Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-12-20


like the progress Of annual disease without attracting
The attention of its GEctonarieS exciting the rcinon
sraEces of those by whom they are felt and endured
IL Is not until IN their advancement they assume the at
utude OF precrPure authority, that aggravated exam
pies arouse the nurmurs Of the ags,cvcd and admon
ish the communty's agents OF their existence II
would seem sir that such has been case in relation
10 the subjects of this resolution. II was not until the
oeieSated relationship TO the community with which
was elected by my constituents. led me investigate
the duties which il involves that became sensible Of
the defects of the financial laws OF the State and con
'nccd OF the existence of abuses which had grown
and lourished b. reason of its omissions
By the 18th section of the act concerning the CoIlec
ton of the public revenue il appears that the sheriff
or collector who is almost always the sheriff. us cred
ted by the Auditor in his account with the common
wealth. for all nsolvent delnquencies contained in
list allowed by the court his county and transmitted
ny The clerk 10 the Auditor. But it does not appesr
That tue law gives further direction TO this psuiyent
st therefore, infer that intends 10 make TO the
Wretched iDsoveut tact remittance OF the debt which
he is unable 10 pay his contrblivc share OF the cur
rent expenses OF the community spirit of indulgence
which IS an ornament 10 legisation, and cherished
trust by every Virginian. Then, sir does the com
monweath, whilst ii processes To extend the RICH; hand
OF humane hberality TO the destitute delinquent pro
pose by sinister silence give the sheriff kind of
permission right TO profit by its omissions; to huy the
sums for which he has received perpetual credit on
The victim OF his rapacy, whenever he find mite
OF property in his possession, and TO pocket the pro-
question of IT. The sheris perquisiies are eroy,ssCd
IN the law and ne should not dare put his hands ia the
pocket oil the citizen without ITS commands And vet
sur am driven TO the conviction from sources of in
formation which cannot reject that this species of ne
iarous pecuation has long been, and still continues 20
be pracced more less throughout tie State and
that whilst we have scrutinsed with minute exactness
every item IN the accounts of the hgh Erecuiiue we
have passed in silence leakage of or 10 600 dollars
greater portion of which, probably, goes annually 10
the benefit Of the sberf's private exchequer Do not
these abuses call for the rigid remedial interfe
renee oil TINS body Who will deny il? 1t is not a
inaer oil mere financial interest, il is to increase
the ways and means, TO swell the treasury of the com
monweaith that this resolution offered 10 the notice
o the house but II Is TO give light TO the dark paths of
he Official evil doer, and that rpaydetect tie lar-
pe VINO would wiring from the nsolvent the hard
nSs poverty, and take from the destitute that hath
not even that which he hathn do not believe SIR
mat thS IS an uniform aud universal practise every
county. know there are some, hope not a few of
our aching herls who beyond the reach of corrp-
OIl anu would dlSdan to take advantage Of legislative
OMISSIONS But sir, the fact is these ma-Dracses do
exist to very great extent, and is enough that am
conscious of the fact TO determine me whether shall
fold my arms IN sessness and shrink from the perfor-
nance OF my duty, meet the responsibility of the
task With regard to the subject of the second branch
of this resolution the last TO be still more de &c
uFe ard ITS eVasiVe violations still more extensive than
IN relation TO th1 OF which have already spoken res
pecting the collection of the public revenue trust
!
OF that class in the republic, whose moral condition and
P"'"ical relationship to tlIe community peculiarly
d'Hnand our guardian superincndencc; whose rights
can claim no other representation this floor than IN
The honour the integrity, the magnaniunity OF Vngini-
ans would make one more remark Is t,at the
o3ects of this resolution do not strictly within the
pale OF the duties OF the committee of Finance, as
have already limited The legal classification of the
Two Suers is different. but their Object the same 70
provide for the remedy, aye sir, and de punishment Of
oihcIai maversation, the moral turpule of which /
venture TO say sittle short of the guilt of robbery and
theft trust therefore, that they will receive com
mon direction, and hope the house Will grant the leave
which ask.
Upon Mr. Briggs motion TO refer ttorn 10 the com
mIttee of Finance, MIR. Racrae insisted on their spe-
cia reference on the ground Of their sHy of purpose
and tha one of the subjects could not be properly exa
mined by the committee of Finance. But Mr.. NJ
subsequently agreed. on the suggestion of Mr.. Mason
OF $ to division of the question, by which they were
referred to the Financial and Special committee regpec
lively.