Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-02

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Us the closing scene. To satisfy my own mind,
sir unaided upon these subjects is utterly out of
my power. For, If my inquiries relative to them
are answered by either persons or papers, | am
~. 10 consider 1t a matter of courtesy rather
rih Vi rght- having no official mower to approach
erner' My object, then, can only be attained by
lSu'uung SUCH an inquiry this, and by a refe-
renee oil II to some committee bold enough TO en-
1ouh'er IN the investigation thunder storm of OPP
position, though its bolts should be hurled nv ever,
lhe Great Head of the Heads of Departments.-
As my object, MIR. Speaker, is to be entirely brief
my remarks, already made, must suffice upon that
branch of the subject noticed
IL III the next place, becomes my duty TO allude,
az least. to salaries which, in my opinion. would
reasonably bear reduction Here, sir, though, /
nope WIN honest motives, am situated different
~ from some of my friendsupon this floor They
mss. ula they Know not where to seek beginning
POM nor IN what region 10 look for salary upon
Hhlch 20 commence the work or operation of re-
onc'on' l. on the other hand, know not what part
OF the body polite is most infected, and demands
the most speedy remedy. If, however, sir, | am
competed TO parhcularize, present the long list
q SdfdFieS as TT subjects for amputation AMONGST
me rest, must not neglect 10 bestow more spe-
ciiic' though passing notice, upon the pay re-
celVed by members of Congress, who are sitting
mere al 'helr ease, receiving eight dollars per day
Tor their services, and eight dollars for each twenty
miles travelled in reaching and returning from the
seat OF the General Government This sir
Is the last modification OF the ever memorable
compensation Law Previous TO the passage
Oh tIiat act Members OF Congress received, for
tnef services, only six dollars per day. We had
then councils as wise and dionifed as M present :.
ana doubt not that we should again see our Lee
gislatye Halls filled with honorable and intelh-
gent men, II the compensation were reduced. A
reason, ana strong one too-for this reduction, IS
FOUND IN the tact that our country is oppressed and
That the fruits OF domestic industry instead of price
command a mere pttance; not half so much as
when aSpirGntS for seats az Congress filled the
IG'"fS' as mere counters, withOu: the formates
The only remaining branches of this subject,
which am bound to notice, relate to the impor-
lance OF avoiding unnecessary expenditures of
puohc money, for our own Accommodation and
70 tie necessity which exists for the exercise of
caution and prudence, in making appropriations to
meet the claims of others. If ii be demanded Of
me to know, what departure from the rules of re-
publican simplicity and economy have witnessed
mere, and which conceive to fall subject TO the
llrst OF my two last divisions, by way of answer
can only request you, MIR. Speaker, to cast YOUR
eyes around this spacious Hall, each morning
upon entering it-see upwards Of 200 tables piled
"lth printed documents-private or local matters
Interesting, perhaps, only to one solitary indi-
Vidual IN the whole Union-a strinr of affidayits
certificates letters, depositions accompanied by
report as long as the Moral law vet all must
De printed! This matter, which gentlemen NAV
consider unlmportant, Is, TO my mind, a crying
| evil. Members from the East and North and
I
| ing been rocked in cradles of luxury and ease
| thlnk II small matter TO expend small sums OF
public money. But, sir, the Western PeopIe.
particularly that portion of them whom ! repre-
sent, have, upon the subject but one voice it is,
so far as I understand it, that which have spo-
KEN They have literally contributed to the sun
port o. your Government in peace-they have no.
bly, defended it in war-and are, therefore emit
ued to their weight upon this floor. say, in
thelr name, that we are gliding imperoeptibly
down the smooth and deceptive current OF ex-
trayagance and pro5igality, and steering without
change OF course, directly to the port of Nation
al bankruptcy and ruin. This argument Sir
gentlemen may attempt to answer by insistino
that my picture is too gloorny-that we are pros.
perous-that universal peace prevails-that oui
nation Is powerful-and that, therefore. we may
indulge to some extent in extravaganza. Permit
me- sur to suggest, that industry and frugality no.
Incidence and prodigality, the legitimate pa
rents OF national prosperity that financial abiity
preserves peace-and that the worst OF all indie
pendent conditions, in either peace or war is that
IN which nation is placed, having nothing "a
depend upon
Mr. Speaker, I must close with but few adj
dluonal remarks In the present condition of our
national affairs, having all the advantages Of reye
nue., derived from the duties upon im,,orts and ton.
nase-as also from the sales of public lands. ans
other incidental sources of rcvenue-we can ms
struggle on, gaining nothing upon the current i
! II gains nothing upon us. But, Sir, should the
dark cloud OF war gather over our heads and be.
gin TO burst in loud thunders upon our happv couD
| try-parIcularly when our commerce shall by it.
effects, be cut of, and our public lands exhausted
let me entreat gentlemen TO inquire how. ant
where, they will obtain money to support the Go
Vernment, seeing that we wade deep in time o
peace and prosperity.
| Sir, by the course which 1 have taken upon thi
occasion, may expose myself to the censure o.
members upon this floor II 50, | shall great,
regret 1t: as my object is, to promote my coun
| trys happiness, not to injurc even its humbes
! supporter. Upon this occasion, have discharged
a duty which owe to my constituents redeem
ed pledge which j conscientously gave them
and having 50 done, with the most grateful feel
/ ings 10 the House for its polite attention. take m,
seat
! Mr.. Barney desired not to be considered as want
ing in courtesy to the honorable member from
hentucky, when rising in opposition 10 the refer
ence OF the resolutions 70 the Committee of WAY,
and MeaPs, inasmuch the Chairman Of tina
| Committee had expressed his unwillingness tha
they should be thus referred. and their merits
could be tested by the discussion which would be
thus elected.
/ lie was unwilling that the House should, by it.
deliberate vote, sanction a belief that the purity oil
our Republican Institutions were contaminated by
prodiga and wasteiul expenditures of the public
money, calling loudly for reform in The Admins
uaton OF our Government and ne would here
disclaim all intention Of provoking necessary dis
cussion, by Introducing the term Administration
IN political sense, his impress ions HAVING uni
iormly been that that Administration was hest
which was best administered. n we sanction
this reference cannot fail to confirm an impress
sion attempted to he made 10y lavcivious poet
who passed few weeks i'm making a rapid tour
through our country, and remaining three or four
days IN the Capital-certainly not as long as the
honorable member from Kentucky has been in
his soat-on his return 70 his native land thus dc
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