Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-06-28
From the National Intelligencer.
The .4cfs Of Gen. Jackson as Legislator.

No.2.
The Ordinance, No. 10 which We have adj
vrr,cd, passed BY Governor Jackson, in virtue
Of his assumed legislative power as the "lnten-
danl OF Cuba" is comprehensive IN its terms, *
abhorrent in its principles. = discloses a mind
no. only EIIltNs Ea n 1tdfrffafs" SCI 'oeft
resistance 10 anypower that could come in con-
Dict with his own. In a.legisaive act, delibc-
rately adopted, serving as the Foundation for
new system Of civil government, he spurns the
restraints h." etofore considered necessary by the
wisest Legislators o. every age, in order 10 pro-
tect the weak against the oppression OF the
strong. All The powers which he confers are
ample and unrestricted; he INDUCES no lear OF
their possible abuse; nor does he dread the ma
,ural fleet Of human infrmi,y, when clothed
vii Office, and raised to distinction too often
swelling the bosom with unreasonable pride
Authority more despolic was never assumed;
authority more despotic was never attempted To
bp delegated; and greater heedlessness in lis
exercise was never displayed, than is manifest
in The Ordinance, 10 which the public attention
has been called.
LIE, some Of its details be examined with the
attention that its importance deserves:
The FIRST and second sections confer upon
Mavor and Council, owing their creation ard
continued existence to The wilt OF Gene,a al Jack
son, with absolute power" 10 impose fines pc
nalies, aud forfritures, 5y ordinance, or other
WISE" with power TO appoint subordinate off,
GERS though more numerous than the inhabi
tants. whose subs ancs thev consume; with pow
er to fix heir paw, and the pay and emouments
Of their dependents, with no Other Limitation
to their amount han he inability o. the inhah>
itants to comply with still further exacuons, &
with power 'ro levy such axes as might, in
their Judgment, be necrs,a,y" for the support
Of this infant Vice Rovait,.
Thus Governor .cksSn, disregarding the
| truths "f history, well the admoni,ions of
the wi,sst Legislators who had preceded him,
incu Il atinP the certainty that tie possession OF
unlimited power, and accompanied by direct
responsibility 10 the People would lead to
their abuse, ot only assumestne power Of
taxing The People of florida, US he may
please, blu, Of investing his dependents with
the same despotic authority. Nay, more
he clorhes them, by hi, fiat, with sail the pow>
ers" which they may deem Unnecessary for the
good government, of the Town." ExemplifWag
the fable OF the sheep protected BY the wolves,
he c6n,igns 10 their humanity and justice, no,
merely the property, bu, the persons, the loer-
ty, and the lives, If the People of Florida, with
no other restriction than the deps ndeuce of his
agents upon himself; aud commands Them 20
b,nd or loosen, to punish or pardon, 10 impris-
on Or liherate, to fine or con6scate, "by ordi-
! nance, or otherwise" according 10 their dis
eretlon or, perhaps, more properly, the discre-
ton OF their Chief.
The manner in which these powers were ex-
| ercised might have been anticipated from the
nature OF man, prone as DE has been, In every
age, to surmouDt e, ery barrier that human
wisdom has yet devised, in order to guard a.
gainst the effects If his avarice, his ambition,
and his pride. Tn transactions Of that period,
though exhibited amidst the wids of newly
acquired territory, lying on the outskirts Of our
great CoMederaey, awakened feelings in the