Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-07-13
SPEECH OF MIR. BOND, OF OHIO,
Upon Mr.. Hopkins Resolution to divorce
the Government from The Press.

Oh GEOu VI MNs nONDs Nh OAAAOs
Upon Mr., Hopkins' Resolution TO divorce
~,
the Government from We FTess'
Mr. BOND said he rejoced that the attention of
the House and of the country was again invited TO
the subject of retrenchmenl and reform. He was
aware that these terms had become somewhat hack
ncyed, and he almost feared thar the frequent repe.
ti,ion here had rendered them trie and unmeaning.
They had been used, as we'll as known, with great
effect to out down one Administration and elevate
another. That end being attained, they seemed TO
haye performed their Office, so far at least as the
party now in power concerned. A u must admit
that we have had no practical retrenchment or re-
form.
Mr. B. said he wished gentlemen now in power to
admit that they had amused, if not deceived, the
People of this country with more fancy sketch
II they would not make this concession, then he
called upon them to specify any retrenchmeat or re.
form which they had accomplished. But, sir, if
they Gail 10 this. as think they must, then l de.
mano h,er reasons Tor not carrying oct their great
and sndary sys'.m II 'ef,r", Tor winch they o,vod
soem"'y pledged before the country.
am unwilling to believe that the terms retrench'
ment and reform nave lost the'r Just ana vTtuous
sense. Inc people oil .h's country WI, determine
whether The necessity oil such measures mad passed
away with the simple elevation oil certain men 10
power.
You, Mr. Speaker, must he well aware that some
thing more t,an th's was promised. fou proiessed'
sir. mean the party WIN which you act prolessed,
10 be moved by the purest ana most sacred regard
for the welfare OF the People. we ma recorded
here, and IN Inc senate, a solemn p'eoSe 10 carry
into effect systematic reform, 1t you should De
placed in power. This was done, SIR, IN March.
1929, and you have bel undsturbed possession ever
since. During that time, now going on ten years,
what part of your pledge has been redeemed!
desire TO conduct this discussion fairly and with
C,o, I ,,,;s ytn,n than,
too, that all may form just opinion in relation to
tie sincerity and good faith of those whose conduct
NAV be brought under review.
Was il really true, sir, that the expenditures OF
tie Government, were unnecessarily large? Had the
President too much power, and was there a neces
sty for restraining it: Was the patronage of the
Government so enormous as to require checks to be
placed on it? Was this patronage used Tor pollti'
cal ends. especially the patronage of the rress 2?
Was il true that the freedom Of The press and the
security of our liberty demanded that the printing
patronage should be withdrawn from the severa
Departments, and The Stale Department in particu
lar?
All these inquiries are suggested by the decara
tlons and avowals OF The present dominant part.
NAV have forgotten the precise charges made agains
Mr. Adams Administration, j beg leave to read
from certain documents Of this House and of the
Senate, in which these griefs and complaints; with
the promised reforms, are duly recorded.
The first, in point Of time, is report made to the
Senate in 1926, by select committee, (of which
Mr. Benton was chairman, slo which was referred
q proposition to inquire into the expediency of re-
ducing the patronage Of the Executive Government
or - U".,d S,ates.' In this document Mr. Zen
ton reports:
'rhat, after mature deliberations the committed
are Of opinion that i. Is expedent TO diminish or t.
regulate by law the Executive patronage OF tn
Federal Government. whenever me same can
done consistently with the provisions OF the Con
s,i,uton, and without 'mp",'lns me proper ell
ceocy OF the Governments. Ac''ng under ln's con
v'ct'on, 'hey nave received DIS c:.e,uny 's "'e AZ"
other engagements would permit 'hem 10 do' IN
degree and amount OF patronage now exercised D.
the President anG nave arrived at me conc'us'o
that the same may ana ought 10 oe diminished
law .,.,
For this purpose ''lat committee 'neh reported 81
bills; one OF uhem pforoseu 10 regua'e lhe pup''ca
ton OF the laws and OF pnol'c advertisements; an
other had this imposing lille pm 10 secure q
office the faithful collectors ana d'sbursers oil tn
revenue. and 10 d,sp'ace deiaul'ers. But, beside
its alldring title, that bill also contained the follow
ing provision
'rhat in all nominations made oy the rres'den
to the Senate TO ll vacancies occas'oned by the eS
ercise Of the Presidents power to remove fror
Office, the fact oil the removal shall he stated TO tn
Senate at the same time The nomination Is made
with statement OF the reasons Tor which sucl, off
Ger may have been removed
The other four bills also looked 10 the restrain
or reduction of Tile Presidents power and patrol
age. 1t is unnecessary now 10 read them' Ti'
report proceeds
'1'he committee do not doubt 6u' that there az
many other branches OF Executive patronage
addition to these winch are comptehended IN III
provisions oil these bills, whca might oe ahvanli
geously regulated by law. Ear from thinking tn;