Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1836-12-15

dcPosite oct Of tho last session received 70
iuetant approval, have been msasurably ~
aiised. Though IN act merely for The dspo-
site Of the surplus moneys Of Tho United States
10 The State treasures foe safe keeping, until
they msy DO wanted for the service Of the
General Government, Il has been extensively
spoken Of ne IN act 10 give the money 20 the
several States, and they have been advised 20
use Il rs \ gin, without regard 20 the means
OF refunding II when called for. Such aug
gestiou has doubtless been made without due
confederation Of the obligation Of the deposite
act, aud without proper attention 10 the va
rious principles and interests which are affect
ed by L. IL ID manifest, that the lag itself
cannot sanction such suggestion, and that ss
Il now stands, the States have no moro autho-
riiy to receive and use these deposites, with
out intending 20 return them, than any depo-
site bank, or any individual temporarily charg-
cd with the safe-keeping or application of the
public money, would DOW have for converting
the same TO their private use, without the CON
sent and against the will Of the Government
But Independently of the violation Of public
faith aud moral obligation which are involved
In this suggestion. when examined In refer
ence TO the torms Of the present deposite act.
u Is believed that the considerations which
should govern the future legislation Of Con-
gress on this subject, will be equally conciu-
sivc against the adoption Of any measure 70
cognising the principles on which the suggcs-
ton has been made.
Considering the intimate connexion Of the
subject with tho financial interests OF the
country, and its great importance in whatever
aspect IL can DO viewed. have bestowed upon
u the most anxious reflection, and feel Il 20 be
my duty TO state To Congress such thoughts as
have occurred 20 me, 10 aid their deliberation
IN lrana aeaer In.
conduce 10 the common good.
The experience Of other nations admouish-
ed Us TO hasten the extinguishment Of the pub
lie debit but IL will DO in vain that we have
congratulated each other upon the disappear
ance Of this evil, il Nc do not guard against
the equally great one OF promoting the unne-
cessary accumulation Of public revenue. No
political maxim Is better established than that
which tells IN that an improvidenl expenditure
OF money ~ the parent of pro1igacy, and that
no people can hope 10 Perpetuaie their hber-
ties, who long acquiesce In q policy which
taxes them for objects not necessary 20 the To-
gitimate and real wants Of their Government
gathering rs Is the condition Of our country at
the present period, because Of its upex ampled
advance in all tho steps Of social and political
improvement. IL cannot be disguised that there
a lurking danger already apparent in the
neglect OF this warning truth, and that the
time has arrived when the representatives OF
the people should DO employed in devising
some more appropriate remedy than now ex
lists, 10 avert il.
Under ous present revenue system, there is
every probability that there will continue 10
be surplus beyond the wants Of the Govern
ment: and IL has become our duty 10 decide
whether such n result be consistent with the
true objects Of our Government
a. q n
beyond the appropriations, il must be retained
IN the Treasury as IL now is, or distributed n
mong the people OF the States.
To retain IL in the Treasury, UNEMPLOYED in
any way, IS imPractieablc. Il IL, besides. a.
gainst the genius Of our free institutions to
lock up Ia vaults the treasure Of the nation.
To take from the people the right Of bearing
arms, and put their weapons Of defence in the
hands OF q standing army, would be scarcely
more dangerous to their liberties, than to per-
init the Government 10 accumulate immense
amounts OF treasure beyond the supplies ne
eessary 10 IFS legitimate wants. Such n trea-
sure would doubtless be employed at some
time, as Il has been in other countries, when
opportunity tempted ambition.
To collect IL merely for distribution 10 the
States, would seem 10 be highly impolitic, IL
not as dangerous a. the proposition 10 retain il
10 the Treasury. The shortest reflection must
satisfy every one, that TO require the people TO
pay taxes 90 the Government merely that they
may be psid back again, y sporting with the
substantial interests Of the country, and no
system which produces such result can be
expected 10 receive the public counteBsnce
Nothing could DO gained by il, even IL each
individual who contributed n portion of the
tax, could receive back promptly the same
portion. But, u Is apparent, that no system
Of the kind can ever be enforced which will
not absorb considerable portion Of the mo.
ney 10 Be distributed In salaries and eOmmis-
sions to the agents employed 10 the process
and IN the various losses and depreclstions
which srise from other causes; aud the prse-
teal effect OF such sn attempt must ever be 10
burden the people with taxes, not Tor purposes
beneficial 10 them, but 70 swell the profits Of
dePosiie banks, aud support = band Of useless
public officers
distribution 10 the people 10 impracticabIe
and unjust IN other respects. II would be tax
ing ose mans property, aud giving Il 10 sno-
Their Such woald BE- the unavoidable result
% a rule Of equality, land none other h spo-
ken 81, OF would he likely 10 be adopted, } In
ssmuch ~ there is no mode By which the ~
mount Of the Individual contributions Of our
citizens 70 the public revenus can be sseer-
tanned. We know that they eoatFihuts uss-
4a@aBj aHa rue thefofores mat would dis d.
tsibuts 70 them sqsaily. would be liable % ell
the objections which spply to the principle Of
aB equal division Of property. To make the
General Government The Instrument az carry
ing this odious principle into effect, would he
~ once 10 destroy the mesBs Of ~ usefulness
and ehangs the character designed for Il by
tie frss.efs % tie conii.iuiion
Bot the more extended snd injuFious conse-
qvenees likely 10 result from o policy Whth
would c0ilsrt surplus revenue for the pur-
pose ~ distributing q, NAY De- f1rcihiy illus
Eated ~ ~ examination ~ the effects already
produced BY The present deposilo act THIS
act, although certsinly desisned n secure The
safe-keTping Of The public reVenoe y nj en-
iireiy free " ~ tendencies from many u The
objections whicb applY 70 ihis prineiple 81 dr.
tFIbuiion. The Gofernment hsd, ithout ne
eessHy. rseeiysd freul tho people q lsrge sur
plus, which. Instead u being tmpiOyed a.
herstofors, aad FrtBrnsd - thsa ~ Hsans q
The public eSpendhurs, YES dsposiled siih
stndry hanks The bshts proceeded - mako
loaus upon this surplus. and ihus converted u
INTO banking espitsi abj N ms manner u
has te'rie6 - Hllltipiy bsnk shafisrs, ard hes
hsd great agency N prpdaeisg . spirit ~
sid sPceulaiioa The possession apd ,.ss q