The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1836-12-14

/ the United States in the State Treasures,
fof safe Keeping until they may be wanted
for The service Of the General Govern.
rsent; HAS been extensively spoken Of as
an act to give the money 10 the several
States, sad they have been advised to use
Ms gif, wilht ut regard to the means
Of relunding it when called for. Such
suggestion has doubtless been made with
out due consideration OF the obligation
of the deposite act, and without proper
attention TO the various principles and in.
terests which are effected by it. II is
manifes' that tho law itself cannot sanction
snch suggestion, and that, as it now
stands, the States have no more authority
To receive and use these deposites without
intending to return them, than any depos.
lie Bank, or any individual ten porarily
charged with the safe keeping or applica-
ton ofihe public money, woul' now have
for converting the same to their private
use, without the consent and against the
will ofthe government. But, independent
ly of the violation ofpublic faith aud mo.
raj obligation which are involved in this
suggestion, when examined in reference
TO the terms Of the present deposiie act.
it is believed that the considerations
Witch shou'dgovern The future legislation
Of Congress on this subject. viii be equal.
ly conclusive against the adoption Of any
measure recognising the principles on
which the suggestion has been made.
Considering the intimate connection Of
the subject with the financial interests Of
the country, and its great importance in
whatever aspec: it can be viewed, | have
bestowed upon il the most anxious reflec-
ton, and feel i. to be my duty to state 10
Congress such thoughts MS have occurred
10 me, 10 aid their delibcration in treating
il in the manner best calculated to con-
ducc 10 the common good.
The experience of other nations ad.
monishcd us 10 hasten the cx;inguish-
mcnt of the public debt. But il will be
in vain 'ha, we have congratulated each
other upon the disappearance Of this evil
if we do not guard against tie cquaily
great one of promoting the unnecessary
accumulation Of puhlic revenue Nopo-
ii,ical maxim is better established than
that which tells us thnt an improvident
expenditure Of money is the parent OF
prohigacy, and that no people can hope
toperpctuate their liber'es who long ac-
quiesce in Il policy which taxes them for
objects not necessary TO the legitimate
and real wants Of their Government
Flattcring ms is the condition of our coun.
try nt the present period, because Of its
unexampled advance in all the steps Of
social and political improvement, it ran.
not be disguised that there is a lurking
danger nIready apparent in the neglect Of
this warning truth, and that The time has
arrived when the representatives of the
people should be employed in dcvising
some more appropriate remedy than now
exists to aver, il.
Under our present revenue system,
there is every probability that there will
continue 20 be n surplus beyond the wants
Of the Government aud il has become
our duty TO decide whether such rcsnlf
be consistent with the tue objects of our
Government.
Should surplus be permitted to ac-
cumula,e, beyond the appropriations, i:
must he retained in the Treasury as it
now rs. or distributed among the people
Of the States.
To retain il in the Treasury. ulemploy.
cd in any way, is impracticable. II is,
besides, against the genius ofour free H.
siItutions to lock up in vaults the treasure
ofthc nation. To take from the people
the right Of bearing arms, and put their
weapons obedience in the hands of "a stand!
ing army, would be scarcely more dan.
gclous to their liberties than TO permit tho
Government TO accumulate immense a.
mounts If treasure beyond the supplies
necessary to it's legitimate wants. Such
a treasure would doubtless be employed,
at som, time, as it has been in other
countries, when opportunity tempted am.
biiioD.
20 collect il merely for distribution to-
the States, would seem to bc highly i'm.
polite. If not rs dangerous as the pro.
position TO retain il IL the Treasury. The
shortest reflection must satisfy every olr.
that to require the people to pay taxes to
the Government merely that they may be
paid bick again, is sporting with the sub.
staniial interests of the country, and no
system which produces such u result can
be expected to receive he public coun-
tcnance. Noihiag could be gained bv H.
even if each individual who contributed
a portion Of the tax coJld receive back
promptly The same portion. But it is
apparent that no system Of tho kind can
ever be enforced, which will not abs orb a
considerable portion Of the money, to be
distributed in salaries and commissions
10 the agents emplpyed in the process,
and in The various losses and deprecia-.
tons which arise from other causes and
the practical effect Of such an attempt
must ever be to burden he people with
taxes, W.. for purposes beneficial to them,
but to swell the profits Of deposite banks,
and support hand Of useless public Of.
6cers. ..l
A distribution to the people is imprac.
tical,le and unjust in other respects. II
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