Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-24
DOCUMENTS
ACCOMPANYING THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT..
4th .4uditoa-'s Office.

! 4N auditors office,
| 30th November, 1929.
| S1R: Your letter of the 10th inst propanndiny p
me certain inquiries relative to the accounts of the
Navy Department, has been considered with the at
tenton que 10 the Importance Of the subject. With
the application have bestowed upon the duties OF
this office, cannot yet speak with that entire conf
dence of it's condition which would Justify irnoran,
changes, without further lights. The results of nv
observation and the opinions have formed, will
however, be communicated to you with the utmost
| fraDkness. ~
| Money is the sinews Of power, and the source of
corruption. English liberty has been considered
saIe only SO long as the powe' of grating supplies to
the King resides 10 the representatives Of the people
I-Our institutions have gone further. Here the
representatives of the people not only grant supplies
but prescribe the objects to which they shall be ap
ped' and the manner IN which the accounts shall be
kept.
1t is safe, and think, correct principle. that
the Executive cannot rightfuy increase OF diminish
the eInous'ents OF public officers whose compensa-
ton has been fixed by law. When they subjec
ted to unusual expenses in the public service, he
may grant them allowances sufficient to cover those
expenses bat ne saore. ffe Cannot rghtfully under
preteuce of paying their expenses, under cover of
communications or any other Device increase their law
ful etnoluments- Yet, the pay and emoluments oF
our naval officers are chiefly Of Executive creation
and where the representatives of the people have
hNeu them ny law the executive has, by various ex-
pedients, much increased them.
In former report, 1 stated to vou in detail fbo
course which had been pursued in relation TO tho
Marine Corps. To that communication refer Won
for all could now say in relation to that branch of
the subject.
But executive Legislation in relation TO the navy
proper, has been extensive and not less in
violation, as conceive, Of The true principles Of our
government,
An act Of Congress, passed February 25th, 1899
hxes the pay and cnolumenissof the Captains com
handing ships Of thirty two guus and upwards, nj
SlOO per month, and eight raons, per day and al
lows the commander Of squadron eight rations in
addition. The ration has been committed DIT tvent,
five cents. Hence the lawful allowance of 4 com
nander Of squadron is 1890 per year To increase
their income, the executive formerly allowed them =
commission Of q per cent all bills drawn for the
support OF theli squadron, aud more recently s2pO0
per year in lieu Of commissions, with $50 per month
or $3.50 per year, for cabin furniture. Here are
allowed by law, and $3.50 by the executive, MAXIM
their whole cmoluments deducting only wha, thew
actually pay for furniture, Si29o do not say this
is too much, considering the expenses they nccessa-
ry incur in supporting the honor of our navy in dis
tant seas and foreign ports bot might not the execu
tive, with equal right, increase it to &IO 900? Womb
it not be better-would not the Commanders feel
better receiving 1t, and the executive 10 paying II
were it an allowance made by law? The coDm9,a
t.ol price 9: The officers ta:ons is twcaty- cent?