The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-08
In the language Of Macbeth we say,
CATCH PHRASES.

..@a CATCH PHRASES.
When the Sub-treasury scheme was first
preached, it was ushcred forth under the cItch
phrase of !" DiUorce Of Bank and State" This
has been dropped and new one adopted,
under the cognomen of INDEPENDENT
TREASURY" When the character Of the
scheme is fully examined, and the objects
present and future, sought to be accomplished
under it, are fully understood, we think the
present the most appropriate time that could
be given to it.
The object sought to be obtained through
the scheme is, perfect independence. TO
make the government Independent OF and dis
connected from the people, to make it indie
pendent Of Congress; and to make the head
of the Treasury Department independent, and
free Of all the guards and checks which now
places the public money beyond his lmme-
date reach.
What will the American people say when
the astounding fact is told them, that the bill
of Mr.. Wright proposes to give the Secretary
of the Treasury the authority, individually,to
draw on any one of his officers holding the
public money as Subtreasurers, at any time
and for any amount he may choose. The
checks now existing, of Comptroller, Register
and Treasurer are to be abolished. This
would truly an INDEPENDENT TREA-
| SURY.
All the principal proposed Sub-treasurers,
such as collectors and receivers, are the OH
GERS under the control of the Secretary OF the
Treasury, and he under the control OF the
President: thus the whole public revenues
are under the immediate custody and control
of the Executive.
We do not say such is either the wish or
desire of the present Chief Magistrate, but
we do contend that such is the operation OF
the scheme.
Against such an enormous accumulation oil
pow er in the hands of one individual, we
solennly protest, as forming the means OF cor
ruption, endangering the safety OF the kepub-
lie, and jeopardizing the liberties of its citi-
Zens.
THE PROSPECT FOR THE SUB-TREASURY.
The trainers and advocates of the Sub
treasury scheme, it is now well understood,
admit that with all the terrors produced by
the lash Of party. discipline, which it is evil
dent, has been pretty freely used in the
Senate, that in that body they cannot count
upon carrying itthrough,with more than one or
two majority, even if they can get majority in
|
its favor at all. That, it is clear they will not
be able to do, if the will of the people, as ex-
pressed through their representatives shall be
respected
In the House Of Representatives it is gen.
orally conceded, even by its own friends, that
the bill will be defeated, if il shall be sent
there, by a majority of from fifteen to twenty
votes
Under these circumstances, why is it that
the country, which is bleeding at every pore,
and distress and ruin pervading it throughout
is held in state of anxious suspense, and the
time of Congress consumed in debating pro-
position which can never be adopted ! Is it
to enable the enemies of our institutions TO
send forth speeches for the purpose of agita-
ting and inhan:ing the worst passions Of soci-
ETY. still more against them
But suppose it were otherwise; and, that
the scheme could be forced through the Senate
by majority Of one, two or three votes, and