Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1828-02-02
NattonaI Gomgress.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
TUEsD>,Y, January O.
RETRENCHMEN:r.


National Debt without oabe delay; 10 accomplish
winch desirable object resort TO general system O
retrenchment is Necessary This is conceived car
only be effected by
First, judicious reduction of the number of Off
GERS receiving salaries pay from the General Go
vernment, 1ad OF the salaries Of such are nee
" retained III public services avoiding in each instance
Inc adoption OF any measure which would he iuconpat
IDLE with our national dignity.
Second, By avoiding each and every appropriation
or expenditure of public money which is not inperi-
ons'y demanded the justice Of The clam. or the ne
cessi,ies of the Government, with view 10 its efficient
operation in spirit ofrepubican simplicity aud econ
ony.
1 Q. Resolved That the matters and things contained
IN the foregoing resolution be referred to the commit tee
OF Ways and Means with instructions report 10 this
House what Offices in their opinion may be most adj
vantageousy discontinued, what salaries will reasona
bly, bear reduction, and such other of retrenc
uent as to them may seem necessary. Y
the resolution hav.ng been read,
Mr. MDurFIE Chairman of the Committee of
Ways and Means said that he should he glad TO hear
some specifications of the objects which the mover
of the resolutions wished to direct the committees at
tention He should be sorry if the committee of ways
and means should be obliged to revise the whole sys-
TEN OF Government OF the United States the civil de-
partment, the army, and the navy. The abstract PRO-
positions in the resolutions certainly Just. Ii was
very desirable that the unnecessary expense of the Go
vernment should be reduced that the public debt should
be paid; aud, that economy the public expenditures
should be promoted But really, the resolutions now
Stood he should feel at a loss where 10 begin, or
where to end Ii the honorable gentleman wished to
diminish the number of military officers lie ourit TO
have directed inquiry by the committee on military
affairs. If he DESTROYS OF reducing the number of
ocers OF the navy, rather of preventing their uu-
necessary increase. the resolution ought been
sent to tue committee naval AFFAIRS but did not ap
pertain TO the committee of ways aud means, TO saw
whether the several branches of the public establish
ments were, were not too large.
| Mr. CHILToN, In reply TO Mr.. APDuifies inquiry,
and support and PLANTATION of his propositions rose
| and addressed the House as follows
| Mr. SPEAKER: The resolutions which have lust
had the honour to submit, contemplate, in the first
place. the establishment of one grand national truth
TRUTH indeed of automatic character, wit: that a
national debt is national curse and should, hence
be qaidated and discharged wiih all convenient des-
patcb Tbs doc rnc is, indeed, not oRfy uil but tile
reverse of that which las been contende ed for by
members of this community and which, TO sumo xt.r,
Fit would seem. has received SANCTION by our
duct; but experience the most rusty of all monitors
has at last expialsd the heesy, and the American
pie begin to lock with fond that shrine up
which they will be able proclaim ttemse elves Po-
Miccliy, Grizzly, Reiigious!y, and YUoraiiy Free.
The remainder OF ms proposition divides itself into
three parts. The two frs: specifications
der the great MAXIM Gist attempted TO be established
and designed TO designate the by which IFS OBJ
lect DE accomplished The third relates els 10
the Committee of this House to which the whole subject
matter should be referred. To each of these conste-
ra tons shall attcnd but, Mr.. Speaker, am con-
strained by remaik which fell from my honorab bic
friend from South Carolina, Mr.. McDuifeI 10 inver
10 extent, the order in which should have coDsi
tered ,he,n and first TO speak of the Committee 10
which the reference should be made. The gentleman,
has said that the Committee of ''Ways and Means, is
already oppressed with business, and would bave per
haps. not sufficient time 30 devote an undertaking
so elnbora;e-one, indeed whch from its character
| furnishes neither point at which 10 nor
conclude the inquiry. Sir, | am of the ma
ny difficulties which ever will attend this inquiry;
hence, am bound TO agree with my friend when he
says that it will be work Of much time and great la
Dor. Great will be the labor attending the investga
h,r
/ | can assure the honorable Committee TO whom have
proposed this References that, far from designing
| accumulate burdens upon them-and SO far from my
| PROPOSITIONS being dictated by any unkind feeling to-
wards tiem-it designed and should be considered
of the strongest marks, and most conclusive proofs
of regard for IFS members and confidence in their
capabity TO prosecute difficult, unpleasant an
inquiry through all the which will necessar lily
attend it, ! would further remark, Sir that have
examined the rules OF this House, and satifcd that
of two Committees the resolul must be re-
ferred for example, TO that named TO the Committee
on the s'PuUiic Expenditures" have chosen the for
mer without the slightest disposition to reflect on The
latter, believing in addition TO what have airead,
urged, that the investigation inquiry falls sirctl,
within the pale of the authority Of the first defined
and marked out by your rules. have proposed ref
erece standing Committee, Sir for another rea-
son. IL is that those Committees generally made
up OF the most experienced and able members Of the
Iiouse--ofsuch expermentalIy acquainted witt
the machine of Government g. the more easily
detect TINT part which fails 10 perform performs
badly its duty which operates deriment 10 the
geneia scheme. /, Sir, from the distance al
which have been reared from the seat of Govern
ment--the seat of authority aud paironage--couh not
be expected 10 oomp ehend, in all its paris and in al
lis ninua, system complicated. | have. never
tIeess with the advantages of an humble education
and but limited opportunities, been able TO discern
that public confidence is often abused, aud public
ney necessarily squandered, by meaus and in shapes
beyond my numbering.
Sir, am conscious that, az young man. and anew
roenhor Of fljs honorable body. to IFS iPny alone
shall be indebted for the devotion Of few moments
its time TO view ofths subject which, when submit
ted by me- must stand or fall upon lis intrinsic meI
or dement's. suggestion has been made, that, IL
submitting resolution Of this character, should spe
officially the officers whose services would DIS
pense WITH the salaries would reduce, aud tie exIeD
scs would curaii. al this would DO; and i
10 my power But, sir, if able to do tbis-tb'
n necessity which exists for a reference at all, would
: be altogether superseded. ] could then OF
~ with bill. directly embracing nv vews-bnt, il