The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1837-10-27
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.

| FOR THE MADsoN1AN. .
have been for years an ardent and firm supporter Of
Mr. Van Buren, would not impugn his inegri-
ty or capacity; but belle wing the Presidents proposed
system fatally injurious the liberties and happiness Of
my country, it receives my decided disapprohation.
The Message of the President and the reports Of the
Secretary Of the Treasury and Postmaster General ap
probated by it involve questions Of great moment The
President proposes to place all public money IN the
hands Of officers Of his appointment This is the new
Sub-treasury scheme. And to make sure that at once
the pockets the iron chests Of these officers shall have
funds he proposes that nine millions three hundred and
sxty-seven thousand two hundred and fourteen dollars
directed by law to be deposited with the States, be d.
vested and put into the hands Of Executive agents. be-
ings Of Executive will ~.
The venerable Richie the Richmond Enquirer has
reviewed the Message this point with such ability
as leaves nothing be said against the corruptng
Sub-treasury system, and certainly nothing in its
favor, With the independent and lofty bearing for
which the gifted sons of Virginia have been distinguish
cd from the days Of Patrick Henry Richie attacks and
utterly overhrows the Presidential plan for adding the
power Of money to tho preponderatng weigh, of the
Executive Office. On this point we have nothing to
add II the voice of Nesor not heard, will not
| be.
But there are some precedents proposed that
ough, to awaken attention. The Postmaster General
leads the way in attacking the institutions OF Republic
America, and denounces her State banks as "hun-
drcds Of embarrassed, ahess, or bankrupt corpora
tons" Then follows the Secretary Of the Treasury
proposing and laudng the financial systems Of England
and France. lie based his Subtreasury system the
preccdcns OF these royalties twas, he SAID 'n
cessfu practice ia some of the enlightened aud
opulent governments of Europe" Here for the first
time the corrupt, prodigal and placc-makng system Of
financial expenditure III Europe is officially recommend
ed to the American people. Before the Revolution
fathers struggled year after year against the royal 60
vernors who claimed for themselves and their agents
the control of the colonial funds. The governors then
said as the royal governors Of tho Cauadas say,
that the public service interrupted because the Execu
tive control over the peoples money is impeded How
strange that the European system Of finance and cspc
cialy that OF France should be gravely recommended to
republic The entire expenses Of France for the year
| 1890 were about 1876 millions Of dollars For 1885
the minister of finance estimated the expenses at about
two hundred and five millions Secret service money
| for the police Of the items, aud amounted
to about two hundred and forty-six thousand dol
lars. About fifteen millions Of dollars annually 60 to
Louis Phillips officers for collecting the revenue and
taxes of France II the residue Of the financial system
of.France conducted with the prod!galty, the
officers Of the King must be well satisfied with the
Kings sub-,reasury system II may also account Tor
the fact that the French charter Of 1880, which was
based on the republican principle that all the French
were equal has been tramped under the royal feet OF
the citizen King This French precedent is indeed
omnous =.
Are these the royal models which the Secretary with
the Presidents appreciation, present. the quicksghcd
frccmen of America! Louis Philips immense pa
onage and control of public money has enabled him to
destroy the freedom Of the press and trampe the char
ter under foot. Let my countrymcn beware Of this
dangerous example, and trust any President with
the couuptng power Of the purse.
A REPrBLIcAS.