Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-12

has become necessary in consequence
need only add to what have, former csions,
said this subject generally that in the regulations
which Congress may prescribe respecting the custody
OF the public moneys, IL is desirable that little discrc
ton may be deemed consistent with their safe keep
ing should be given to the Executive agents No one
can be more deeply impressed than with the sound
ness of the doctrine which resans and limits by spec
hc provisions, Executive discretion, far il be
done consistently with the preservation OF its constu
,o"ai character In respect to the control over the pnh
lic money, this doctrine is peculiarly applicable, and
is in harmony with the great principle which felt
was sustaining in the controversy with the Bank of
tue States; which has resulted in scverng, TO
tent dangerous come xion between moneyed and po
li,ca power The duty of the Legislature define by
clear and positive the and of the
action which it belongs to the Executive superntend
springs out Of policy analogous to that which enjons
upon all the branches of the Federal Government an
abstinence from the exercise of powers clearly
granted. In such a Government possessing only limited
aud specific powers the spirit of its general admnstra
ton cannot be wise just when opposes the
OF al doubtful points to the great of authority,
the States and the People; whose number
relations securing them against the influences and
elements which may mislcad their agents make them
The safest depository of In its application the
Executive with reference the Legislative brunch of
the government the same rule OF action should make
the President anxious TO avoid the exercise of any
discretionary authority which be regulated by Com
gress The bases which may operate upon him will not
be so likely to extend TO the representatives of the Peo
pie in that body.
In my former messages Congress have repeatedly
urged the propriey of lessening the dscre tonay
thory lodged in the various departments; has
duced no effect as yet, except the dsconnuance of cx-
ton of fixed salaries in the latter 1t is believed that
the same principles could be advantageousy applied in
all eases, aud would promote the efficiency economy
OF the public service, at the time that greater
usiacton and more equal justice would be secured to the
public officers generally.
The accompanying Report of the Secretary of War
will put you in of the operations
partment confded TO his care in all its diversified ela
tons, during the past year.
grattied in being able inform YOU that no oc-
currence has required any movement of the military
force, except such is common of peace The
ncnft ha hova l,.,.st. al
ties at the various garrisons upon the Atlantic and
frontier with the exception stated by the Secretary
War Our small military establishment appears TO be
adequate to the purposes for which il maintained and
IL forms nucleus around which any additional force NAV
be collected should the public exigencies unfortunately
require any increase of our military means.
The various acts of Congress which have been recent
passed in relation to the army, have improved
don and have rendered its organization useful and
efficient. 1t is at all times in a for prompt and vi
gorous action and it contains within itself the power of
extension limit; while nj The Same ,;mo 4,
preserves that knowledge both theoretical and practical
winch education and experience alone can give; and
which, IL not acquired and preserved in time of peace
must be sought under great disadvantages time war
The duties OF the Engineer Corps press heavily upon
that branch OF service, and the public interest requires
an addition to its strength The of the works in
winch the officers are engaged render necessary profess
sonai knowledge and experience; and there
my IN committing to them more duties than they can
pertorn or in assigning these other persons Temporal
rily employed and too often, of necessity without all
the qualifications which such service demands recon-
mend this subject to your attention. also the promo
sIion submitted the last of Congress and now
renewed, for reorganization ofhe The Typographical
Corps This reorganization can be effected without anv
any addition To the present expenditure and with much
advantage TO the public service The branch of duties
which devoves upon these officers all interest
ing to the community, and the information furnished by
them is useful in peace and in war.
Much loss and Inconvenience have been experienced
In consequence of the failure of the bill containing the
ordinary appropriations for forfcations which passed
one branch of the National Legislature the last session.
but was lost IN the other. This failure the more re-
greted not only because necessarily interrupted and
delayed the progress of system of national defence pro-
jected Immediately after the last war; and since steadily
pursued, but also because contained CONTINGENT n
preparation inserted in accordance with the views of the
Executive in aid of this important object and other
branches of the national defence some portions of which
might have been most usefully applied during the past
season invite your early attention that part of the
Report of the Secretary of War which this
Ject and recommend appropriation sufficiently liberal
to accelerate the armament Of the forcalions agreea
bly, TO the proposition submitted by him. and to place our
whole Atlantic seaboard in a complete of defence
Just regard TO the permanent interests of the country
evidently requires this measure; but there other
reasons which, at the present juncture give peculiar
iorce and make my duty to call to the subject your
special consideration.
The present system of Military Education been in
operation sufficiently long to its usefulness and
has given TO the army valuable body of officers 1t
not alone in the Improvement discipline and operation
Of the troops, that these officers are employed They
are also extensively engaged in the administrative and
fiscal concerns Of the various confded to the
WAR Department; in the execution of the staff duties,
usually appertainIng to military organizations in the
moval oil the indians, and in the disbursement of the
various expenditures growing out of Indian rea-
uohs, tHc OF ROADS, ana IN the
ment OF harbors and rivers in the construction of
fcatons; in the fabrication of much of the mateyic re-
CURED for The public defence; and in the vaton
distribution, and accountability of the whole; and in
other miscellaneous duties admitting of CLASH
These diversified functions embrace very heavy ex-
pcndures OF public money, and require fidelity science
and business habits in their execution; and system
which shall secure these qualifications is demanded by
the public interest That this object has been i'm great
measure, obtained by the Military Academy is shown
by the state of the service by the prompt
bty which has generally followed the necessary adj
vances Like all other political systems, the present
mode Of military education, doubt, has its mperec
IONS, both OF principle and practce but trust these
can be improved by rigid inspections and by legislative
scrutiny, without destroying the institution itself
Occurrences, which well as all other nations.
are liable, both in internal and external relations
point TO the necessity of efficient organization of the
Militia. / again induced by the importance of the
subject, 10 bring il your attention To suppress do
nestic violence, and to repe foreign INVASION should
these caamites overake US, must rely in the first
instance upon the great body of the community whose
viii has instituted and whose power must support the
Government a large standing military force is not
consonan to the spirit of institutions nor TO the feel
ngs OF our countrynen; and the lessons Of former days
and those also of times, show the danger as
well as the enormous expense Of these permanent and
extensive military organizations. That lust medium
which avoids inadequate preparation on one hand
and the danger and expense of large force on the
other, IS what constituents have right to expect
from their Government This object be attained
only by the maintenance Of small military force
and by such an organization of the physical strength
OF the country MS may bring this power into opera
ton, whenever its services are required. A CLASH
icaton Of the population offers the most obvious
means Of cfectng this organization Such division
may be made will be lust 10 ALL bv TRANSFERRING each