South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1837-03-25
PROSPECTUS.

1t is now most apparent that the Executive
Department has absorbed nearly all the pow
ers of the Federal Government, land that moth
ing short Of radical reform can prevent us
from sinking into practical despotism. More
than the first step has been taken that leads
to this result. No man can contemplate the
events that are daily transporting before sand
remain blind to the truth. Powers that defy
all constitutional restraints have been usurp-
ed by the Executive and, more than this,
have been transmitted in obedience to its will.
The President has nominated his successor,
and, by means of the patronage of Govern
ment, has placed him in the Chair of State.
IT some decisive measure be not adopted, this
example will be followed by his successors, un-
til an entire change is effected in our institu-
tons. To prevent result SO disastrous to
human liberty, there must be a rally of all
those who are in favor of preserving our free
institutions. The purpose of The Reformer
is to effect this and to direct it most efficient
ly to the object in view.
Executive usurpations may be traced to an
excessive revenue, and the consequent lavish
expenditure growing out of ito the vast in
fuence it exercises through its control over
the public lands-to its arbitrary power of
dismissing from Office Independent and capa-
Bile agents, and of rewarding its partisens
without regard to merit, at its mere will and
pleasure-and to the use it recklessly makes
of the sectional differences growing out ofthe
conflicting interests incident to country of
such vast extent as ours. To counteract these
evils, the income must be limited to the wants
OF the overnment-economy and accounta-
bility must be enforced in every department
of the public xpenditures-faithful and capa-
bic officers must be placed beyond the caprice
of Executive willard the various and con-
flicting interests of the country must be re-
conciled, and brought to harmonic. With
out this, it will be in vain to contend against
Executive usurpation. No force of eloquence
or argument can resist them so long as these
self sustaining means are left in its control.
Withhold these, and reformation will neces-
sarily take place. The Government will be
put to the necessity of looking to honest means
for its support when it can no longer rely on
the means of corruption to sustain itself in
power.
We pledge ourself that THE REFoRMER
will enforce these principles, and regard no
! man or influence, but in reference to these
important objects. The times demand energy
and concert of action. 1.-THE fatal example
of Executive interference in the elections of
the people be not rebuked, it is easy to fore
see that the example will become precedent
for the future and what is now regarded with
~
considered of the necessary principles of Co.
vernment. This is certain-and we appeal
to the virtuous and patriotic every where
to those who love the institutions ofthe coun-
| try-whe place just estimate upon the value
of public iberty-who regard the interests OF
themselves and their posterity-to sustain us
in our efforts to secure these inestimable ben
! efts.
Experience has shown that, without rally
of the good and virtuous, it is impossible to
support bold and patriotic press in this city
Hitherto none which has not been supported
by the patronage of the Government, has paid
the expenses Of publication. In the face, OF
past experiment, the Publishers have dared to
| make the present effort, in the hope that the
manifest disorders Of the times, and the certain
consequences which, without radical re-
form, must ensue, will rally the country te
their support and by this means aid them in
| securing the great object which we all have in
! view. RICHARD X. CRALLE.
/ Washington City, March IL, 1897,