The National tribune., 1900-02-22

The first Congress of Delegates chosen
and appointed by the several Colonies ana
Provinces in North America to CONSIDER
the situation and the differences between
the Colonies and Great Britain met at Car
penter's Hall. in the City of Philadelphia,
on the 5th of September. 1714. The Colo
nial Congress thus organized was IN dellb-
Grafton until the 26th of October. the same
wear. 1t then adjourned to meet May 10,
17I5. The second session continued to the
first of August Congress then adjourned
to meet Oh the 9TH of September. lI13,
From that date Ihe-third session continued
through the balance of that year. the whole
of the next year. 1176. and almost unlnter-
ruptedly during the War of the Revolution.
In the early part of This third session OF
the Colonial Congress. on the 11th OF Fen
ruary, 1776, originated the idea oil the
Treasury Department. Congress then
passed a resolution That a standing com
mittee of five be appointed for superintend-
ing the Treasury" From time to time
changes were made in the organization
during the Confederation which kept close
supervision of the finances.
In September, 1871, Congress repealed
the act appointing five commissioners.
Times were hard, the Treasury depleted,
and Congress began TO look about Tor some
brave financier who could lift the Treasury
out of the difficulty. Robert Morris was
the man chosen. He gave OF his private
fortune without limit. He was Washing
toms friend and adviser. He proved him
self TO be the man for the place and hour.
To him alone belongs the honor of having
kept good the credit of the struggling Col
onies.
When Washington had reached the mo
ment of despair Robert Morris succeeded
in getting relief from, the purses of the
French allies. He proved himself the saw
ior of his country, with Washington. IN the
hour of peril. He kept the Colonies above
water Notwithstanding all this. at the
close of the Revolution jealousies We're
rife To one man they could not give
such power. so three Commissioners
were appointed. and sop was given to
three sections of the country. The Eastern,
Middle and Southern districts each had
their man-Samuel 0sgooi, Walter Living
ston and Arthur Lee.
Robert Morris became a member of the
Convention that framed the Constitution of
the United States.
The three Commissioners did not dwell
in unity together, and The finances went
wool-gathering. The country was nearly
bankrupt when the C0nsti:ut; on of the
United States Went into effect. the 4th of
March. 1883.
During the first session Of Congress I'M
der the Constitution, which was held in
New York, an act was passed TO establish
the Treasury Department, with the follow
ing officers: The Secretary of the Treas
ury. TO be deemed the head Of the Depart
ment; a Comptroller, an Auditor. Treas
urer. a Register, and an Assistant 10 the
Secretary Of the Treasury, which Assistant
shall be appointed by the Secretary.
4 small office was created in which to
keep The Treasury accounts. This Office,
like Congress itself, was movable feast.
Acts were passed for the esta blishment of
a National Mint. the Nation was pros
tratei by long and consuming war. There
was committee appointed to devise ways
and means 10 replenish the Treasury. At
ter a fey months hard struggle an act was
passed 10 regulate the collection of the du-
ties on the tonnage OF ships or vessels. on