Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-03-29


six bills TO check the current of executive power
with volum,nuus exposition Of G,cts and alleged
crimes. to lay the foundation OF Legislative interrr-
ence. Look at the report! One of the bills con-
tans clause to compel The President to assign the
causes for every removal from any office referred to
in that bill. II not only deemed proper then to
disclose improbable matter, but necessary TO compel
that disclosure for executive we'll as Legislative
purposes. Nr, the very course recommended at that
time is right ioT no purpose. Another Of these bills
provided that Postmaster, where the profits of
his Office amounts 10 a certain sum, shall be appon
ted to or removed from Office but by the President
and Senate The argument in favor of this bill then
pressed upon the people, was that the influence and
patronage Of the Department were so vast, that it
had become one OF the 'urbiters of human fate" in
this country and could longer be safely trusted to
a single individual The Committee. instead ofte
ling us they afraid to ferret out crimes saw
they "hold themselves to be acting the spirit of the
Constitution, IN laboring to multiply the guards, and
close the avenues to the possible abuse of power"
and the impeachabte matter which is now so objcc-
tionable feature In this inquiry then glorious
| discovery, that 5000 copies of the report were
printed by the Senate. and scattered throughout the
country we see here who were the 'spetty cousta-
bles" of that day, and if change of times has not
produced change of principle too, we shall now
proceed iearlessly in ferretng out abuses Of every
description which we can reform inhibt. II, for
doing so,we receive the appelation of petty consa-
oles, let us rely FOR reward on the app obation
OF oui conscicnces and our country, taking care to
helN no more humble tile tNdn that OF honest con
stables who never charge double compensation for
their trouble.
But it is alleged that this question was decided by
the Senate at the last session. when they refused to
inquire into the which induced the president to
sweep the list of civil officers and the aid of prece-
dent invoked to effect suppression of this nvesti-
cation. Sir, am not that this Senate has, in
the gloomiest period Of subserviency to executive
will, decided the abstract principle that even the
PRESIDENT is above the law, that his principles uf
action, while administering the constitution, not
liable to investigation know well that, in the
utive sessions during the last year, inquiries in part-
cuar cases of removal were repeatedly refused some
thinking the inquiries inexpedent in those particular
instances The power of the representatives of the
States was held in slight estimation by the advocates
of executive influence at that day, most tr,e but
even then pretended that all the subordinate
officers OF the Government should be covered with
the same agis which protected their chief. The
Bument then was, sir, that the President answer
able only to the people Who elected him at the polls,
and not to their representative s. distinction which
never bowed with any respect, and which still think
IS entitled to But the chiefs of department are
neither elected by the people the States nor an
swerable to either in any other way THAI. through
their Representatives here, by whom their whole pow
ers are conferred The Postmaster General, like the
rest OF these Chiefs officer unknown to the COLI
stituon and the creature of the law only. Congress
enacted the law which constitutes his whole authority
tor action 1t made him. 1t repeal that law and
unmake hun. Upon the very principles conceded by
those who sheltered your President from scrutiny
the Chief of this Department is amenabIe, like every
other creature of the law, to his creators And if not
then is every other executive officer of this govern
ment at all times, and under all circumstances above
the very law which established his office. You can.
not, on this principle investigate the conduct of
the most petty officer in the customs, without inva-
dung the royal preroSative and the principle that the
"kiug can do no wrong" which even England knows
only in theory, is here transferred TO every subort
nate OF the Government, until every "peltng petty
officer becomes tyrant amenable no human ,rib
unal but the will of his political chief.
There does not exist in this Government depart
ment which, by law, is held SO irresponsible to Con
gress the People the Post Office. 1t disburses
annually, from it's funds, 81 ,g32, 900 among the
people, of which S595O0O is paid Postmasters all
subject 10 be removed for smile or fr0wn at any
moment, by its chief. The sum of one million two
hundred and seventy four Thousand dollars is paid for
transportation of the mail to individuals who are
equally liable for smile or frUwn to be embarrassed
by the regulations of the Department, (snch, for in
stance as the loss OF single rip) and driven from IFS
employment. If soldier of the Revolution apply for
scaoty pitance of one hundred dollars per annum
his claim must be scrJltiniZed, and the will of Con
gress, tardly expressed sanction the compensa
tIon or IT rs lost. But how many thousands are dis
bursed by the Chief of this Department at his WILL un
der the name of extra compensation to contractors
and officers, OF which account Is rendered to Con.
gress or the People! The items composing the i'm
mense expenditure of one million two hundred and
seventy -four thousand dollars no where laid before
the public, and is alleged that in the disposition Of
1t the grossest abuses of unresraineII power have
been committed. What check, what control do YOU.
can you, now exercise this disbursement Of
the public treasure! Is there any department of this
or any other Government, whose means of controlling
public opinion are SO ample, that is subject 10 no
check or limit A nod from its Chief now creates at
any moment clerk with salary of a thousand
or fifteen hundred dollars, drives him from Office
and you are not consulted as to the propretv nf
the measures nay, you remain in utter ignorance of
the fact for the annual report does not condesceud 70
give you single item in the whole mass of these dis
bursements In addition to all this, more than six,y
three thousand dollars annually paid away TN.
der the head of "incdena Expenses will Of this Chief
OF department, and there this 0ooT who can
state be number and the sbapce the prncipa
which compose IT, All that know Of is that in the re-
port part Of the mighty expenditure nearly t,co millions of
foar which this Department annually lavses upon twenty
SIX thousand officers and agents. is stated composed of
Incidental ExPenses Sir, is possible that can escaps
thinking intellect, bow easy part of these immense sums
night be paid away 10 bircliug agent an eleconee,
o under the PTetence of public dUly it. dare il be de
neu that there are secret agents in employment, of this
het whose compensation, betrayed the public nurse
IS regulated by his sole CONTROL and services 70
made known 10 the people their Representative her Yer
IN addition to all these expenditures the Department
nuaiy tTn ne Treasury the of 81 29l dollars IN
Inc salaries OF certain officers and agents. and what are called
contingent expenses" Of the Department making the whole
iciual aisburscmeat g9gg3 95 And to oro The
cnaT, Congress asked land bill lies before me which
mas actually been reported for The purpose) increase the
d the present officers 10 known before by
more drafts on the treasury and authorize present Post
asei "enea 10 create many clerks pLeases each
larun f