Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-10

Some more hberul policy than that which low
" -als, in reference to this unfortunate class of
items, Is certainly due to them and would prove
brueIicial to the country. The continuance Of
the liability, after the discharge it have
been exhausted, can only serve to tlsprit the
debtor; or, where his resources are but nornl the
want OF power III the Government TO compromise and
release the demand, nstgaes fraud as the only re-
source Tor securing support to his family. He thus
sinhs INTO state OF apathy, and becomes u useless
urone IN society, vicious member of IT, if not feel
ing witness OF the rigor and inumanty of his coun-
try. All experience proves that oppressive deb, is
the oane al enterprise; and it should be the care of
NepuonG not to exert grinding power over mistor-
Since the last session of Congress numerous frauds
on the Treasury have been discovered, which
thought 1t my duty TO bring nnder the copnizancc of
tne United States court for this district, by criminal
prosecution 1t was my opinion, and that of able
counsel who were consulted, that the cases came With
IN the penalties of the of the nth Congress- up
proved Sd OF March, 1923, providing for the punish
ment OF frauds committed on the Government of the
Onited States Either from some defect ia The law
or IN ITS administration every effort to brin the ac
cuscd to trial under its provisions proved intellectual
and the Government was driven To the necessity of
iesorting 10 the vague and inadequate provisions of
the common law It is therefore my duty to call YOUR
to the laws which have been passed for the
protection of the Treasury. If, indeed there he no
provision by which those who may be unwortbilv
entrusted with It's guardianship, be punished fir
the most fragrant violation of duty extending evcn t
the most fraudulent appropriation of the public funds
to their own it is time to remedy so dangerous an
OMISSION Or II the law has been perverted from its
original purposes, and criminals deserving to be nun
shed under its provisions, have been rescued bv c,
Isubttes 1T ought to be made plain by arnendato-
y PROVISIONS as To battle the arts of pcrversion and
accomplish the ends of its original ems ct1neut
In one of The most ogrant cases. the court decided
that the prosecution was barred by the statute which
limits prosecution Tor fraud TWO wears In this
case all the evidence OF fraud, and indeed all know
ledge that fraud had bcrn committed were in ms
nnn a.,
years had elapsed. Surely the statute ought not IN
run IN favor o any man while he retains all the evi
dence OF hs crime lii his possessions aud least of
all IN favor Of public officer who continues ,o do
fraud the Treasury and conceal the transaction for
the hric1term OF two years. would therefore rccnn
uenn such an alteration Of the law as will n,n Tho
injured party aud the Government two years after the
disclosure of the fraud. after the accused is OH, n
office, to coIpIpence their prosecution.
In connection with this subject invite the utten,io,
OF congress To general and minute inquiry into the
condition OF the Government; with u view tn ascnr
tain what offices can be dispensed with what expense
retrcnchcd, and what improvements NAV be made in
the organization OF It's various parts, secure the
proper responsibility of public agents. and promoe
efficiency and justice in all its operations
The report of the Secretary of War will mako van
acquainted with the condition of our ARMY Fortifcn
tlons, ArSenals, and Indian Affairs. The nroner dc
clphne OF the Army, the training and equipment OIL
the Militia, the education bestowed at West point
and the accumulation of the means of defence ,nn
cable to the Naval force, will tend to prolono Tho
peace we now enjoy and which every good citizen
more especially those who have felt the niseres of
even q successful wartaTe-uruSt ardentlv drSr, -
perpctuate. ~
Phe returns from the subordinate branches of ,,;
service EXHIBIT regularity and ordersnighiy creditabe
to itB character both officers and soldiers seep -;
oueu with proper sense of duty, and conform "a
the restraints of discipline With that ceerSI
ness which becomes the profession of arms Tbere
IS need, however, of further legislation, to obvyt.
tue inconveniences specified in the report under con
sldsraaon: to some OF which it is proper that should
call your particular attention,
The act OF Congress Of the ID March, 1921 On r
duce and Tx the military establishment, remain;nr IN
executed as 1t regards the command of one re tho
regiments on artillery cannot now be deemed guide
to the Executive in making the proper APPOINTMENT
an explanatory act designating the class of Officer,
out of which this grade is to be iled-wletber to-
the mi'eTy iIs as existing prior to the act of 1891
or from IT. as 1t has been fixed by that act-wonjI
remove TINS difficulty 1t is also por tant that the
laws regulating the pay and emoluments of off cers
generally should be more specific than they nov are
Those for example, in relation the Paynastep ana
Surgeon General, assign to them annual salary of
two thousand five hundred dollars; but are silent 90
to allowances which, in certain exgencies of the SER
vice, may be deemed indispensable to the discb.rg.
OF tneIr dulles This circumstance has been the an
thorlty tor extending to them various allowances ~
different times under former administrations: but no
uniform rule has been observed the subject
similar inconvenience exist in other cases. in which
the construction put upon the laws by the public nc
may operate unequaly, produce confusion
aad expose officers to the odum of claiming what j.
DOT their due.
! recommend to your fostering care as one of our
safest means OF national defence, the Military Acade
my. This institution has already exercised the happ
Est influence upon the moral and intellectual char
acter OF our army and such of the graduates as from
causes may not pursue, the profession of arms
wii be scarcely less useful citizens Their know
euge OF inc military art will be advantageously en-
ployed in the militia service; and. in 1eosnro S
cure to that class oftruops the advantages which in
thls respect, belong to standing armies
would also suggest review of the Pension Inv
,oI me purpose OF extending its benefits every Re-
Voutionary soldier who aided in establishing ntr Ib
critics mud who unable maintain himself in com
iort. These reIlcks of the War of Independence
avc strong claims upon their countrys gratitude and
bounty The law is defective, i'll not embracnn with
IN It's provisions all those who ere during the last
var disabled from supporting themselves :, manual
iaooE Such an amendment would add but little 70
le amount OF PENSIONS and is called for by the svn
pntnleS OF the pcODle r.,