Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-13

favoritism 10 individuals which ends in injustice
To the public. We shall expect the Departments
re-moddeled, more especially the Treasury, 10
The elfec, OF securing more perfect accountable
~, and greater simplicity, IN auditing and set
ting claims and charges upon the government,
and coercing more prompt payment Of the pub
lie dues. We shall expect that they will do us
the favor not 10 give TO al cGptundnaa resolutions
passed by either House, the sanction aud potency
OF laws; that they viii! limit our diplomatic inter.
to the wants 1.-THE country, not 10 the wasn't.
ofindvdua!s, that they will NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
ati0ns TO specific purposes; that tey will circum
scribe the estimates for contingencies those salient
aud copious of all corruption s render them
as specific as the nature OF the service viii
quire; and, lastly, that they will abstain from the
costly operation OF eiecuouce,ing through the le-
gisation of the country, OIL great public questions,
which excite sectional cupitity, and end in Sec
tional Injustice. We expect all these things, and
do PROMISE more for my party than they will ac-
complish, VIXEN say that they will be performed?
trust not, sir. Ii DO, then will every pledge
be violated which We have given TO the people, and
we shall deserve fate which viii DO incyiia-
bly, certain as it win be unLeniably just.
3dly. That retrench;nent Of the fixed and con-
tingent expenditures oil Congress, is indispcnsibly
necessary; especially the last which are es-
sentially liable TO abuse.
Mr.. Hamilton said, these retrenchments af-
fected the House ITSELF lac trusted that their sue
ccssors would give earnest of their sincerity by
beginning where they could best signalize, no,
only the disinterestedness, but the usefulness of
their iabors. Congress w after all the Augean Sta
ble, which required something more than a COM
mon lustration. Its expenses had increased, were
increasing, and ought TO be diminished. That
Committee had reported bill! to limit the duration
OF the long session to four months, which, on a
fair computation Of the mischievous legislation
which would be prevented, would save at least
from three TO five millions of dollars annually: to
say nothing OF the minor savings which would
arise from diminished per diem to the members
and attendants on the House. They had also re-
N IN Al n, ct,rE of y,
nent OF the subordinate Clerks, and TO place their
election immediately under the control Of tie
House, that they might annually review, not only
the number, hut efficiency OF their officers The
contingent expenses, however, OF the House were
the objects which most require, not only its vigil
lance, but its own seli-denia Notwithstand-
ing the SCOTS with which the iabors of the Com
In,itee on Retrenchment have been treated on one
side OF this House, il is distinctly in proof that the
reforms which they recommended al the last ses-
sion, and which were adopted, have resulted in
clear saving to the government OF 20 per cent. OH
the large item OF printing, which annually amounts
TO about seventy thousand dollars per aniuin.
This is attacking abuse in its strong hold, for any
faction in Congress (not the less faction because
II is In majority may panPcr aud subsidiZe the
press, and even proIons its precalious existence,
by voting large masses OF printing. In looking
oyer circular which fell in his way short time
since Of gentleman from Kentucky, near him,
(Mr. Chilton,) he apologies TO his constituent
for sending SO few public documents, informing
them that there was an unprecedented paucity OF
these articles this session. He, Mr. ii. begged
leave to inform the gentleman, because he knew
no one would rejoice more heartily in the result
that it was precisely the effect which the Com
mittee on Retrenchment intended to produce
That they were gratti ed their admonitions were
taken BY the heads of Departments in good part;
that instead OF some six lugubIious and
ponderous tones, they had made up their budget
In single compact and commendabie octave. He
earnestly invoked the House TO adopt the resolu-
or ,har rh,,a to
will be at least pledged, said MIR. L., 10 retrench
the liked and contingent expenses OF the House,
and 1t cannot fail TO operate sautary instruc-
ton to the new members, who for the first time,
will be summoned TO participate i'll its dc.ibera-
TONS.
Here, Sir, might stop, if did not feel that
there was peculiar prOprety in my saying, at
least one word, in relation to that distinguished
Individual who, summoned by the gratitude of
free and enlightened people, will in a few days be
called 10 preside over, tSviviIy and animate that
Executive, upon which the performance of the
high duties aud obligations have indicated, will
mainly depend: The country expects much Of
him, and much We believe he will perform
With an integrity without reproach, and spirit
that never knew fear, he has little else TO do but
on the solid foundations Of the prosperity and hap
piness OF his country, to finish that monument OF
his own glory which shall sparkle in the Ilstre of
tbe skies. That he will have able statesmen TO
aid him in council, and if necessary, gallant war
Tiors to bear our tiunders on the ocean, and to
sustain our honor i'll the field, much mat
tiers Of course, obviously TO require no comment
IL is not, however, in that pant of the vineyard
Where the laurel grows that ii will be necessary
Tor him to labor. The measure OF this poriion of
his glory is full. He cannot, in this regard. add
wreath to the garland that decoraies his brow
He must be content TO labor where no ostentatieus
glare OF renown will FURNISH and illuminate his
services; where he will have little else for hi, re-
ward but that onward sunshine oi the soui' which
will nevertheless shed its rays long after the halo
OF this worlds glory shall sink into eternal night
we have no territories TO conquer, and trust in
God we shall not have even our own to defend But
the existence OF our institutions is ia danger; inius-
tice and corruption have worked, and are working
by secret currents, which are undermining this
bond OF our union, which, with a ceaseless but an
ambitious vigilance, he must both watch and ar
rest If we are to remain a virtuous, united. and
happy people. BY adopting free forms Of go
vernment, we can claim no exemption from human
passions; the accursed thirst for gold that root of
evil, is much more likely TO destroy a republic
than even iron and steel in the hands of the most
savage, and sanguinary hordes that ever desoIated
the fairest portion Of he civilized globe And
why is it SO? Because money corrupts the very
fountains of public honor and Justice, without
when Tree government cannot last an hour To
check, therefore, corruption, not only in every
part oil the executive administration, but ia the Ie-
gisiauon oil Congress itself by hrm and uncoIn-
promising interposition of his constitutional and
eminent function, is OF the highest add most
Denehcent duties which he can discharge, not on
~ 20 the present generation, but to the remotest
posterity.
=, 10 not know, Sir, that can better conclude, |
hdn ~ reading an extract from sterling old En- |
g1ish work, with which am familiar. bnt ,yticI,
accidentally fell into my hands this morning And
py ire way, what ought to render il pecuIiarIv
worthy ofour consideration, I find that. bv refer !
ring TO the title page, the edition which hold in
my hand was reprinted in PhiIadejubia in I7z.
q he frat r