Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-19
RICH ,UND. JANUARY ~. I8e2.
~ TIE EDIroRs-DArAD
Jyashinofon C;iu Isb Inn 1909


Washington City, 18th Jan. 1909
The proceedings of Congress have as yet
resulted IN no act of general Importance. We
have had, however, a very considerable, and
TO me interesting debate, on a part of Il bill
making as it purportcd partial appropriation
for the service of the presen, year. Ii turned
out however, that S 10000 of this sum was
to supply deficit in the appropriation of
the contingent expenses OF the Indian De-
partment. 1t struck me with some surprise
on It's introduction, that whilst we have print
ed reports and documents on every trilling
individual claim, this bill calling for an APP
preparation OF about 5 100000 was ushered
into the House without one word of expana-
ton accompanying ii. After near a fortnight,s
uepate, we shall by piece-mcal get mforma-
ton, which would have caused the hill to pass
more than a week ago: For il will turn out
believe, that great part of the debate has
oeen carried on with view to prove that the
Secretary of War did not understand it TO be
ms duty to do, what in fact it will appear, |
suspect, that he eudeavored to accomplish
This will be called, by those who are in "a
vor of dumb Legislation, a waste of time. But
whose fault is II ? Perhaps may be incom-
petent to say: Tho it appears To me, that
When money is called for by the a6minisra-
non orany department of if, TO supply deficits
III appropriallons,and especially appropriations
Tor contingent expenses, full and satisfactory
explanations as To the causes of the deficit.
ought 10 be given without asking for il. NAV
1orDear to act for want OF infurmation but he
VINO calls on me to do thing, should shew
that am In duty bound to do ill., or furnish
me with reasons TO Justify my conduct. In
this discussion, departures AS conceive, from
correct principles have been, shewn perhaps
TO- have taken place under every ad,ninistra-
ion but, precedents should never sanction
such departure; on the contrary, they, lin
my OPINION, induce the stronger necessity of
recurrence TO principles.
=" In the progress of the discussion above
alluded to, and indeed on several other occa-
sons. II may have been plaiaIy discovered
that the subject Of our Presidential election.
already begins to have some effect on the
proceedings OF Congress. There cannot be
call Tor Information from any department, hut
the friends of the officer at the head of il I'M
medlately take the alarm. This is certainly
TO be regretted tho must confess that
am IN favor of an early investigation OF The
Claims vi the candidates for the presidency
IL seems To me that { the subject be suffered
10 pass without being agitated il puts II In
the power of intrguers and caucusses sudden
~ to give to the public mind tone which il
lslmPosslble TO icsist. In such case the pco-
pie are dictated to, and lend their sanction 10
confirm choice which Others have made and
not very iaiiy perhaps, for them. But it
must De truly unfortunate for the President
mat his cabinet consists almost altogether of
rival candidates. 1t is scarcely in human ma
ture IN such state of things to move on
without jealousy and Earring.
lew days past the memorial from Nor
toik on the subject OF the West India rcstric-
ion acts, was presented; and am glad to
perceive that you are about 10 move in the
same business in your city. There has GER
tainly, believe, been change of opinion in
Congress on that subject: but how far that
change may extend, am unable at this time.
to form Il judgment. Their acts have been
IN operation sufficient time, without produc-
ing the effect expected from Them to con-
vince every one think that the experiment
must fail For myself have ever regarded
them as cooperating with Great Britain ip
promoting The objects of her colonial policy
and have therefore hardly ever hoped ia
yorable result. 1t is now whispered about.
however, that there is solne ground for ex-
pecllng favorable issue-that our minister
IN u. Britain gives encouraging information,
ana That we have only TO hold ont little
longer, aud our hopes Will be realized, Sc |
regard this as all a hum bug. Our minister
may have mistaken for indications ola dispo-
silIon to relax on the part of g. IL. what ought
not IN truth TO be 50 considered, or he NAV
have been dnprd, or il may he an attempt 10
dupe others. Politicians are very reluctant
TO acknowledge that they have been in an err
for, and are not unfrequently from mistaken
Pilde oi opinion induced TO perseyere in the
support OF course ofmeasures, long after all
hope OF realizing the effects expected by them
at the time OF their adoption, has failed Such
iIear VIII be the ease in the present instance