The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-12-17

scheme has worked well. IL has exceeded
ibe hopes ofthose who devised II, and be-
come an object of admiration 20 the world
We are responsible 10 our country, and "a
the olorious cause Of self government, for
the preservation of so great a good. The
great mass oflegislatlon relating TO our in
tcrnal affairs, was intended 10 be left
where the Federal Convention found it
ia the State Governments Nothing is clear
or, in my view, than that we are chiefly IN
debted for the success Of the Constitution
under which we are now acting, to the
watchful and auxiliary operation of the
State authorities. This is not tho rehec.
ton Of day, but belongs to the most deep.
iy rooted convictions of my mind cannot
therefore, too strongly or too earnestly,
for my own sense of It's Importance, warn
YOU against all encroachments upon the
legitimate sphere of State sovereignty.
Sustained by It's heaithful and inyigorating
influence, the Federal system can never
full
In the collection Of the revenue the long
credits authorized Oh goods imported from
beyond the Cape of Good Hope are the
chief cause Of the losses at present sus-
tained. II these were shortened 10 six,
nine, and twelve months, and warehouses
provided by Government sufficient to re.
ceiye the goods offered in deposite for sc.
cur,y and for debenture; and If the right
of tho United States to a priority OF pay
mont out of the estates fits insolvent debt
ors were moro effectually secured, this Q.
vii would, in great measure, DO obvlated.
An authority to construct such houses, IS,
therefore, with tho proposed alteration
Of the credits, recommended to your at
tention.
II is worthy Of notice, that the laws for
the collection and security of the revenue
arising from imposts were chiefly framed
when the rites of duties on imported goods
presented much less temptation for Illicit
trade than at present exists. There is rea
son to believe, that these laws are, in some
respects, quite insufficient for the proper
security of tho revenue, and the protection
of the interests of those who are disposed
TO observe them. The injurious and de-
moralizng tendency Of a successful system
Of smuggling, is so obvious az not to re-
qure comment, and cannot bo too careful.
" guarded against. therefore suggest
to Congress tho propriety ofadopting eific.
lent measures tn prevent this evil; avoiding,
however, as much as possible, every un-
necessary infringement Of individual liber-
ty md embarrassment Of fair and lawful
business.
On an examination Of the records Of the
treasury, have been forcibly struck with
the large amount Of public money which
appears to be outstanding. OF tho sum
thus due from individuals to the Govern.
mcnt a considerable portion is undoubtcd
iy desperate and in many instances, has
probably been rendered so by remissness
in the agents charged with It's collection.
BY proper exertions, great part, howev-
or may vet be recovered; and, whatever may
be the portions respectively belonging to
these two classes, il behoves the Govern
mont to ascertain the real state of the fact.
This can be done only by tho prompt a
doption Of judcious measures for the col
lection Of such rs may be made available.
Il is believed that very large amount has
been lost through the inndcquocy of the
means provided for the collection Of debts
due to tho public, and that this inadoquncy
hes chiefly in the want of legal skill habit
ually and constantly employed in The di-
recton of tho agents engaged in the ser
vice. 1t must, think, be admitted, that
the supervisory power over saltS brought
by the public, which is now vested in
an accounting officer Of the Treasury, not
selected with view to his legal knowledge.
and encumbered as he is with numerous
other duties, operates unlayorably to the
public interest.
1t is important that this branch Of the
public service should be subjected To the
supervision Of such professional skill as
will give il efficiency. The expense ut
tcndant upon such modification Of the
Executive Department would be justified
by the soundest principles of economy. |
would recommend, therefore, that the du-
ties now assigned to the Agent Of the
Treasury, so far as they relate to the sup
crintondenco and management Of legal
proceedings, on the part Of the United
Statcs,b transferred to the Attorney Gen
cral, and that this officer be placed on the
same footing. in oil respects, as the heads
Of the other misunderstanding like
compensation, and having such subordinate
officers provided for his Department. as
may be requisite for the discharge ofthcse
additional duties. The professional skill
of the Attorney General, employed in di-
recting the conduct of Marshals and Dis.
trct Attorneys, would hasten the collec.
ton Of debts now in suit, and. ho,,atter,
save much TO the Government. 1t might
be further extended to the supernte ndencc
Of all crimina proceedings for offences a.
gainst the United States. In making this
transfer great care should be taken, how
ever r,that the power necessary to the Treas.
ury Department be not impaired: one ot'iis
greatest securities consisting in a control
over all accounts, until they arc audited or
reported for suit.
In connexicn with the foregoing views,
( would suggest, also. an inquiry, whether