There is discipline, we believe, in the Civil Service, but
it is a wonder there is. The Lords of the Treasury, having considered the case of Sir William Brown, Accountant-General to the War 'Office, agree with Mr. Stephenson, employed to investigate the matter, in saying that he did, "without any authority, or proper or sufficient inquiry even, appropriate to himself a portion of a public fund committed to his administration," and therefore declare that he is not entitled to special pension, but consider him -entitled to his retiring allowance of 2.800 a year. Clearly, the Treasury either consider that the misappropriation—subsequently repaid—was the result of ignorance, in which case they have passed a dreadful slur on an officer of old standing, or they think it was not the result of ignorance, in which case the grant of full pension must be most injurious to the service of the Crown.
Previous page
