The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-12-16

a expo0oe9, beSWoou tno PerSoos VI Svn
trHcting, to meet the demands created by
the rapid growth and extension Of our
Rourishing country: yet the satisfactory
assurance is given, that the future reven-
Tie Of the Department will be sufficient
to meet its extensive engagements. The
system recently introduced, that subjects
its receipts and disbursements to strict
re equation has entirely fulfilled its design
Il gives full assurance of the punctual
Transmission, as well as the security OF
the funds of the Department. The effic- |
iency and industry Of its officers, and the
ability and energy of contractors, Justify
an increased confidence in its continued
prosperity.
The attention Of congress was called,
on former occasion, to the necessity
of such modification ofthe office OF At
torney General ofthe United States a
would render it more adequate to the
wants Of the public service. This result
ed in the establishment Of the Office o
Solicitor of the Treasury; and the earli-
est measures were taken TO give effect to
the provisions Of the law which authoriz-
ed the appointment ofthat officer and de-
| fined his duties. But it is not believed
that this provision, however useful in it.
self, is calculated to supersede the ncces-
siiy Of extending the duties and powers
oithe attorney Generals office. On the
contrary, l am convinced that the pub
lic interest would he greatly promoted
by giving to that officer the general su-
pcrintendence Of the various law agents
OF the Government, and Of all law pro-
ccedings, whether civil or criminal, in
which the United States may be interest
cd, allowing to him at the same time, such
a compensation as would enable him to
devote his undivided attention to the pub
lie business. think such provision is
alike due to the public and to the officer
Occasions Of reference from the differ
ent Executive Departments to the Attor-
ney General are of frequent occurrence,
and the prompt decision Of the questions
so referred tends much to facilitate the
despatch of business in those Depart
ments. The report of the Secretary OF
the Treasury, hereto appended, shows
also branch of the public service, not
specifically entrusted to any officer which
might be advantageously committed to
the Attorney General.
But ependently of those considera-
tions. this Office is now one of daily du-
ty. 1t was originally organized, and
its compensation fixed, with a view to
occasional service, leaving to the incum-
bent time for the exercise Of his profess
sion in private practice. The state Of
things which warranted such an organi-
zaton, no longer exists. The frequent
claims upon the services Of this officer
would render his absence from the Seat
of Government, in professional attend
ance upon the courts, injurious to the
public service and the interests of the
Government could not fail to be promoted
by charging him with the general super
intcndence of all its legal concerns.
| Under a strong conviction of the Just
ness of these suggestions, / recommend
it to Congress to make the necessary
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 officer might al
so be intrusted cognizance of the cas-
es of insolvency in public debtors, espe-
cially if the views which / submitted on
this subject last year should meet the ap-
probation of Congress, to which / again
solicit your attention.
Your attention is respectfully invited
to the situation Of the District of Column
bia. Placed, by the Constitution, under
the exclusive jurisdiction and control of
Congress, this District is certainly enti-
tied to a much greater share Of its con-
sideration than it has yet received. There
is want of uniformity in its laws, particu-
larly in those of penal character, which
increases the expense of their admins
tration, and subjects the people to all the
inconveniences which result from the
operation Of different codes in so small
territory. On different sides of the Po-
tomac, the offence is punishable in une-
quail degrees; and the peculiarities of
many of the early laws of Maryland and
Virginia remain in force, Notwithstanding
their repugnance, in some cases, to the
improvements which have superseded
them in those States.
Besides remedy for these evils,
which is loudly called for, it is respect
fully submitted whether provision au-
thorizing the selection of Delegate to
repre- sent the wants of the citizens of this
District on the floor of Congress, is not
due to them, and to the character Of our
Government. No portion of our cit
Izens should be without practical
enjoyment Of the principles of freedom: