The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1833-12-14

less il is found to produce more than the
necessities Of the Government call for,
there would seem to be no reason at this
time to justify change.
But while forbear to recommend any
further reduction of the duties, Beyond
that already provided for by the existing
laws, l must earnestly and respectfully
press upon Congress the importance oi
abstainlng from all appropriations which
are not absolutely required tor the public
interest, and authorized by the powers
clearly delegated to the United States.-
We are beginning a new era in our Gov
ernment. The national debt, which has
30 long been a burthen on the Treasury
will be finally discharged in the course Of
the ensuing year. No more money will
afterwards DO needed than what may be
necessary to meet the ordinary expenses
OF the Government. Now, then, is the
proper moment to fix Our system Of ex-
pendilure on firm aud durable principles:
and l cannot too strongly urge the neces-
slty OF rigid economy, and an infiexible
determination not TO enlarge the income
beyond the real necessities OF the Gov
ernment, and not to increase the wants of
the Government, by Unnecessary and
Profuse expenditures. Ii a contrary
course should be pursued, ii may happen
that the revenue of 1884 will iail short of
the demands upon it; and after reducing
the tariff in order to tighten the burthens
Of the people, and providing for d still
further reduction to take effect hereafter,
It would be much to be deplored ii, at the
end OF another year, we should find our
selves obliged to retrace our steps and
impose additional taxes to meet unnecss-
sary expenditures.
1t is my duty on this occasion to call
your attention to the destruction of the
public building occupied by the Treasury
Department, which happened since the
last adjournment Of Congress. A thor
ough enquiry into the causes Of this loss
was directed and made at the time, the
result OF which will be duly communicated
TO you. take pleasure, however, in
stating here, that by the iaudeble eSer-
tions of the officers of the Department
and many Of the citizens Of the District,
but few papcss were lost and none that
will materially affect the public interest.
rhe public convenience requires that
another building should be erected as
soon as practicable, and in providing for
1t, It will be advisable to enlarge in some
manner the accommodations for the pub
lic ofhcers OF the several Departments,
and to authorize the erection of suitable
repositories for the safe keeping Of pub
lie documents and records.
Since the last adjournment Of Congress.
the Secretary of the Treasury has direct
ed the money Of the U. States to be de-
posted in certain State Banks designat-
ed by him, and he will immediately Law
before you his reasons for this direction.
concur with him entirely in the view he
has taken ofthe subject, and some months
before the removal, urged upon the Ds:
Partment the propriety of taking that step.
The near approach Of the day on which
the charter will expire, as well as the con-
duct OF the Bank, appeared to me to call
fof this measure, upon the high consider
atoms of public interest and public duty.
The extent Of its misconduct, however .althouuh
known to be great, was not at that time fully de-
veloped by proof. 1t was not until late in the
month OF August that received from the Govern
ment Directors an official report, establishing be-
yond question, that this great and powerful insu-
tion had been actively engaged in attempting to
influence the elections Of the public officers by
means Of its money; and that in violation of the
express provision Of its charter, il had, by formal
resolution placed its funds at the disposition of its
President, to be employed in sustaining the polite
al power Of the Bank. A copy Of this resolution
is contained in the report Of the Government Di-
rectors before referred to and however the object
may be disguised by cautious language, no one can
doubt that this money was, in truth, intended for
eectioneering purposes, and the particular uses 10
which il Is proved to have been applied, abundan,
ly show that it was SO understood. Not only was
the evidence complete as to the past application of
the money and power Of the Bank to elec,ioneer-
ing purposes, but that the resolution of the Board
Of directors authorised the same course to be pur-
sued in future.
Il being thus established by unreasonable
proof, that thd Bank OF the United States was con-
verted into permanent electioneerng engine, Il
appeared to me that the path Of duty which the
Executive Department oi the Government ought to
purdue, was not doubtful As by the terms Of the
bank charter, no officer but the Secretary Of the
iTessury couio remove the dePosItes,n u seemed TO
me that this authority ought to bs at once exerted
to deprive that great corporation ofthe support and
countenance Of the Government in such as use or
fund, and such an extension Of its power. In this
point Of the case the question distinctly present.
cd, whether the people Of the United States are TO
govern, through representatives chosen by their w
bassed sufrsges, or wbs,hsr the power and D. oney
Of great corporation are TO be secretly exerted 10
infsepcs their Judgment and control their dec,.-
ions. Il must now be determined whether The
Bank is to have lis candidates for sll officers in the
country, from the highest to the lowest, OF whe,hs
D. candidates on both rides Of political questions
shall be brought forward as her stofore, and sup
ported by the usual means.
AZ this time the efforts Of the Bank to control
public opinion, through the diresses Of some, and