Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-05-22

We are, then, sir, still 20 have paper as
general medium of circulation; that pa
ris to be tho paper Of banks; butGovern-
.nt is to be divorced from these banks
Dgether. 1t is not to keep its funds in
pm, as heretofore. 1t is to have moth
to do with them, but is to collect and
burse its revenue by its own means,
its own officers.
The receipt Of the notes ofspecie- pay
banks is to be partially allowed for
ne time, but is to be gradually discon-
ued; and six years hence, we are to
,ivc at the maturity and me pcriectioh
.lps .,st,, ~. when TiIuL suspicious
\ comes, Government is to receive and
out gold and silver and nothing but
a and silver.
Now, Mr.. President, let us anticipate
5 Joyous epoch; let us suppose the six
nrs to have expired; and let us imagine
Atbill with its specie-payments and all
be in full operation at the present hour.
bat will that operation bet In the first
ice diSregarding all questions of public
nyeniencc, or the general interests of
people, how will this system work as
mere mode of collecting and paying out
venue! Let us sec.-
Our receipts and expenditures may be
timaed, each, at thirty millions a year.
hose who think this estimate either too
Oh or too low, may make the necessary
owance. Here, then, is the sum of
irly millions, 10 be collected andpaid out
ery year; and it is all to be counted,
tslly told over, dollar after dollar and
ID piece after gold piece; and how ma
times countedl Let us enquire into
i. The importing merchant, whose
has arrived, and who has cash duties
pay; goes to the bank for his money,
the telers counts it out: that is once.
carries it to the custom-house, pays it
/ the clerks count it over; that IS
ice.
Some days afterwards, the collector
Ees 1t out of his bags and chest, carries
1.-THE receiver generals office and there
counted again, and poured in the bags
q chests Of that Office: that is the third
pc. Presently warrant comes from
Treasury, in favor Of some discussing
beer, and the boxes are opened, and the
cessaTy sums counted out; this is the
lrh counting. And filthy and lastly,
dlsbursing officer pays it to the per.
ms entitled to receive it, on contracts,
Tor pensions, salaries, or other claims.
nlrty millions of hard money are thus
be handled and told over five times in
ecourse Of the year; and if there be
anslerS from place to place, then it is ia
counted so much oftener.
Government officers, therefore, are tc
punt over one hundred and fifty million:
dollars a year; which, allowing threC
ln .lFed working days in the year, gives
'e hundred thousand dollars a day. Blu
isis not all. Once a quarter, the navh
NICER Is 10 count the collectors money ant
efeglster in the land Office is to count
RECEIVERS money.
ana moreover, sir, every now anC
en- the Secretary of the Treasury is e
ulOrse unexpected and imPrOmPtH coun
= IN his discretion, and Just to satisfy
sown mind.
ol' What a money-counting, tinkllng
Suhg generation we shall be- An th'
y'changers in Solomon's temple vii
q nothing to us. Our sound will g
lul INTO all lands. We shall al B,
\ NE King in the ditty Of the nursery
mere ne. sat a the King, counting out he mo
Iou, will observe, sir, that these receipt
payments cannot be made in parcels
'aoA the actual handling Of each pee
.! ISln' The marks on kegs Of dollars
:, , 'ue labels on bags Of gold, are not 7
n II Us They are a part Of credit
y ~ credit, all trust, an confidence, Is 4
,. away with. When the euFyeyo
~; ul'LSree, at the custom-house IS to ex
u ~ u's money on hand IN possession g
~ e9'lector or acknowledgement, he IS, 9
s ~ o count the money no oths
'alon can come b any thing II