National Republican., 1881-11-05
cowrE,s STATEMENT.
why ne was Compelled 90 ResIgn-The
Facts of the taae.

Colonel Cowie, who recently resigned
as Chiefot the Consular Bureau, Fifth Auditors
Office, OH account OF disagreement with the
Auditor, Mr.. Alexander. has been seriously ill., and
on this account has been prevented from making
any statement He is now somewhat better, aud
yesterday dictated the following statement, which
gives the facts in the case
To the Editor OF THE REPUBLICAN;
The statement has been sent out through the press
that for Improperly passing account which was
contrary to the law had been called upon for and
rendered my resignation. This was published when
Twas sick in bed, aud am now too unwell to write,
but am unwilling TO wait longer before giving my
friends the acs in this do not believe this to
be the cause of request for my resignation.
BEFoRE COMING TO rHE CASE
let that the precedents and action OF Congress
are In accordance with what did. In 1876 several
missions and consuates abolished and a3 600 APP
prorated to pay tho salaries attached to them untl
they notified by the State Department, and for
the usual time to make the transit home. In 1878
Congress In the appropriation bill says; and the sal
aries provided In this act for the officers within
named shall he 10 full for the annual salary thereof
from and after July I, 1879" one OF tho consuatcs
effected by this act WIS sabonilla, South
America, where the salary had been 81
and. In addition. II the fees reached $1,000
tiOo out of the fees. This last wns or and
the salary len at s COO Mr.. T. T.. Pellet had been the
consul for many years, man had never known or
written to except officially. He erendered his accounts
annum, and when he came to know that the salary
had been cut down TO q 900 resigned claiming he was
entitled to pay at 1900 until he informed Of the
fepeai ofthe law.
HE WROTE LoNG LETTER
TO the Auditor In February last think, setting forth
that he could not live 1000; that he was old aud
inhrm nom diseases contracted in the army, and had
TO employ clerk, &C.. and with It sent account
claiming salary nt 1000 TO June 70, 1881. This
considered by the auditor and the usual letter written
TO the State Department enclosing Pellets letter.
which wns returned by the State Department, with
letter stating they had considered the case and under
the circumstances II was just and proper to allow
tin account, and requesting that II be settled
upon the basis claimed by Mr.. Pellet
When the account came up with the direction of the
State Department that It be allowed after consuta
uon over 1t, and discussing the intention of Congress-
In such cases as evidenced by the law OF 1876 sub
mted my conclusions to the Consular Bureau OF the
Comptroller's OGce Their views agreeing with
mine. directed the settlement of the account rs np
proved and recommended by the State Department.
ADMIT I COMMITTED MISTAKE
In not calling the specs attention of the new audi
tor to II at the time he passed It, hut II from
oversight, not Intention as had nothing to conceal
believing had done right; here Is my oIense. In
view OF the acts In this case and after twenty years
or hlthfil service TO the Government, feol that
am entitled to something better than the treatment
received while too sick to put myself right
GEORGE CowIE.