New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-03
BETTER TREASURY METHODS.
THE NEW SYSTEM WORKING SMOOTHLY
CHANGES INTRODUCED BY THE DoCKERY COMMITS
SION SATISFACTORY TO OFFIcIALs-ITs
EMPLOYMENT OF MR.. RINEHARr.


SION SATISFACTORY TO oFFIcIALs-ITs
EMPLOYMENT OF MR.. RINEHART
tBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. Feb. 1.-The Joint Departmental
Commission has recently received from officials OF
the Treasury Department and the Department OF
Justice statements showing the working OF the ne"
system adopted in the adjustment and settle
ment OF the accounts OF officers OF the united
States who are responsible for public money and
property. and also In the settlement OF claims Tor
bounty. back pay. etc. According to all the state
ments referred to-includlng those submitted by
Acting Secretary Hamn. of the Treasury Depart
ment and by the Controller, all the auditors ana
the Chief OF the Division Of Appropriations. Esti-
mates and Warrants OF the Treasury Department.
and by the Attorney General and the officer who
has direct oversight OF the accounts OF officials OF
the Department of Justice-the new system Is
working smoothly and admirably. and requires less
expenditure of effort and money than the dis
carded one Work long in has been
brought down to date and the settlement OF claims
and adjustment OF accounts have been consider
ably expedited The Second Auditor of the Treas
ury for example. finds that he Will be able to
settl. so many more claims for back pay. bounty.
etc, In year, compared with year under
the old system, that he has asked for an increase
of $4,000 In the appropriation for the payment or
claimants whose accounts will be settled ana
certified.
Members Of the Departmental Commission, IRE
spectve OF party have expressed strong as
satisfaction account OF the manner IN WHICH
the changes in the personnel OF the clerical force
In the Treasury Department were manipulated 10
serve partisan ends. Clerks whose Abilities enl-
ciencv and long experience entitled them to con-
alteration were reduced in grade or dismissed De-
cause and only because. they were Republicans
and in their places installed persons OF no
greater merit, but often OF inferior ability ana ell
cheney many Of whom lacked experience, but VINO
were Democratic partlsans The new system
therefore was needlessly and heavily handicapped
at the outset and that it has worked so WELL de-
spte this drawback ia strong indication In its
favor The partisan acts committed In the Treas
ury Department were in fiagrant violation not only
OF the spirit OF the law, but OF repeated piedses
voluntarily made to members or the COMMISSION
by the head OF that department. and IN many
cases these acts cruelty unjust ana severe
toward honorably discharged Union veterans, the
law for whose protection disregarded ana
violated In spirit. II not In the letter for these
partsan acts however the members OF the JOINT
Commission cannot fairly be held in any degree
responsible.
There has recently been a good deal Of unfavorabie
criticism Of the new system OF accounting ana also
Of the employment and payment by the Joint COM
mission OF experts at high salaries and resolution
OF inquiry in regard to the latter has been adopted
BY the House OF Representatives MT. DockerF'
~ Missouri who OF the most active members
OF the commission In speaking OF some or these
criticisms in conversation with a Tribune CORE
spondent recently said:
There is no disposition desire TO conceal any
thing that have DONE and am glad the inquiry
ha. been made All the facts can easily be ascer-
tanned Two experts have been regularly employer
and paid-one at the rate OF 5000 year ana the
other at the rate OF s. year. The former gave
nm n place I'm which he received salary OF soo"
n wear and was also able earn 5000 or SVo
wear outside his regular employment lie has given
all his time and abilities the work OF the JOINT
Commission The latter surrendered permanent ELL
nlovment at a salary Of $500 year 10 accept the
,emporary place he now occupies at a salary Oh
,6o0 He also gives all his time and abilities 10
tho work That both OF these gentlemen are thor
oughly qualified for the intricate ana highly re-
snonsihle and important duties in when tney are
engaged results have abundantly shown AS 70 tne
s.atement that the Joint Commission has In its en-
ployment at a high salary former president OF tne
Aichison, Topeka and Santa re kailroad COMPANY
I have only TO say that Mr.. Rinehart, al tne So
iic,ation Of the Joint Commission, consented 10 as
slpervisiOn and oversight OF tnr "ol
~ Nessrs Haskins and Sells. ana to consult anu
sdvI.. with them when II practicable TO DO So
7, was well understood that he could not come 70
Washington and devote himself 70 the details OF me
wort No pecuniary liability has ever peeti IN
cured by the commission account or contrdcl
,or b,s services He has never been paid one dollar
he the commission by its order on account Oh
his services and whatever compensation ne may
Ultimately receive Will amount only 10 "A nominal
sum I may add that Mr.. Rinehart se'e.en ,e pts
relations with the Joint Commission on we 1,tn
OF last August. since when GATE he mas nav NV"
4. urtth %