Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-03-15

I~
to the president of the United States. 1t
is denominated executive influence: by way
of analogy, and in conformity perhaps, to
the practice in Great. Britain, where the
crown, being proprietor of Offices, distri-
butes them at will, among favorites. But
the state OF things is different in this coun-
try. Here the executive has no proprietary
interest in the Offices, which he distributes !;
he does not create them he does not, ex-
cept In a few instances, even designate the
amount of emolument. AL these, in fact,
proceed from the Legislature. We are the
creators; he is the channel for communi-
eating them to their objects , so tina, if the
emDers of this aud the other branch ofttc
legislature BECOME venal in this country,
they are, 10 say the least, half workers in
their own corruption. A mode Of expires.
sion ought not, therefore, to be used tend.
ing to throw the guilt, exclusively, on ano.
Their branch of the government. Another
phrase is more just and appropriate. Sir,
1t ought to be called pecuniary influence.
The love OF money wrapped up in very thin
covers and disguise, called Offices for our.
selves, and Offices for our relations.
l shall consider the principle of this a.
mendment and proposition in relation to
the constitution, its nature and necessity.
1t we look into the constitution, we
shall find no part more palpably defective
than 1t, provision against the effects of that
influence, as it is called, result.
ing from the power of distributing Offices,
at pleasure, among the members of both
branches OF the legislature and their rela-
tons. There is, think, but one provi.
sion upon the subject. This is contained
in the following clause of the last para
graph OF the sixth section of the first arti.
Gle: No senator or representative shall,
during the time fer which tie zoas elected,
be appointed to any civil office Under the au-
Mor1ty Of The United States, zuhfch shall
have been created, or the e~moiuments zphere-
ct stall have been Increased, during such
ttme." This provision I say, considered
as a security against that corruption, which
springs from the distribution of Offices, is
paipsbly detective. La relation to its OBJ
Jects, It Is limited, aud in its means wants
efficiency. What are its objects? 1t aims
only to prevent multiplication of Offices,
and increase OF their ~emolument. SO that
provided We do not create new Offices, nor
increase the old ~emolument, the craving spi-
rit OF avarice has free range to solicit and
corrupt both branches OF the legislature.
All the numerous allurements of existing
Offices, all the rich reward of established
salaries, are permitted to play their be-
witchlng destinations before our eyes. So
long as a man Ices not attempt to take the
fruit ofseed ofhis own sowing, he may bo.
tauize at his pleasure, in this great execu.
tive garden, and whether he seek howcror
fruit, he may, to the full, please his fancy
or s%atiate his appetite. And if we consider
the means, it Wilt found that they are in.
adequate. There is but one limitation
i" during the time Jfor which he rvas elected"
What is this, considered as security 1t
is scarcely less than totally inefficient. Not
withstanding this provision a man may,--I
say may, Mr.. Chairman, forI would not
be understood to affirm that any such crea-
ture now exists, or has ever heretofore APP
peared in this, or the other branch of the
legislature but / speak of the possibility
of chat gross and debasing corruption, such
as has appeared in other countries, and may,
therefore, hereafter appear In this,-a man
may be a mere spaniel TO the executive, he
may fetch and carry, run upon all his err
rands, and, at his whistle, roll himself o.
yer on these floors, without regard TO Ell
Their coat or conscience, and on the last day
of the term, for which he was elected, when
perhaps he has been elected from the pro-
Plies favor, as foul and 'odious, he may, in
spite of this provision, be instrumental in
creating an Office, or increasing an emolu.
ment, of which the very next day, he shall
take the profits. Is NOT such a provision,
considered as a security against corruption
from the distribution of Offices, like tanta-