Litchfield enquirer., 1835-12-10

is this reliance upon the p0tTlotiO- ttmper ana
enlig htcned diseernment Of tho people. That
measure has now been before thcIn and has
stood the test Of sD the severe analysis which ne
general importance, the interests it affected, and
the apprehensions it excited, were calculated to
produce: and it now remains for Congress 70
consider what legislation has become Necessary
in consequence,
heed only add what have on former occa-
sions said, on this subject generally, that in the
regulations which congress may prescribe re-
specting the custody Of the public moneys, it 10
desirable that as little discretion az may be deem.
cd consistent with their safe keeping should be
given 10 the executive agents. No enc can be
more deeply impressed than ! am with the
soundness Of the doctrine which restrains and
limits, by specific provisions, Executive discre-
ton, as far as it can be done consistently with
tho preservation of it's constitutional character
In respect TO the control over the public 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 the United States; which his resulted
in severing, to some extent, dangerous connec-
ton between q monied and political power
The duty Of the Legislature to defre by clear
and positive enactment, the nature aud extent of
the action which it belongs to the Executive to
superntend, springs out of policyanalagous
to that which enioins upon all the branches Of
the Federal government an abstinence from the
exercise of powers not clearly granted
In such a government, possessing only limited
| and specific powers, the spirit of j general adj
min stration cannot be wise or just. when it OPP
poses the reference Of all doubtful points to The
great source Of authority, tho States and the
people; whose number and diversified relations
securing them against the influences and excite
ment which may mislead their agents, make
q houn the fort don0oitorv of nOwer In ifS n
plication TO the Executive, with reference 10 the
Legislative branch Of government, the same
rule of action should make the President ever
anxious to avoid tho exercise of any discretion.
ury authority, which can be regulated by Con-
gress. The bases which will operate upon
him will not be so likely 10 extend to the repre-
sentatives Of the people in that body.
In my former messages to Cong. ess, | have
repeatedly urged the propriety Of lessening the
discretionary authority lodged in the various de-
partments, but 1t has produced no effect as yet
except the discontinuance Of extra allowances
in the Army and Navy, and the substitution Of
fixed salaries in the latter 1t is believed, that
the. same principles could be advanta geously p
piled, in all cases, and would promote the eff
cheney and economy Of the public service, at the
| same time that greater satisfaction and more
equal Justice would be secured to tho public Of
ficers generally.
The accompanying Report of the Secretary Of
War will put you in possession of the operations
of the department confined to his care, in all its
diversified relations, during the past year.
am grati6ed in being able to inform you
that no occurrence has required any movement
Of the military force, except such as is common
10 a state of peace. The services of the army
have been limited to their usual duties at the
| various garrisons upon the Atlantic and inland
frontiers, with the exceptions stated by the Sc
cretary Of War. Our small military establish
ment appears TO be adequate to the purposes for
which it is maintained, and it forms nucleus
around which any additional force may be COL
lectcd, should the public exigencies unfortu-
nately require any increase Of our military
| means. 49,. .....-
The various acts of Congress which have been
recently passed in relation to the army, have in,-
proved its condition, and have rendered its Or
ganization more useful and efficient. II 10 at all
times in a state for prompt and vigorous action,
and it contains within itself tho power Of extcn-
sion to any useful limit while at tho same time
il preserves that nowledge, both theoretical and
practical, which education and experience alone
can give; and which, if not acquired and pre-
served in time Of peace, must be sought under
great disadvantages in time of war.
The duties of the engineer corps press heavi-
ly upon that branch of the service, and the pub
lie interest requires an addition to its strength.
The nature of the works in which the officers
are engaged render necessary professional know.
ledge and experience, and there is no economy.
in committing TO them more duties than they
can perform, or in ass gning these to other per-
sons temporarily employed, and too often Of me-
cessity, without all the qualifications which such
service demands. / recommend this subject to
your attention, and also the proposition submit.
ted at the last session of Congress, and now re-
S.. n ,,;1ot; r,f fbo hi
cal Corps. This reorganization can be effected
without any addition 10 the present expenditure
and with much advantage to the public service.
The branch of duties which devolves upon these
officers is at all times interesting to the commu-
nifty, and the information furnished by them is
useful in peace and in war.
Much loss and inconvenience have been ex-
perienced in consequence Of the failure of the
bill containing the ordinary appropriations for
which passed one branch. Of the
National Legislature at the last session, but was
lost in the other. The failure was tho more re-
GREETED, not only because IL necessarily inter-
rupted and delayed the progress of system of
national defense, projected Immediately after
tho last war, and since steadily pursued, but al
so because it contained contingent appropria-
ton inserted in accordance with the views of
the Executive in aid Of this important object,
and other branches Of the national defense, some
portions of which might have been most useful
ly applied during the past season. invite your
early attention to that part Of the report Of the
Secretary of War which relates to this subject,
and recommend an appropriation sufficiently
liberal 10 accelerate the armament Of the lorti6-
cations, agreeably to. the proposition sabnIitisd
by him. and TO place our whole Atlantic sea-
board in a complete state Of defense. A just
regard to the permanent interests of the coun-
try evidently requires this measure, but there |
are also other reasons which, at the present
juncture, give it peculiar force, and make il my
duty to coll to the subject your cordial conside-
ration. |
The present system of military education has
been in operation sufficiently long to test hs use
falness. and ii has given to the army valuable
body of officers. 1t is not alone in the improve
ment, discipline, and operation of the troops,
that these officers are employed. They ale also
extensively engaged in the administrative and |
fiscal concerns of the various matters coniided |
10 the War Department; in the execution of tho
staff duties, usually appertaining to military or
ganization; in the removal Of the Indians, and |