Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-11-05
THE TREASURY IRREGULARITIES.
From the Globe-Democrat.l

THE TREASURY IRREGULARITIES.
From the Globe- Democrat
WASHINGTON, D. g., Oetober g.
The report OF the treasury fhvestiga-
tion called for by the Sherman resOiu-
tion will be sent to the senate by
Secretary Window Tomorrow. In
connection herewith Assistant Sec
retary Up on will file statement on
his own behalf. The senate never
called Tor defense from MIR. Upton,
but that gentleman appears to think
the case requires one aud has seized
upon tho opportunity to make it.
There is q muddle about this treasury
business, in which Mr.. Upton 10 said
to be involved, which has bewildered
the public as much as il has annoyed
Senator Sherman. This mudile Isl
now thought TO be in q fair way Of
being solved, not by. the report called
for nor by the defense Of Upton,
which was not called tor, but by the
confession of ex-Castodianu Pitney
himself, who thinks he las been.made
the scapegoat of the treasury ring.
A Sunday paper here to-day publishes
about two columns concerning the
treasury scandal, the facts or fancies
of which are understood to be in.
spired by Pitney. This article makes
plain some points which have hitherto
been the subject Of mere newspaper
speculation. From this account II
appears that when Mr.. Power became
chief clerk he seut for Custodian Pit
neyand told him that the system for
the conduct Of that Office devised by
Upton would continue to be the rule.
This means that the purchase Of
goods regardless Of the, statute from
ring merchants aud the duplication
of warrsn nts IN payment OF certain
purchases would continue. Custodian
Pitney refused to, be- u party TO the
continuance OF this. system unless be
received written order for the exc
cution of each irregularity. The de-
demand was scceded to and the
orders were made from timenit to
time as OCCASION required. The syS.
tenn thus continued until the exodus
of Sherman aud the advent of Win
dom. The ring thought it the proper
thing to do to give Sherman . fare
we'll banquet in the basement Of the
treasury building. No expense was
spared to make the occasion one to
be remembered by the fiuancier who
was about to depart. The gloom i0f
his Chicago reverse was to be iAu-
minated by the loyalty of tho bu-
reaucrats who saw in him so much
Of the admirable, and it was proper,
true to the long settled policy of the
riug to make somebody else pay. The
ri Inn 1od Soto fu 40 mt ia
- apiece, which nettsd 4 handsome
sum. but not nearly enough to pay
the costs of the AFFAIR. The balance
was paid; out of the contingent fund
of the treasury, department., aud the
public money so illegally disbursed
credited on the books to q large
purchase OF sperm candles-fOrty-fve
boxes. When Window became score
larry, and on the day Of his first enter
ing his Office, be found on his desk D
magnificent floral shield, the gift OF
Power. So beautiful was this ar ticle
that Mr.- Window caused it to be pho.
tographed, and he distributed the
pictures among his friends. It may
afford Mr.. Window q peculiar sensar
tiou to learn that Powers gift to him
cost $25, and was paid for out of the
contingent fund of the treasury de-
partment, the amount being credited
to q number OF pot plants. Saul, the
florist, made the shield, getc., fol
Power, aud charged $50 for them, but
when he found that it was intended
for the new secretary of the treasury
he generously came down one-hsif,
Windom had more confidence II
Power than he had in Upton, and &C.
cordingly gave Power the appoint.
meht of the committee aud conduct
of the investigation. Having selected
committee to suit his needs he sent
for Pitney, told him what was
coming, aud successfully besoughl
him to tell nothing by assuring him
that the ring would stand or fall
together. He also prevailed upon
Pitney to surrender the numeroui
written orders Pitney had received
from him in authorization of the ir.
regular transactions. Once these
orders in his hands Power became
master of the situation and 80 con
Quoted the Investigation ss. to shield
all but Pitney, who from the fret hs
investigation progressed j1st fal
/
treasury department disgraced
man. The duplication of warrantl
lis by Pitney charged upon Chie
Clerk Power, and before the sdven,
of Power. upon Upton. The custodian
would prepare the warrants for the
payment Of goods purchased aud lay
them on the desk of Power. The
clerk in Powers Office. whose
duty it was to examine such papers
observed that at brief intervals war.
rants for goods for which warrsntl
had been previously passed and pai6
were regularly presented. Satisfying
himself that he was not mistaken, the
clerk reported his grave discovery tc
Power. The fact was denied BY
Power, but he instructed Pitney te
thereafter bring all his warrant,
directly to him for approval, anC
such papers never went through thu
hands of any of Powers clerks afte,
that time. This is q part of Pitney'l
interesting story. ar.. ..t