The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-29
From The Eastern (Me. } Republican

If charter of the United States Bank was
Objectionable the score of the immense political
influence it was capable of exercising popu
lar eections-Ihe same argument opposes itself with
still greater force, against the adoption Of the Sub
Treasury scheme. .~.. ... ..
In the first place the Executive power is fearrully
enlarged in the creation Of multitude of new Of
fcers, appointed and discharged at the will of the
Secretary OF the Treasury the term Of whose office
is dependent altogether the will of the President
Secondly.-The compensation of many of the Of
f:ers is 10 be fixed by the Secretary at his discrc-
ton and not by law '.,
Thirdly.-The bill contemplates most danger
ous Innovation in the established forms and usages
OF the Treasury. Hitherto no money could be drawn
from the Treasury bp upon warrant of the Secre-
tary, drawn on the Treasurer, countersgned by the
Comptroller, and recorded by the Register and upon
that warrant thus authenticated the Treasurer draws
his drafts. By the 10Th section of the Sub-TreaSuIy
Bill, in contravention of these established checks,
it is expressly provided "lhat for the purpose of
payments on the public account, 1t shall be lawful
for the said Secretary to draw upon any of the said
depnsitares, as he may think most conducive TO the
public Interests or TO the convenience Of the crcdi-
tors or 10th"
This is putting into the hands, and at the control
of the Secretary of the Treasury, without any
check whatever the absolute disposal ofal the money
in the Treasury.
Thus in the language of Mr. Rives, "the whole
scope and tenor of this bill isto concentrate, at least
the entire control of the public moneys in the hands
of the President; for the Secretary Of The Treasury
and all other fiscal officers are but his agents. APP
pointed by him. and removable al pleasure"
II then, the political influence of the bank
immense, what might not that of the ub-Treasury
be- in the hands OF corrupt unprncipled, and am
bilious Executive
We are astonshed at the apathy oflhe democracy
of the United States in relation to this subject
that there can even one be found, t. give his voice
and influence in favor of bill which in its present
scope recognizes the most abhorren features of ic
deraliSm.
|
Jefferson in his Memoirs, vol. 4, p. 364, says
The line of division is now, the preservation of
State rights, ms reserved in the Constitution-or by
strained constructions of that instrument to merge
all into consolidated government.-The Federal
lists are for strengthening the powers Of the General
Government The democrats cherish The represen-
tative branch and the rights reserved 10 the States
as the buwark against consolidation, which must
Immediately generate monarchy"
| Now we challenge any man to point out to us a
single measure proposed by any administration since
the adoption OF the Constitution, which tended so
| powerfully towards consolidation, as this
!
We urge it upon the democracy to weigh well this
matter-to view the Sub Treasury scheme accord
ing TO its own meritS-wegh it well in the scales
OF old fashioned democracy, and if it b. found
wanting, reject it, Remember that when this project
was first brought before Congress by the President
thai it was amid the doubts and misgivngs of his
own mind-we therefore urge il upon you again. 10
weigh well this matter, and above all things TO stand
fast 10 your principles.