Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-02-26
.Cnsaaresslotral.
OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
RETRENcHMENr.
Speech of M. Ripes of pirp;inia.


Speech Of Mr.. Rires of Yirpinia
Mr.. Rives said, that in embarking upon the wide
ocean OF debate which lay before him. he hardly
knew from what point TO take his departure, or in
what direction to steer his course. BIT as some
chart was indispensably necessary on so extensive
voyage, he would endeayor to take the resolu-
tions upon the table for his guide, with no other
devlations than the stress of antecedent debate
should unavoidably force him into. In pursuing
This course OF discussion, he should very much re-
greet; II any thing he might say should excite a
single unpleasant sensation in the bosom of any
member of the House. or be considered. i'm any
degree, INDIGENOUS or diSrcspectful towards any
menlber OF the government. L may truly affirm
SAID Mr. X, that entertain none other thar, the
hihuest feelings tor every gentleman with whom
nave me honor to be associated upon this floor :;
anu towards the members of the administration
however much may be politically opposed to
Them, have never harlored the slightest senti-
ment OF iil-will or personal antipathy. But, as
guardians oil the public veal, and sentnels of the
paolc liberty, II sometimes becomes our duty here
to speak unpGIdtGbIe truths. In doing So have
always endeavored 10 separate the private from
the public characters of persons in office: and
while reserve TO myself at all times, every legi-
innate freedom OF remark upon their official con-
quot, hope shall never say any thing which
would be just cause Of personal offence TO them
or their friends.
In this spirit, proceed to the consideration of
ihe resolutions upon the table. There are two
contemplate an inquiry into the eXpediency OF re-
uenching the future expenses of the government
and an examination into its past disbursements
Sir, am decidedly friendly to both of these OBJ
Jects. nut, as means of efJecting them, prefer
the resolution recently submitted by nv friend
from South Carolina, (MSs Hamilton,) because it
Is more speeihc and practical in its character and
because It proposes to employ the instrumcntality
OF special, instead of a standing Committee Sir
am persuaded, from the extent and magnitude
no. tsof.c
Quoted by any OF the standing Committees already
burthened with pre- existing duties hope, there
lore, that the proposition of the gentleman from
souih Carolina, will receive the support of every
heart.
Though it is rather old-fashiouad doctrine, Mr.
Speaker, am one of those who hare the cause of
Tctrenchment really at heart. believe there is
great occasion for it. IL is now twenty-five years
since there has been any systematic reformation in
the organization and expenses Of the several De-
partments Of the Government. The reformation I
aliude TO was at the commencement Of Mr.. Jefer-
sons administration, when it thorough and
complete. Considering the tendency of all GOV
eTnments TO abuse, to the accumulation of unne-
cessary expenses, and the incumbrance of useless
Offices, cannot doubt that there has arisen much
since that period which requires correction. The
tree of executive patronage is continually throw
ing out new shoots and branches, which as con-
stantiy call Tor the application Of the pruning
knife.
While the gentleman from Massachusetts (NIr
Everett) assented TO the general tendency Of all
governments to abuse, he said that the abuse, TO
which this government was most prone was the
abuse of Parsimony. Sir, this idea is contradicted
by the whole history of the operations of the GOV
eminent; and little reflection will think. salts
fy the gentleman himself that his notion is falla-
ciouS: HOW are the expenses of this government
supplied! by direct impositions upon the sgreat
body oil the people No, Sir; if this were the
case, 1t would be some check upon the extrava-
gance OF the government In the State govern
ments, whenever new expenditure is authorized
the means OF meeting that expenditure must be
provided by direct taxation upon the people TIN.
tax-gatherer goes annually to the citizen. and ex
acts from him his share of the public contributions
II he finds that share greater than il was the wear
before, he knows by whose act il is so : he de-
mands of his representative the reason Eor H. and
unless that reason is satisfactory, he disnsses him
and chooses another. II is this direct and uudis-
guised operation OF the system Of public revenue
under the State governments, which renders the
representative practically and constantly response
BILE to his constituents, and this responsibility il
sufficient security against prOdigality in the gov
eminent.
But in this government, the revenue which
supplies the public expenditures is not drawn into
the treasury directly from the pockets Of the peo-
pie, although they Ultimately paw it, They nav,
it however, in the shape of am increased nrice fr
the commodities they consume, and instead of ira
cling that increase OF price an act Of the eoveru
ment, they generally look no farther titan the
merchant with whom they deal In this wsv. the
imposition is disguised and the representative Is
screened from responsibility. Hence il is, that
we vote millions Of dollars here with not so much
hesitation or cOmpunction as we vote thousands in
the State legislatures. 1t is for this reason, that
the tendency OF this government so long as the ma
tiona revenue is derived principally from external
duties, will be to profusion and extravaganza and
not, as the gentleman from Massachusetts, suppo-
ses, to parsmony.
These general considerations sufficiently indicate
to my mind, the necessity Of some revision of tbe
expenses Of the government, with view 10 re-
trenchmcnt But the gentleman from Penn, (Nfr.
Sergean said that some basis ought to be laid for
the inquiry. What, Sir Docs the gentleman re-
quire actual proof Of the existence of abuses, This
proof cannot be had without inquiry. IL then, we
can take no iDitatory measure for the correction
OF abuses, without previous proof Of their exis-
tence--as that proof cannot be had without maui.
ry and as, according 20 the doctrine Of tie gentle
man from Penn, no inquiry upon The subject ought
10 DC made without proof-abuses must ever re-
main uncorrectcd. The effect Of the doctrine is IN
shelter the abuses Of government with an inyiola-
bic sanctuary.
But, Sir, the honorable gentleman suggested a.