Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1839-04-30
EXECUTIVE PATRONAGE.

In 1896, a committee of the U. S. Senate, con-
sisiing Of Col. Benton. Charmen Mr.. Van Buren
Mr.. White, Major Eaton aud others, made report
On the subject Of executive patronage accompanied
by six bills the object of which was to restrain
and prevent the exercise os power 10 the hands Of
the President. The extracts which give
readers from that report will show the holy horror
which those persons then had of "sullyng the pu-
riiy Of institutions !" but we fear they no
longer operated upon by their arguments. Al
all events, the evils which they deprecated have
arrived upon the country and il remains to be seen
whether the danger is not such as 10 rouse every
Amorican 10 immediate acion.-Bmingf0n Free
| Press.
| r. .i----;-;. g ----srIutIvn Tuuouring
to multiply the guards and to CITIZEN the barriers
against the possible abuse of power II comfy
could be imaginedn which the laws should execute
ithemselves-in which the power of government
should consist in the enactment Of lnws-n such
state the machinery of government would carry on
It's operations without jar or friction. Parties
would be unknown, and the movements of political
machines would but little more disturb the passions
OF men then they are disturbed by the great laws
OF the material world. But this Is not The cosc
The scene shifts from this imag inary region where
avs execute themselves, TO The theatre of real life
wherein they are executed by civil and military
oicers, by armies and Davies, by courts Of Justice
oy tue collection and disbursement of revenue with
al It's tram OF salaries, jobs aud contracts: and in
MS aspect OF the reality, we behold the working
OF PATRONAGE, and discover The reason why so
many stand ready in any country, and in all ages
to flock TO the standard of power, wherever and by
whomsoever it may be raised.
The patronage Of the federal government al
the beginning, was founded upon a revenue of two |
millions of dollars. 1t is now operating uoon
twenty Two millions, and within the lifetime Of
many now iivlDg, must operate upon Gfls millions
ne whOe revenue must, in few years he wholly !
applicaoie 20 subjects Of patronage. A. present
about one half say ten millions of it, is appropriat.
ed to The principal and interest Of the public debt
which, from the nature of the object involves but
little patronage. Ia The course Of a few wears this
1eo'' without great Encouragement must be paid
'h. short period Of peace and faithful upplica
ion OF the sinking fund, must speedily accomplish
int most desirable object. Unless the revenue
&c then reduced, work difficult IN republics as
monarchIes, ibe patronage oil the federal govern
"', great as II aircaoy IL, uiust in the course Of
ie" years, receive vast accession of strength.
The revenue Itself will be doubled, and listed oil
nc hsi being applicable to objects Of patronage.
"e "h'ie VIII take that dreclion.-Thus lie
educliob Of the public debt, and the increase of o
'''"Ne' "A' "ollpiy ~ fOUrtold degree the "
'moer OF persons IN service of The federal gov- 0
fhment' ihe quantity of public money in th,i, p
anus and The number of objects TO which II is :.
pPieaele but as each person employed will have II
circle oil greater or lees diameter, Of which lie is
20 een'fe and The soul, circle composed ofGtiends
80 relations aud Of individuals employed by rim.
'H' on public or on private account, the sctusl ia
cfe 'se oil federal power and patronage bv tho 81
oPheshon OF the revenue, sill be, not in the di
nhme'ieal ratio but in geomeiricsl progression Ii
increase slmost beyond the power Of the mind m e,
''cnI5ie or comprehend" IA
The report then proceeds to give a lie, or tho 70
'i"es ana compensation of the officers Of the G.
's'ohs 10 New York. upon which the committee ri
axe the following comments
Formidable iist, indeed Formidable il, ~
'noefs' aud stu more go from the yast am ,,,, he
money IN their hands. The action of sueL tn
10Y o. men, sUpPosing them 10 be animated bv
&c spirit must be tremendous IN an election md
al 'hey "ili be 90 animated, is propos,,ion ,o, o
an 70 heco concentration. Power over mar %
PPof hss aiwsys been held and sdmi,,ed o. a. co
'"ef over be will. The President has oo,.s 70
81 'ne support OF oil these officers ,,d So. 90
s'h nave power over Tie supper, Of d.h,o, ~. ''s
s"~ 70 ihs smouui u ten anllior, ~ 49,, bal