Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-12-17


Under the late contracts, improves
ments have been provided for the SOU
thern section Of the country, and, at the
same time, an annual saving made, Of
upwards Of sevensy-,wo thousand doll
lars. Notwithstanding the excess of
expenditure beyond the current receipts
Tor lew years past, nee essarily incur.
red in the fulfilment IF existing con-
tracts, and ia the additional expenses,
between the persons of contracting, to
meet the demands created by the rapid
growth and extension of our fiourishing
country yet the satisfactory assurance
IS given, that the future revenue of the
Department will be sufficient to meet
ITS extensive engagements. The sys-
tenn recently introduced, that subjects
j its receipts and disbursements to strict
regulation, has entirely fulfilled its de-
sign. 1t gives full assurance OF the
punctual transmission, as well as the
security ofthe funds Of the Depart
.nent. The efficiency aud industry Of
ITS officers, and the ability and energy
OF contractors, justify an increased CON
hdence IN its continued prosperity.
The attention of Congress was cal
led, on former occasion, to the neces-
sity OF such modification Of the Office
OF Attorney General Of the United
States as would render il more adequate
to the wants OF the public service.
This resulted in the establishment
OF the office of Solicitor ofthe Treas
ury ; and the earliest measures were
taken t. give effect to the provisions Of
the law which authorized the appoint
ment OF that officer, and defined his
duties. Bat il is not believed that this
provision however useful in itself, is
calculated to supercede the necessity
OF extending the duties aud powers Of
the Attorney Generals office. On the
contrary, am convinced that the pub
lie interest would be greatly promoted
ny giving TO that officer the general SUI,
permitted ence Of the various law agents
oil the Government, and of all law pro-
ceedlngs, whether civil, or criminal, i'm
which the United States may be inter-
ested, allowing to him, at the same
time, such compensation as would
enable him to devote his undivided at
tentlon to the public business. think
4
public and to the officer.
Occasions of reference from the diff.
erent Executive Departments to the
Attorney General are Of frequent OCCUR
renee, and the prompt decisions Of the
jquestlons SO referred tends much to ia
cilita,e the dispatch Of business i'm
those Departments. The report OF the
Secretary of the Treasury, hereto APP
pended, shows also branch of the
public service, not specifically en-
rusted TO any officer, which might
be advantageously committed to the
Attorney General.
! Bot, independently of those consid-
erations, this Office is now one of daily
duty. 1t twas originally organized, and
It's compensation fixed, with view TO
occasional service, leaving TO the in
cnmbent time for the exercise of his
profession in private practice. The
state OF things which warranted such
an organization, no longer exists. The
frequent claims upon the services of
tins officer would render his absence
from the Seat Of Government, in profess
sIonal attendance upon the Courts, in
furious to the public service, and the
interests ofthe Government could not
fail to be promoted by charging him
with the general superintendent all
its legal concerns.
Under strong conviction of the
business OF these suggestions, l recon-
mend tito Congress to make the neces-
sary provisions for giving effect to them,
and TO place the Attorney General, in
regard TO compensation, on the same
footing with the heads Of the several
Executive Departments To this off,
Ger might also be entusted cognisance
OF the cases of insolvency in public
debtors, especially if the views which
submitted on this subject last year
should meet the appreciation OF Con-
gress to which again solicit your at
tention.
! The Richmond Wing says Of the
Presidents Message -" II is impossi-
BILE for the most prejudiccd to lay it
down, without the warmest admiration.
In lucid arrangement, yigor and con-
densation of thought, power and just
ness OF reasoning, correctness OF the
general sentiment, aud force and SIM
plicity of language, it at least comes up
to IT 1t does not excel the most chaste
and finished models Of The class Of COM
position to which it belongs. We have
no favor to ask, and none TO giye--but
thus we think, and thus we say.