Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-02
TWENTIETH CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
JANUARY %, 1925.
RETRENCUMENT

/
The resolutions are as follow:
" /. ReS0lred, That il is cXpedient to discharge
the National debt without unavoidable delay; TO
accomplish which desirable object, resort TO a
general system of rerenchmentis necessary. This,
it Is conceived, can only be effected by
First. judicious reduction of the number OF
officers receiving salaries of pay from the Gene
raj Government, and of the salaries Of such
necessarily retained in the pubic service; avoid
ing in each instance, the adoption of any measure
which would be incompatible with our national
dignity.
Second. BY avoiding each and every appropria-
ton Tor expenditure OF public money which is not
Inperiously demanded by the justice Of the claim,
or the necessities of the government with a view
TO ITS efficient operation in spirit OF Republican
simplicity and economy.
2. Resotred, That the matters and things con-
tained in the foregoing resolution be referred TO
the Committee of Ways and Means, with instruc-
tons TO this House what Offices, in their opinion,
may he most advantageously discontinued, and
what salaries will reasonably bSar reduction, and
such other means of retrenchment as to them may
seem necessary"
The following is sketch of the remarks which
Mr. Chiffon yesterday made ON the subject ofthese
resolutions
Mr. Speaker: The resolutions which have
just had the honor 70 submit, contemplate, in the
ilTst place, the establishment of one grand nation
al truth-a truth, indeed, Of automatic character,
TO wit: that national debt is a national curse
and should, hence, be liquidated and discharged
with all convenient despatch. This doctrine is,
indeed, not only unlike, but the reverse of that
some members of this community. and which, to
some extent, it would seem, has received our
sanction, by our conduct; but experience, the
most trusty Of all monitors, has at last explod-
ed the heresy, and the American People begin to
look with fond concern to that shrine, upon which
they will be able TO proclaim themselves Politi-
eoEy, Chilly, Pehgiously and Morally free.
The remainder OF my proposition divides itself
fr4n 49,, Z
cations under the general maxim, first attempted
to be established, and designed TO designate the
means by which its object can be accomplished.
The third relates merely TO the Committee of this
House to which the whole subject-matter should
be referred To each of these considerations
shall attend; but, Mr.. Speaker, am constrain-
ed, by remark, which fell from nv honora-
bic friend from South Carolina, (Mr. McDuffe J
10 lnYert, TO some extent, the order in which /
should have considered them and first TO speak of
the Committee to which the reference should be
made. The gentleman has said that the Commit
tee OF " Ways 4 Means is already oppressed with
business, and would have, perhaps, not sufficient
Tune TO devote 10 an undertaking elaborate
One, indeed, which, from its character, fur
nishes neither point at which to commence nor
conclude the inquiry. Sir, am conscious of the
many difficulties which ever will attend this in
CURRY; hence, am bound to agree with nv friend
when he says that ii viii be work of much time
and great labor. Great will be the labor attending
the Investigation; but greater far the necessity
which exists Tor It. can assure the honorable
Committee TO whom l have proposed this refe-
renee, that, so far from designing to accumulate
burdens upon them-and so far from my proDosi-
tons being dictated by any unknd feelings to-
wards them-it was designed and should be con-
sidered one of the strongest marks, and most con-
elusive proofs OF my regard for its members, and
confidence in their entire capabity to prosecute
so difficult, so unpleasant an inquiry, through all
the maZes which will necessarily attend IT, /
would further remark, sir, that have examined
the rules of this House. and am satisfied that TO one
OF two Committees the resolutions must be referred
-for example, to that named or to the Committee
on :" the Public, Expenditures" have chosen
the former, without the slightest disposition to re-
fleet on the latter, believing, in addition to what
have already urged, that the investigation or in
qniry falls strictly within the pale of the authority
oil TIE hrst, as defined and marked out by vour
rules have proposed reference to a standing
Committee, sir, for another reason. II i. that
those Committees generally made up of the
most experienced and able members of the House
Oh such as expcrimenally acquainted with
the vast machine of Government. and can tbc
more easily detect that part which fails TO perform
or performs badly its duty; or which operates as a
detriment to the general scheme sir from the
remote distance at which have been reared from
the seat OF GOvernment-the seat of authorize and
patronage-cOuld not be expected to cornprehend
IN all its parts and in all its minuCae a system Sc
complicated. / have, nevertheless with the adj.
vantages OF an humble education, and but limited
oPPV' tuiis, Ocen dOie 10 OiSceTD that public
hdence is often abused; and public money inces.
sanity squandered, by means, and in shapes beyond
my numbering.
| Sir, am conscious tlat, as Young man. and q
new member of this honorable BODY 70 its Ienitv
alone shall be indebted for the devotion of a fey
moments OF its time 10 a view Of this subject
which, when submitted by me, must stand or fall
/ upon ITS intrinsic merits dement's. a suppes-
ton has been made, that, in submitting a resolr-
/ ton OF this character, should specifically name
the officers whose services l would dispense wifi,
/ the salaries would reduce, and the expenses
would curtail. All this would | do: and more Il
in my power But, sir, if were able to do this
the necessity which exists tor a reference at all
would be altogether superseded I could tbcn
move with a bin, directly embracing my view
but, in the present case, am situated as is the
physician, who knows his patient 10 be diseased
yet knows not where the disease is located nor the
remedy which will heal it,
Mr.. Speaker In relation 70 that part Of nv re-
solution which supposes the existence Of greater
number OF officers who are receiving pay or sala-
\ RES from the Government, than are necessary Ia
attend to its concerns, am guided and influenced
by the long list which is annually presented to this
Rouse am further influenced in the formation
oil my opinion, by information received from vari-
Gus sources, entitled 10 my confidence aud to the
coincidence oil the nation; that there are many sin
ccWts M ONCE; men, sir, who, 20 give the plain
Enelish Oh the matter, arc Teasing and fattcning
upon the Treasury; rendering, IN the mean time.
no services, nor, indeed, having any TO render IA
inc country. If gentlemen seek for specification
/ under TINS general remark Gas il may be consi.
/ dered) would observe, that 7 am informed our
! Navy List IS crowded that, at West Point per
haps, from thirty TO fifty Cadets have been cduca-
ted at the expense Of the Government, who are
wholly destitute OF employment; that Fifth Au-
ditor was appointed, for time which has Of course
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