ed aud dcfaced No
safeguards against over issues or fraudulent
issues, except the Hypothetical integrity of
the hremen or engineers who ran tie Corliss
engine that printed thousands of millions of
greenbacks. No responsible parties ar. und
anywhere except the clerk tina. kept the
tally. How much of the sacred National
debt" has been rolled up by fraud, counter
feiting and robbery, heaven only knows. The
Secretary aud the Register, in stating it,
exhibited discrepancy of $40, 900, coo in
ten years. Small balances of 1000, OOO or
s6,0OO,00 were frequently forced. Interest
accounts, receipts, expenditures, cash ball
ances-all at sea, and no one officer agreeing
In his statements with any other. 1t is USE
less to 60 into details. The report speaks for
itself, and its material facts are not Denied
1t is great mistake to speak of this work
as campaign document. Its importance
Illus IL Wnoie attnoSpnereS ABOVE any such
purpose. The report will not have accom-
plished its purpose, until it leads to total
reorganization of the Treasury, which shall
correct the evils OF the existing system
Such = reform is essential to the perpc tuity
Of tho Government. aud the Democracy can
not afford to allow the Republicans to inau,
gurate the new era. The latter, through
Senator Ingalls,, have already introduced bills
based upon the revelations of Mr. Davis
report. But the party which is responsible
for the Introduction of these evils, and which
has persistently resisted all investigat ton, can
not be safely trusted to correct them A
change of administration is the starting point.
Aud when the Democracy como into power,
as they will shortly do, (unless fraud or usur-
patton shall preveuD Senator Davis should
be made Secretary of the Treasury, with full
opportunity to complete the reform which his
report has already inangnrated
THE FIFTH REGIMENT At WIScursrr,