Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-28
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W Y,
that Reform and :" Rerenchnent' were as vigorous
y prosecuted by Gen. Jackson the warmest friends
ofpurity aud reformation could desire.
We should be surprised, had this assertion come
from some men; not surprised, at its coming
from the Hon. Speaker.
What definition Mr. Speaker Stevenson attaches
TO the word Reform we have no means of knowing
It is comprehensive term, and has different sig
MITIGATION with nearly every man who uses it. But
the word "Retrenchment admits of 40 such latitude
of definition. 1t has but signifiation and that
means reduction Of expenses. Men may differ IL,
their ideas ofReorm," but it is possible for them
TO differ in their understanding of what eRetrench-
ment" means We will let ssReform" then pass, as
not presumng to know what the Hon. Speaker means
by it, and confne the questions we propose to ask
him, to the "Retrenehment' which he says is prose
cuted with much vigor and success.
We ask Mr.. Speaker Stephenson then, ,oliat re-
trenchment in the expenses of Government has been
made by the now Presidcnts We presume that MIR.
Stevenson would not hazard an assertion of fact
without at least colour pretext oftruth to sup
port it.. What then are the facts which he assumes
the basis of his assertion? In What department OF
the Government, has the Retrenchment been made,
What supernumerary Offices have been abolished?
What overgrown salary has been reduced? What
contingent expenses have been wholly saved, or d.
rninished i'll part?
Will the Hon. Speaker answer these questions:
He will not. lie knows--no better---that he
cannot answer them, without betraying the ridiculous
infciency of the facts upon which his assertion was
thrown lie supposed, before ignorant multitude
none of whom were prepared cared. to controvert
the statement--or without betraying that it was
made at random, cd ca,tandn,, without single fact
to sustain it. we beg Amos Kendalrs pardon--.we
beg the Hon. Speakers pardon---we had forgotten
the immense saving to the nation of $40 per. annu,
effected by Amos In the subscriptions to newspapers.
Is this the ''Retrenchment' that Mr.. Speaker Ste
yenson rieans?<
We have had a curious eye upon events at Wash
ington. 1t is our business, and we have not neglec
ted it, to watch the progress and of the
administration we'll of all public events of inter
est. There may be retrenchnent of which we have
never heard; but most certainly, have seen
or heard of any other instance of it, but that con-
summatcd by Mr. Kendall and Mr.. Isaac Hill
in stopping newspapers sent to their Offices, the
aggregate amount saved by which to the people, is
estimated at Sl2o per annum This is the instance
and the only instance of ''Retrenchncnt" This is
venson with his usual modesty and circulnspection
tells the people Of Hanover, that Retranchmcnt" is
advancing with vigor and success! The gentleman
with his usual candor omitted to say any thing of the
$4,000, gratuitously given his friend Mr.. Moore
to do that, for which Gen. Harrison had already been
paid the sunni 1t did not suit his purpose to
state this, because it was extravaganza and not re.
trenchment.
How long will the good people of Virginia permit
themselves to be hurnbugged 10y such miserable arts
as these! The grossest and shalowesi and hollow
est. that surely ever used TO hoodwnk any peo-
pie.
we said nothing the bject pending the election
for Congress for their district aud shall there
fore BIO understood as desiring to influence popular
feeling against AIr. Stevenson We wish to avoid
speaking Of that gentleman altogether, but with a
free Press in our hands, we cannot avoid holding Up
such unfounded statements 70 the discrimination and
condemnation, of the people or the District.
"fcerenchment."---Mr. Speaker Stevenson told
the people of Hanover-who however did not be.
lieve him-that Gen. Jackson was fu6l]inr the most
sangune expectations of 'FRetrenchment" and ere
FORM formed by the patriotic. To be sure, Mr..
Speaker descended to no particulars for the purpose
of corroborating his statements--thcse were to be
taken upon trust-upcn the ipse dzit of Mr.. Speak.
or Stevenson. The credulity of the people it was
imagined, would swallow any thing told them By SO
eminent parsonage, as the Speaker of the House
Of Representatives. How stand the .faets,
Amos Kendall and Isaac Hill have stopped some
Is 20 newspapers, the price of which al the most
liberal estimate, does not exceed 500 per annum
Per contra Gen. Harrison in November last
was paid $4,000, salary and outfit, as Minister to
Colombia Before Gen. Harrison got to Colombia
before be had time to render the equivalent for
which the money paid him, he is recalled and
the Government put to the new and wastefl expense
Of $4,000 more, to equip Mr. Thomas Moore oFfran-