Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-02-21

ing, Ia complete IL, although we are now
arrived within less than two weeks when
the whole work was.to have been COM
pleted in a strong, neat aud workmanlike
manner nor can your committee sup
press t.Ieir regret AT discovering enormous
sums OF money paid III advance, on cou-
tracts which either do or ought 10 lave
withheld payment OF large sums, until the
completion OF the work
Bat no part OF this unaccounia5le bu-
siness has more particularly drawn The al
teRtion OF your committee, than the I'M
portant services and expenditures of The
confidential agent o: superintendent Or
rls Paine, who some time in the wear 1916,
dor the particular time Is not specified,
when with view of eXpediiing The
work 10 be done, aud of securing lis faith
fui execution" lie received his appoint
menD has expended in repairs OH the Ca
pltoi and Improvements on the public
square, the sam of s p ,27G GO CENTS. 4
few more such fruitful agents, aud the
state is insoivenl forever Your commit
Tee cannot appreciate the services, or re-
cogniZe the superintendent bun are al a
loss winch nost 10 lament, the oHionat or
miSdpphcatiOm of the supposed expenditures
IN repairs of tie capitol, when they daily
see the inferior of that building, lolting,
fciency Of Tic exterior: nor is the statue
of Washington in HIS land Of his birth,
III the midst 81 his fiienhS, and some still
remaining companions of his dangers ami
partners oi his glory, sheltered from the
pelt.ngs oi lie storm and incicmencies of
tile season; tie powers, funds aud unl-
mted confidence vested in the exec uilve,
aided by The adJutant general, as Inspec-
tor OF pubic editiceS and property in ihp
city of Richmond, the strength OF tue
public guard, and vigilance of the super
lntendant of improvements, TO The con
trary nolwi,hslandiug-No, your com
miiier cannot recognize this Snpe,intea-
dan, although the questions 10 be settled
beiwiXt him and principals, are OF great
interest 10 this country; because they be-
lIeve the authority given by the law III
ihls case, was specific, and the confidence
personal, al least official; they cannot
therefore see the Justice or propriety of
transferring them TO an agent, suprrin-
tendant o: OTHER name, on whose attach
ments The legislature may have no lien
Tor whose principles, honor, or honesty
the Legislature may hold no guaran! etS
anu WHO, As IN tins instance the Suprrin
tGndant appears 10 have done, might act
without the knowledge, consent or even
beyond the coniroul of his principals
for, we are told by the communication
from the executive cit is proper further
30 add. that by report now under conSi-
deraiion az 4 committee, appointed by tie
executive ;oeNamine into the transactions
OF The superintendent, large sans OF mo-
ney hhVc been appropriated and diSburs-
ed without any directions by the cxecu-
tive, t1pe,tt not That to be council. J or without
any contracts, under which (ifanv) those
III fas...
10, or sanctioned by them"
Now, how any individual should have
been able thus 10 worm himself into the
confidence, and identify himself with the
interest and views of one branch Of this.
or any other government, so as ultimately
10 transact and manage the business. eX-
ciuNWely and conhdenIiaily transferred
| 10 mat departments, moi only without, hui
IN defiance OF their authority, YOUR com
| mIitee are unable te conceive, without
| attribuiIng great assiduity and address 80
| the individual, or want Of due regard
and attention to the discharge of official
| duty in that department to The adop-
ton of the latter alternative, Your com
mittee cannot be driven but by a comb
nation OF most undeniable and stubborn
| facts.
ResOlred, as the opinion ofthis commit
~ ttidi u 10 ApfulSHi 10 make dilN
farther appropriation for the Improvement
| OF Tie capitol square, than is necessary to
fulfil existing contracts made by The Ex-
ecutlve, until All the work required by
| those contracts shall have been cumplei-
ed, and full statement laid before the
| General Assembly.
ReSolced, That the Executive be re-
| qnesied To take immediate measures to
coerce the individuals with whom they
have entered into contracts, respect
ing the Improvement of the capitol square
to complete the same as speedily as pos
sible
On motion of Mr.. Blackburn, Ordered.
that the said report be laid upon the ia
bic; aud that $50 copies thereof be print
ed for the use of the members of the
General Assembly.
Engrossed bills" TO amend and OK
| plain an act, entitled On act farther CON
tinulng and amending the act entitled
an act for reducing into one the several
acts concerning executions, and for the
relief ofInsolvent debiOrs''>-" Incorporate
lBga company To establish a COMMUNE
cation between the waters Of Roanoke
river, and those which fall into Chowan
river, and the rivers and other water
| courses intermediate between any of
them and The river Poiowmac"--" con
| corning Thomas Cunningham Sc
veraly read third time and passed.
An engrossed bill" increasing the
salaries Of the officers Of the peniicufiq-
ry'-was read third ,ime-and, on mo-
ton of Mr. Davis, Resoired, that thief ar
thcr consideration OF the said bill be post
poned until the 3lst of March next.
a motion was made by MIR. Ri,es, that
the first report OF the committee ap-