Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-16
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
FEB. Is. 1880.
Dyohsps0n 10 the House.

moxko OF nv upon euUlCCt ctuUfaCeu iu tSSo
lotion, but, sher the opposition which had met from
The psofessed advocates Of Retrenchment and parti
culsrly the manner in Which It had been spoken OF,
he fsk l. due to himself and particularly due to
tho Committee, Of which he was member, 10 vindi-
este ths propriety Of the resolution. y
Il shouh not be forgotten. Mr.. SfEAxSB, (said
Mr.. WycxLurE,) that, about this time two years.
We vsse Engaged in the discussion OF the original
resolution Of my colleague, (Mr. CBILros No, sir,
I am mistaken. behcve part Of his resolution,
except the word "Resoleed was agreed to, or adopt
ed BY the House. The resolution. agreed to. wss
predcsted UPON the idea that there had existed and
chen existed many abuses in the administration Of
affairs Of this Government, that the number of officers
nd public agents hsd been unnecessarily multiplied.
aud that many Of them might be discontinued with
sdvsntsee 20 the public interest.
viii not stop 20 characterize the discussion upon
that resolution. Il bitter and acrimonious, and
strongly delneatcd BY the political line which then
divided the House Of Representatives.. committee
organized to Inquire into the supposed abuses.
and TO provide the remedy for the evils which were
supposed 10 exist. Of that curRmittec, Mr. WrcK-
said he had been member, and of the manner
10 which they discharged the duties assigned them,
u was not becoming in him to speak One thing,
however, he must be permitted to soy. that its lsbors
we're arduous and unremitting, and 1t good did not
cUme Of them, IL would not be the fault OF the COM
mittce but OF those who had the power and failed to
carry into operation the principles and measures re-
commended by their report. Time was allowed
that Congress III indeed the political complexion of it
favorable for the purpose) to upon the mea-
sures recommended. The work was left unfinished
for the workmanship of the coming Administration
and this Congress, when it was believed there would
be disposition between the Executive and the lie
representatives. Of the People to harmonic and unite in
tins business Of Retrenchment aud Reform. I mean
that Retrenchment which the People desire--the re-
trenchment Of cxtravagaDt expenditures of public
money-;he prevention OF frauds and peculation
upon the Treasury, and the abolition Of useless OIL
GERS.
Sir, We obtained power avowng these principles
dnd il abandon them, we shall lose it; nav,
sir, we shall deserve to lose it, and the people Will
abandon US.
Al the commencement OF the present session, the
President in his Message, had distinctly invited the
Representatives. of the People to inquire Into the
condition Of the Government, with view to ascertain
what Offices can be dispensed with, what expenses
retsenchcd, and what improvement may be made in
i0 various parts, to secure proper accountability of
public agents, and promote efficiency aud Justice in all
its parts" This regard as his pledge to the nation
to cooperate with the Representatives of the People
IN all measures which may be designed to promote so
desirable an object and, far may depend upon
hs exertions, have no fears ofthe result. COM
mlttee for this purpose has been organized by this
House, and that committee have determined 10 take
up this business where their predecessors left it; and
SO Tar as It may depend upon their abors to prescribe
to their friends in power the rules, and exact
trDm them the same rigid observance of law, and
Just economy, which we required of our opponents.
il that he6uhf St aetaec. a 9%siasN< ssa
family receive, the ridicue and contempt of those
whom the people have deprived of Office and nower
With these opinions said Mr. W., assumed the dis
charge OF the duties Of member of the Committee
ON Retrenchmeut, mot very envable station for INV
person to occupy, and one which did not scek:) n
station which certainly would have declined + T
had been induced to believe that was to encounter
every STEP the opposition of some Of the members
o! That party which was the nation to
int operation and full effect the principles of the re-
port Of 1929 The committee intend to be novern.
cd not only by the SPIRIT but the letter of that report
and leave The responsibility upon Congress. Their
a raj ,opIo "
Gently, they must act in DETAIL and though some OIL
the measures which they have, and may Recommend
appear uncomfortable IN amount in pecuniary point
OF view, still they part ofthe SYSTEM and if fairly
end candidy examined, will be found based on sound
policy and principle.
Mr.. SPEAxkR,I must be allowed to saw. rnot !, tho
nngoage Of comPlaint,) that the measures which the
committee have recommended and esrec;.l,n ,b
one now under consideration, have not been f,;,iv
met, OF appropriately characterised by the LANGUAGE
which has been invoked in their discussion. 7 w,lI
excuse my colleague, who claims the parental guar
dlaHshp Of 'etrenchnent, upon the savage pri5cnie
that man may abuse his own offspring with imbu.
nifty. fo
The former committee, when instructed 10 Ioo,
INFO the expenditures of the House, with view "a
dmiDution Of them, found this officer fastened ill.,
wat upon the contingent fund. They called e., ,bo
raw authorizing his appointment, and were pointed ~
this resolution of 1824-5.
"Resoired, That the Speaker Of the House be nv.
thonzed to procure for tho use of the House comics
Of the different maps and plans of Roads and Capois
which have been, or may hereafter be. executed bv
the United States Engineers, in pursuance Of an
act OF the 3osh April, 1924, to be deposited n some
convenient place for the inspection of tho ma,nha, "
That committee came to tho conclusion that there
was no law OF authority in force which justified tho
longer continuation either Of the Office or the expend
ture-thatit was not safe sound to permit snh
ordinate officer Of this House to create an offee an.
Poiht the officer fix his salary, and charge il upon
The Contingent Fund The present Committee was
q, me same opinion They deny the right of the
CLERK OF Speaker of this House to create an Office
appoint the officer, and fix the salary of Al 500 10
the Office, not only without law, but against law
70 the principle involved in this resolution md
concern upon the decision Of this question. MAJ |
learn whether in this business OF reform there bo ans
principle. look at this question uncounec,ed with
ine supposed utlty and importance Of the services
heretofore or hereafter to DO performed and in,I
those gentlemen who have persuaded themselves or |
permitted others to do so, that the labors IN bo no.
formed, and which have been performed by this of;
eT,0r nd