Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-01-05
TERRIBLE sEsPONSIRILITY.
How an Old BurIIngtoninn Discharged
an Important Trust.

rhc following, which we take from a
Washington letter to the Cincinnati Com
mercial, will be Of special interest to our
readers since its hero, Thomas Cavauaugh
was n former resident Of this city and is well
remembered hele; Very few people know
the inside history of Brstow's fight with the
express companies when he was Secretary of
the Tieosury. The express companies made
what Mr.. Bris,ow thought were exorbitant
charges for carrying currency to the great
distributing point Of the New York sub
treasury. He told the companies that low
or rate mus. ee conceded or he would take
the business away from them. The compa-
ues were defiant. This is the way the ex.
press companies were circnmvented. The
Secretary selected tfusty special agent Of
| the treasury, who simply put the currency
| IN u valisc and went over 10 New York
as an ordinary passenger on the night
train Til mas Cavanaugh, the deputy SER
geant-at-arms under the gall INT Colonel
Hooker in the House, was the special agent
selected for this work lie is a tall brOad-
shouldercd. deep-chestcd, manly looking
specimen OF humanity. Ills square, RESP
lutte, suu-browned face is acCeutuatcd by II
crisp, curling moustache, completely hiding
his mouth. HIS straight nose clear blue
eyes, and square jaws stand out in u face re-
muikable for its combination of good nature
and iron resolution. Mr.. Cavanaugh used to
set out FROM the Office OF the secretary of the
TIRE asury after night with valise simply
stuffed with Government currency. Que
night he had in his bag 800. 600 in green
backs. Every dollar ever entrusted to him
was safely carried. Not a penny was ever
lost. His pay from the treasury was his reg
ular one, 50 per day and his travelling eX-
pcnscs. lie gave no bonds for this work, as
the law recognized no such way of carrying
such funds. The secretary had absolutely
no protection beyond Cavanau! III s individual
honor. If h. had iun away with an odd
million at any timt he could not have been
prosecuted for more than breach of trust.
In the carrying OF This money, Caviuaush
carried more thun his life in lis hand. If il
were even suspected that he was carrying
such sums over in II section Of II
New York sleeper, rs an ordinary
passenger, he would certainly have
been attacked. Ii he had been robbed, moth
ing but his dcath in defending his trust
could have saved him from the scandal of
being ciassed b. many as guilty participant
III the robbery. Toward the last Cayanaugh
became very nervous. lie used to stat out
with his money in one hand and revolver in
another, hidden in the pocket Of his great
coat. \ Close coupe took him down the
avenue. III the s,ceping-car toward the last,
lie slept but little. Some one WAS always
reaching across his gashcd throat for the
money placed in his trust. l. was u grca,
relief when his dreadful responsibility ceased
and he was able 10 60 back to his regular
duties. To-day Cavanaugh is again carrying
Government money. lie is the Ollie Il who
brings from the Treasury the money called
for hy the Office Of Sergeant alarms WHEN
the members are pail. Bank cashiers and
other persons holding positions OF hiah trust
could iiud much to learn from the rugged, UNI
assuming integrity Of Thomas Cayanaugh