Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1839-04-11

might turn. The consequence would be
rotation with vengeance. The wheel
would turn round with such velocity that
any thing like stable system of policy
would be impossible. Each temporary occu
pant, that might he thrown into office by the
whirl, would seize The moment to make
the most of his good fortune. before he
might be displaced by his successor, and a
system, (fsuch it lght be called,) would
follow, not less corrupling than unstable.
With these decisive objections, eau
not give my support to the bill, bui wish
it TO be distinctly understood, that in with
holding it, | neither retrac nor modify any
sentiment | have expressed in relation to
the patronage Of This Government. have
looked over, since the commencement Of
this discussion, the report made as chair
man of a select committee on the sub iect
in 1885. and which has been so frequently
referred TO in debate by those on the oppo-
site side of the chamber, and find nothing
which would omit, if | had now to draw
il, but much, which time and reflection
would induce me TO add. to strengthen the
grounds then assumed. There is not
sentence in it incompatible with lhe views
have presented on the present occasion.
| might here, Mr.. President, terminate
my remarks, as far as this bill is concern
ell; but as the general question of patrou-
age is at all lines one Of importance under
our system of Government, and especially
so, in nv opinion, at this present juno
ture, ! trust that / shall be INDUCED in
offering my opinion somewhat more at
large in reference to it.
II it be desirable TO reduce the patron
age Of the Government, land ] hold it to
be emiDeully so,) we must strike at the
source-the root, and moi the branches.
1t is the only way that will not in the end
prove fallacious. The main sources Of
patronage may be found iu lhe powers,
The revenue, and the expenditures of the
Government; and the first and necessary
step toUards ITS reduction. Is TO restrict
The po'ccrs Of this Government aCithin the
rigid limits prescribed by the constitution.
Every extension of its powers beyond,
would bring within its control subjects
never intended TO be placed there. follow
ed by increased patronage. and augmented
expenditure aud revenue.
We must in the next place take care
not TO call the acknowledged powers of
the Government into action beyond the
limits which the common interest NAV;
render necessary, nor to pervert into
means of doing what it was never intend
ed by the constitution we should have the
right to do. OF all the sources of power
and influence, prevention Of the powers
of The Government has proved in practice
The most fruitful aud dangerous, of which
our political history which furnishes ma
ny examples, especially in reference to the
money power, as will appear in the course
ofmy remarks.
After rrestricting the powers Of the Gov
ernment within proper limits. the next
important step would be 10 bring down
The income and expenditures 10 the small
est practicable amount. 1t is primary
maxim uuder our system, to collect no
more money than is necessary to the eco
nonical and constitutional wants of the
Government. We have, in fact, no right
10 collect cent more. Nothing can tend
more powerfully to corrupt public and
private morals, or.to increase the patron
age Of the Government, than al excess
sive or surplus revenue, as recent and sad
experience has abundanIly proved. Nor
is il less important 10 restrict the cxpendi-
lures within the income. Ii is, in fact, in
dispensable 10 restricted revenue, as the
increase of the former must, in the end,
lead 10 an increase Of The latter. Nor must
an exact administration, aud a rigid ac-
countability, in every department Of the
Government, be neglected. 1t is among
the most efficient means Of keeping down
patronage and corruption, as we'll as the
revenue and expenditures, just as The op-
posile is among the most prolific sources
OF both.
1t is Ih"s, and thus only, that we can
reduce efectuaIly The patronage of the
Government, to The least amount con-
sistent with the discharge of the few, but
important duties, with which it is charged,
and render it, what the constitution in-
tended should be cheap and simple Co.
vernment, instituted by the States, for
their mutual security, and more perfect
protection of their liberty aud tranquility.
1t is The way pointed out by Jefferson and
his associates of the Virginia school,
which has ever been distinguished for its
jealous opposition 10 patronage, as the
bane Of our political system, as is SO pow
erfuIly illustrated 10 The immortal docu-
muents so frequently referred to in this
discussion-lhe report Of the Virginia Le-
gislature, on the alien and sedition law, in
the year 90:
But there is, and ever has been, from
the first, another and opposing school, that
regarded patronage with "a very different
eye, moi as bane but as an essential in
gredieut, without which the Government
would be impracticable; and whose lead
inc nolicy is. 10 enlist in its favor the more