Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-06-10

subordinate chiefs OF his Departments; ana when
they reflect on the MORAL mechanism upon which
this patronage acts, with power that seems ire
-iS,iblc, they would deem their duty very made
quately discharged, If they did not propose some
remedy Tor abuses already existing ,and essentially
liable TO be augmented
Your Committee will not stop to argue what they
predicate as undenisbe fact, that, by the ev.-
poyment OF the expenditures of the contingent
iunds oil the Departments, Government pres is
to all inents and purposes, efiectuaiy established,
as much SO as II there were an annual item iii the
appropriation BILL for the purpose ofpurchasing the
Joint and harmonious action OF one hundred papers,
in the uncomprisng vndication of those in power,
and in the unsparing abuse of those who not
The danger which assais the freedom Of the press,
through the insinuation of this species Of inilu
encc, is far more serious than any star chamber
code oil pains and penalties. For i'll the latter case,
the pride of man, which revots at oppression, in
suics in the end triumphant resistance, but in the
former, the very weakness OF his nature invites a
| subluga,ion OF his independence.
This pecnniary censorship of the press must
end in its utter prostitution TO an indiscrininate
| support Of the acts of the Government, however
injurious To the rights ad interests of the People
! Relieving that no Administration, If il be wise,
virtuous and patriotic requires the aid OF Gov
crnment press, and If be not, that, precisely for
that reason, it ought not to have it, your commit
tee propose, us far practicable, the abolition OF
this franch of the Executive patronage:
LIST. That the laws OF the United States, hitherto
printed under the directions Of the Department OF
J State should be printed under that of the Clerks
OF The Senate and House OF Representatives.; and
that they advertise for ctracts 10 print them, Civ
ing the contract To the lowest bidder, according
to the usual securities provided in all Of pub
! lie contracts
IDLY. That the Secretary of State shall desig-
nate such printers rs appointed by the Legisa.
ture oil each State TO print its laws, to print those
OF the u States in said State, not exceeding in
each State.
! Sd. That the printers who print for both Houses
| OF Congress, shall print, within the District OF
Columbia, in their papers, the laws OF the United
! States, and the advertisements OF the Depart
mcnts.
4'ii. That the job printing, stationery, and bind
ing, OF each OF the Departments, shall be furnished
by contract; proposals tor which shall regularly be
advertised for in the public prints and according to
the usual provisions attending such contracts; the
contract given to the lowest bidder.
ath That the distribution fthe laws of the u
| nitcd States, by public carriers, be abolished and
that the former practice of transmitting them by
mail be adopted.
9th. That one and all the Departments be lin
i'ed by specific and moderate appropriations in
subscribing for newspapers at the public expense;
practice which, in the extent to which it has
prevailed, is expensive in lis COST and not less so
IN the diversion OF the Industry OF the officers and
clerks OF the Departments; and that this privilege
be limited exclusively, 10 the head OF the Depart
ment.
committee, III tneIr lnFeSuSa-
ton OF the several Executive Departments, deem
IL necessary unequiyocaliy to declare, that they
considered it no part OF tiey duty, in examining
present abuses to seek out for preccdents, remote
! or recent, 10 Justify palliate them: that such
might have been found in some cases, in the prac-
lice OF previous Administrations is altogether pos
slole. whenever such an issue has been present.
cd TO them, the only question which they have
deemed proper for their consideration was. is the
expenditure according to law! and was it made
with due regard for the public interest? Indeed,
the existence OF such preccdents would only have
called more loudly for reform.
lTo BE CONTINUED