State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-06-07

ft in republic that any one man, no matter
hoic erdlied in the public estimation, should haze
IL in his poioer TO dispose Of tho public moneys
at his discretion Is it fit, repeat, that such
a state of things should continue even for u
day? But, sir, party, tohich calls Itself re-
publican has suffered not only months, but years
10 eldpse, under its administration of public af-
fairs, 'oithOmt providing remedy for its evil
But, although we have no fears of the fdel-
ty OF the President, SO far as regards the ex-
penditures of the public moneys by him, yet
the mischief Of increased Executive patronage
is actually abroad. The command Of the de-
positories of the public money confors upon
the Executive, in effect, the control Of every
bank in tho Union, nearly five hundred in
number 1t is not only the deposte banks
which are liable TO become the instruments Of
his will and purposes, in the selection Of their
officers and in the general management oil
their affairs, but the control which he exercis-
es over them clothes him with the power 10
embarrass and cripple the operations of every
other bank in the United States, if he shall
think proper to excise it. Does any one doubt
the ability of the Government, acting through
an unofficial and irresponsible agent, upon the
various repositories of the public moneys, 10
bring sudden destruction upon the interests
and affairs Of any bank whatever, which may
incur the displeasure OF the party in power 2
If the late bank, chartered by Pennsylvania,
shall be able TO encounter the hostility of the
Government, | undertake TO say it will be the
only one which can hope TO sustain itself in
such conflict.
The very consciousness that the power ex-
lists in the Executive Of the United States 10
inhic, so great an injury upon the interests in
any bank which shall cross the wishes Of those
in power whether there shall be any intention
10 exercise il, or not, ioW cause every bank in
The country TO become more or less SubSeruieni
10 The purposes Of the dominant party. But is
there not Just such an agent as | have desert.
bed now in the employment OF the Govern.
ment2 The Secretary Of the Treasury could
not be safely made the instrument of Execu-
tive influence and control over the moned In
stutons OF the country his acts and cores
pondence would be official, and might be cal
led for and exposed even his verbal instruc-
tons and limitations could not be disavowed
by the Government, should they, by any acci.
dent, be brought TO light but not so of the
acts Of the agent generally resident in this cit.
y, and VIGOROUSLY in the confidence Of the
Executive and the deposit banks.
Sir, when we consider that the surplus rev.
cnue, including the unexpendcd balance in The
Treasury, will, during the present year, aver.
age not less than thiry-iive, and probably for.
~ millions and when we bring to mind III,
immense influence which the gratuitous use o.
this enormous capital gives to the Executive
besides the ordinary patronage OF the Govern
ment, it is time that the country should awak,
to sense Of the consequences. Can public
freedom long resist the assaults of such ire
mendous influences, when brought to bear, "a
we have just reason to believe they are, direct
ly upon The highest officers Of the Government
II is not British capital; it is not the money o
the United States Bank, whether dealt ont il
loans or largesses upon particularindividual
1T is THE PEOPLES OWN MONEY
WHICH is TURNED AGAINST THEM
TO DESTROY THE FREEDOM 0FTHI
ELECTIVE FRANCHISE