Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-03
NEW YORK SUB-TREASURY.

Assis'ani.Treasur. Acton Refuses TO sHr-
render Treasurer Jordan Takes Possession.
(By telegraph TO the Dispatcn.I
NEW YORK, January 2.--Thomas G.
Acton, Assistant Treasurer Of the
United States in this city, received
letter December 80, 1885, from Secre-
tary Manning ordering him to turn over
his Office to Mr.. G. N. Jordan, Urea
surer Of the United States this morn
ing. Acton at once obtained the fol-
lowing opinion from Messrs. George
Bliss and Elihu Root
NEW YORK, December 30, 1885.
To Hon. Thomas C. Acton:
Sir,-We advise you that your term
Of Office expired on December 20, 1885;
that you have since been holding over,
and that your relations in this respect
will not change on January l, 1886;
that sou have no legal right to turn,
over your Office and property in your
charge TO any person not nominated by
the President and confirmed by the
Senate, and that you cannot safely obey
any order so to do. Noperson not con-
firmed by the Senate as your successor
can give you q proper receipt or release
you and your bondsmen from the
responsibility Of turning over the
office to a person not confirmed
by the Senate. In order that the ope-
rations of the great office Of Assistant
Treasurer should not be brought to a
standstill you would doubtless, as a
good citizen, feel disposed to obey any
order to that effect, but as the opera
tons of the Office have gone on for ten
days since your term expired we see
no reason why they may not continue
in the same way for a few days until
the President and Senate can act. In
view Of these considerations, we hardly
think that the authorities at Washing
ton can be contemplating the action re-
ported by the press but it would be
well for you to call their attention to
the views entertained by yourself and
your counsel.
The following letter was delivered to
Jordan this morning at the Sub-Trea-
sury in answer to his demand for the
surrender Of the office:
JANUARY ., 1886.
Hon. G.. N. Jordan, Treasurer Of the
United States
Dear Sir,-I have received a letter
from Hon. Daniel Manning, Secretary
of the Treasury, directing me to sur
render the Office Of Assistant Treasurer
Of the United States to you. You now
desire to take possession Of this office
and of the various funds in my charge
as Assistant Treasurer, basing your
action upon the letter Of the Secretary Of
the Treasury, and demand from me my
consent to and cooperation in this
action on your part. In reply, ! have
to say that am here ready to continue
the performance Of the duties of this
office and cannot assent by word or
act TO the assumption of the conduct
or control of this Office by any one
not appointed by the President
and confirmed by the Senate as
my successor. You have caused
yeur seal to be placed upon the
vaults containing the funds to make the
necessary payments from day to day,
and thereby interrupt the performance
by me of the regular everyday and ne
cessary duties Of the office. If this
interruption is relieved | shall be glad
to act in the Office in the same manner
that have done since the Goth day Of
December, ultimo. If this is not per-
mitted TO me. whatever shall be done
by you In regard TO the business of
this Office must be done without my
assistance or assent and against nv
protest. No one can regret more than
| that the action Of the Government
to furnish successor to me
in the office of Assistant Urea
sury has been disappointed and that
embarrassment to the public
business should possibly occur but |
have no right by any act or omission of
mine to jeopardize the rights or in
crease the risks of my bondsmen.
l am, sir, your obedlent servant,
THOMAS G. ACTON,
Assistant Treasurer.
Mr.. Acton made no further objection |
and Mr.. Jordan took control. For an |
hour no bushes was done, the vaults
being under seals placed there on Thurs |
day by Mr.. Jordan. Finally Mr.. Jor-
dan, at ll:40 o'clock, broke the seals |
and commenced business.