Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-21


tirely satisfied with the constitutionality OF
the legislation. The decision involved the
payment of over 100000 and excited the
bitter antagonisnds Of all the sugar interests
of the country. Strenuous efforts were made
to induce the controller to recede from his
position, but without avail.
An appeal was taken to the Secretary Of
the Treasury, but that official frankly ad-
mitted that he had no control over the Off
cial action Of the controller. The President
was also appealed to from all sides, and 1T
was represented that disastrous political
consequences would result from the adverse
ruling of the controller, but all to no avail
The President &sclined to interfere. AL
though no one doubts the courage of Con-
troler Bowler. 1T has been broadly asserted
that he only followed the suggestion of the
President and the Secretary of the Treasury
in taking the stand he did in the matter,
and that if they were really displeased with
his action they would have taken steps
within their power to apply a remedy.
Under the act Of July 81, 1894, known as
the Dockery act, the powers and duties of
the controller were enlarged and increased.
That act reorGanized the system of ac-
counting in the Treasury Department and
abolished the offices of the second controller
and commissioners of customs, and relegat-
Ing their supervisory functions to the Con-
troller of the Treasury.
Duties Of the Controller.
Under existing statutes the controller is
not charged with the duty of revising ac-
counts, except upon appeal from the set
Elements made by the auditors an appeal
to be taken within one year by either the
claimant. the head of the department inter-
ested or by the controller himself Upon the
request of a disbursing officer or the head
OF department the controller Is required
to give his decision upon the validity of
payment to be made which decision, when
rendered. shall govern the auditors and the
controller in the settlement of the account,
involving the payment. He is required to
approve, disapprove or modify all decisions
of the auditors making an original construc-
ton or modifying an existing construction
OF statutes, and to certify his action to the
auditor.
He transmits all decisions made by him
forthwith to the auditor or auditors whose
duties are affected thereby. By the regula-
tons of the department the controller passes
upon the sufficiency of authorities to in
dorse drafts and receive and receipt for
money from the government upon the evil
de nee presented in applications for dupli-
Gates of lost or destroyed United States
bonds, drafts, checks, ETC.
The forms Of keeping and rendering al,
public accounts Except those relating to
the postal service), the recovery of debts
certified by the auditors to be due to the
United States, and the preservation with
their vouchers and certificates of accounts
finally adjusted, are under the direction of
the controller. Upon revision of accounts
appealed from the several auditors to the
controller. his decision upon such revision
is Hldi ana conclusive upon the executive
branch of the government
The above duties are in addition To that
relating to the issue of warrants upon the
treasurer already referred to.
Threatened Congressional Investiga-
tiGn.
The exalted conception of official duty
taken by Judge Bowler in the sugar bounty
cases is thorn in the side of the congress
sionai representatives of the states whose
industries were affected thereby and 1t
mas been openly asserted by several indi-
viduals prominent in the legislative branch
or the government that action will be taken
at me present session of Congress to define
ana limit the official functions of the con-
troller, so that it Will no longer be within
the power of that functionary to thwart the
expressed Will of Congress in the matter of
the disbursement of public funds no matter
what preteNt he may have for so doing The
action OF the controller in the sugar bounty
cases mas drawn particular attention to
MN as an official, and there is every indi-
cation that he will receive considera HE
attention in the debates on the regular an
preparation bills
controller Bowler said he had grave doubt
as to the consututionaity of the action
OF congress. and consequently felt con-
strained to disallow the claim suggesting
however. that the Claimants had ample
redress through the Court of Claims.
Inc suggestion was treated with disdain
ana the claimants say they prefer to lay
their case before Congress, with the hone
That that body viii take the necessary stems
TO secure the execution of its mandates. as
embodied In legsla tive enactments regard
less of the views of the controller of the
treasury on the subject