Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-12
HE HASAMINDO OF HISOWN
TRENHOLM ANSWERS A PLEA
FOR SCRIBA'S RETENTION.

New York Bankers Told Potnt-Blanh
That the Comptroller Is Capable az
Deciding without Gratuitous Advice
What is Best for the Interests OF the
Service.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-Mr. Trenholm,
Comptroller of the Currency, received in
this mornings mail three petitions asking
for the retention of Mr.. Serbia as Bank
Examiner at New York. One was signed
by the officers OF national banks, one by
officers OF State banks, and the third by
nine merchants. The Comptroller has
prepared an answer to the petitions, OF
which the following is copy:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1886.
Mr.. Richard King, President National
BGnE Of Commerce, and Others, NelC
York, ". T.:
GENTLEMEN: l have received your
communication dated Dec. 10, 1886, ex-
pressing your interest in having the po-
sition OF bank examiner filed by man
possessing certain qualifications and
asking that Mr.. Serbia be retained In that
position. In reply l have the honor,
nrst, to express my regret that it does
not appear to be consistent with my
official duty TO accede to your request
for the retention of Mr.. Serbia and, Sec
ondly, to explain why have reached that
conclusion. The qualifications which
you name are undoubtedly necessary, and
feel bound to take care that they are
possessed by whoever may DO assigned to
MIR. Scrlba's office. 1t is not conceivable
that Mr.. Serbia is the only person who
either possesses, or is capable of very
soon acquiring such qualifications, and,
therefore, there can be no insuperable
difficulty in adequately filing his place
so far as these qualifications are concerned
All persons interested in national banks
may depend upon my profound apprecia-
ton of these things, and my earnest nur-
pose to see that their interests are i'll
every way protected and promoted.
L should fail In justice TO myself If
should omit to point out that while am
in position to judge somewhat of the
manner in which bank examiner dis
charges so much of his duties as come
under the immediate observation of the
officers and directors of the bank, that
such officers and directors are not In a
position to judge correctly how a bank
examiner discharges that part of his duty
which comes under the observation of the
Comptroller Of the Currency alone, Tor |
cannot suppose that any of the signers of
the communication now before me have
Serbia to this Office. Ii he has made
practice of exhibiting such reports, which
L do not for moment suspect, he
has been guilty of a breach of duty
which would alone require his immediate
dismissal, but as / feel bound to assume
ne has not exhibited his reports to any
oIe, then | submit with great respect
that the gentlemen who have signed this
paper have not had an opportunity to
judge as to whether or not l oughJ to be
satisfied with the manner in which these
reports are made. While L could not re-
tain my self-respect nor would l be
worthy of the confidence due to whoever
occupies this Office if | should be deferred
from making change in any examiner
snip by reason OF the number or eminence
of advance petitioners, who, as in this
case, have not had an opportunity OF form
ing opinions based upon knowledge,
permit me also to call your attention to
what ! regard as an absolute bar to &C.
ceding TO the request, even II l were not
as firmly persuaded as | am that time
will show that my course is judicious
one, and it is this: Ii there is any case
in which the relation between a RESPONSE
BILE officer and his subordinate should be
exempt from the interference. not to say
the dictation, of other persons, whOmso-
ever they may be. it is undou btedly the
case Of the Comptroller of the Currency
and the person employed by him to ex-
anime national banks. II the precedent
should be established that an examiner
holds his office by tenure of
popularity or the favor Of bank Off
GERS, or public sentiment averse to
official changes, there would be. in my
Judgment. a fatal blow struck at the
efficiency of the whole system of examina-
ton and there would be introduced a
principle that would actually cripple the
service and eventually destroy it's value,
both to the public and to the banks. |
submit this matter to you, gentlemen, be-
cause you are as much interested in the
examination of banks out OF New York as
you are in those over which you SO ably
preside. l feel sure you will perceive
that in this view the good OF the service
requires that the hands of the Comptrol-
Ter OF the Currency should rather be
strengthened, so as to enable him to ap-
point, govern and remove examiners free
from all Influences, except those which
work for the elevation and improvement
of the service. Pressure, whether po-
litical, social or financial, Is a dangerous
element to be introduced into so delicate
an adjustment as that Of the relations be-
tween the Comptroller and national bank
examiners.
TRENHoLMs BANK VIEWS.
Comptroller Trenholm will appear be-
fore the House Committee on Banking
and Currency next Wednesday by invi-
tation to expound his views relative to
the national banking system. Several
members of the committee express a de-
termination to secure action II possible
upon some remedial measure touching
the relations between the national banks
and the government.