Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-09-13


this plan, taking the largest number
suggested by the Secretary OF the Trea-
sury, would not exceed ten; nor the
additional expenses, at the same estl-
mate, sixty thousand dollars year.
There can be no doubt of the obi
CATION Of those who are entrusted with
the affairs of Government, to conduct
them with as little cost to the nation as
is consistent with the public interest
and it is for Congress, and ultimately
for the people, to decide whether tho
benefits TO be derived from keeping our
! fiscal concerns apart, and slyering the
connection which has hitherto existed
between tho Government and banks,
offer sufficient advantages 10 justify the
necessary expenses. If the object TO
be accomplished is deemed important TO
the future welfare ofthe country, can
not allow myself to believe that the
addition to the public expenditure of
comparatively so small an amount as
will be necessary to affect it, will be
objected to by the people.
1t will be seen by the report Of the
Postmaster General, herewith comnu-
nicated, that the fiscal affairs Of that
Department have been successfully con-
Quoted since May last upon the princi.
pie of dealing only in the legal curren-
cy of the United States, and that it
needs no legislation to maintain its Gre
dit, and facilitate the management OF
its concerns the existing laws being,
in the opinion Of that officer, ample for
those objects.
Difficulties will doubtless be encoun-
! tered for season, and increased SER
vices required from the public function
aries; such are usually incident to the
commencement Of every system, but
they will be- greatly lessened in the
progress of its operations.
The power and influence supposed to
be connected with the custody and dis.
bursement Of the public money, are
topics on which the public mind is ma
turally and, with great propriety, Pc
culiarly sensitive. Much has been said
on them, in reference to the proposed
separation of the Government from the
be nking institutions and surely no one
can object to any appeals or animad-
versions on the subject, which are con-
sistent with facts, and evince proper
respect for the intelligence Of the PEG.
pie. If a Chief Magistrate may be al
lowed 10 speak for himself, on such a
point, can truely say, that TO me no.
thing would be more acceptable, than
the withdrawal from the Executive, to
the greatest practicable extent, of all
concern in the custody and disburse-
ment of the public revenue not that
would shrink from any responsibility
cast upon me by the duties of my of
flee, bat because it is my firm belief,
that its capacity for usefulness is in no
degree promoted by the possession of
any patronage not actually necessary
to the performance of those duties
But under our present lurnl Of Govern.
ment, the Intervention Of the Executive
officers in the custody and dsburse.
ment of the public money seems to be
unavoidable and before it can be ad.
mtted that TIE influence and power of
the Executive would be increased by
dispensing with the agency Of banks,
the nature Of that intervention in such
an agency must be carefully regarded,
and II comparison must be instituted be
tween its extent in the two cases.
The revenue can only be collected
by officers appointed by the President,
with the advice and consent of the Sc.
nate. Tho public moneys, in the first
instance, must, therefore, in all cases,
pass through hands selected by the Elk.
ecutive. Other officers appointed in
the same way, or as in some cases, by
the President alone, must also be en-
trusted with them when drawn for the
purpose of disbursement. 1t is thus
seen that, even when banks are en-.
pIoye ed, the public funds must twice pas.
through the hands Of Executive Off,
GERS. Besides this, the head Of tho
! Treasury Department, who also hold;
his Office at the pleasure of the Prcsl
dent, and some other officers of the
same department, must necessarily be
invested with more or less power in the
selection, continuance, and supervision
of the banks that may be employ ed
The question is then narrowed to The
single point, whether, in the intermedi
ate stage between the collection anC
disbursement Of the public money, the
agency of banks is necessary to avoi,
Il dangerous extension ofthe patronage
and influence Of the Executive Blu
is it clear that the connection of The
Executive with powerful moneyed in
, situations, capable nnnistering 10 The
interests of men in points where they
are most accessible to corruption, /;
less liable to abuse, than his constitu
tonal agency in the appointment anc
control ofthe few public officers requi
red bY the PROMISED ulon VIII The