Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-05-09

uilice--it will be found that there are MANY
items included in 1888, ofocca siunai or tenn
poiary character, not included in the former
and with which no Admin stra,ion is Justly
charSeable. Oithese, we will mention one
million dollars for SURPRISING aud prevent
my Indian hostilities; six millions seven
hundred and forty thousand for the same
and Tor the Cherokee treaty; Removal of 10
dians, annuities, Sc, $2,G40, O0O-Appro-
priations Tor the Post office, not embraced in
any bill till 1886, and now only nominal, be-
cause paid out oi the hostages, 81 $50 600
protection OF the Northern frontier, S635
600, and nominal item in the Navy appro.
priation bill, being the transfer of an unex-
pended balance 10 the years 1889 and lS4O.
81 800 ,OOO-amouniiDg TO Sl7 ,065, 900.
These sums, as well as the others before
mentioned, are included in the appropri-
atoms OF 1883, and help TO constitute that
aggregate OF 3S millions, OF which we have
heard SO much. II the situation Of the coun.
uy rendered them necessary, no blame can
attach 10 any one. Ii otherwise, all parties
must share IT. Ii may alsu in connection
with this subject, be observed, tina, the Gov,
| eminent has been charged with more than
$1,000 900, received under the French and
Neapolitan treaties, which was paid over 10
our citizens entitled 10 receive it,
Several defalcations' Of Federal Officers
lately brought to light, have directed the
public attention TO that SUBJECT. The most
serious oil them occurred in the Custom
House al New York, and was noticed bv
The president in his annual message. He
states That The case was one which impera.
lively claimed the attention of Con gress and
furnished the strongest motive for the es-
laoiishmeni oil more severe and secure sys-
lem ior the sale keeping and disbursement
oil Tho public moneys, than any that had
heretofore existed. at seems proper a, al,
events he adds THAT by an eorly enact
ment, similar TO that Of CHER countries, the
application oil public money by an officer of
Government To private uses, should be made
a felony, and visited with severe and ieno,
minious punishment. The Government. il
must be admitted, has been from its COM
mencement, comparatively fortunate in this
respect. But the appointing power cannot
always be well advised in lis selections, and
The experience OF every country has shewn
that public officers are moi al all times, proof
against temptation" In pursuance OF hi.
earnest Recommendation, The finance com
m.tiee of the Senate prepared, with e1eal
care, a bill 10 guard the deiaca lions OF pub.
lie officers T.; 10 provide more efIectualiy a.
gainst the preparation OF fraud, and its con-
cealmeni, by new checks upon tho officers;
and 10 punish these violations OF their uub
Senate without serious opposilion-but in
The House, where recently the Opposition
have controlled every measure, il was not
acted upon. We might appeal 10 these facts,
10 show who are anxious 10 apply d remedy
TO this evil, and who are indifferent 10 il. as
long as it may sc rye the purposes Of uaIty.
That The Administrative Department Of the
Government needs reform, we doubt not.
and that numerous ,'eialcalions, in addition
10 those brought TO light, exist, IS but loo
PROBABLE But every impartial man must
admit, with MIR. Calhoun in his late sueecL
on the bii! TO prevent The interference of
certain Federal officers in elections, that the
FAULT has been more in The system than in
those who have been charged With the adj
minis!raion OF the Government Wekpow
indeed, that there have been numerous de-
iaulting officers under every administrator
aud ii she amount o! deiaIcalions has in
creased within d few years il is To be asCri,,-
ed 10 the vast amount of additional expepdi.
tufes-lo the large SUMS passing throug the
hands OF The collecting and disbursiDg off.
GERS which no system Of keeping the pub.
liC moneys Can prevent; TO The additional
nun Der Of officers, and 10 The wild spirj, of
speculation which has within tina; period
been carried 10 such excess, corrupting and
deInordlZing every class Of society," All
| that the Chief Magistrate can do in such ca,
ses, without other legal enac,mebts, is TO
DISMISS The oihCer as suun as his default is
reported 10 him or, if il has been conceal
ed through the cuipahle neglect of the &C,
counting or controlling officers, 10 discharge
them, too, without delay, whatever iuier>
cessIon may be made in their behalf and tc
Whatever pnrty they belong. The appoints
ing power has too often TO depend upon the
recommendations OF others and is too lre-
quently deceived in bis selections This is
| incident TO the nature OF his duty, ard cam
not DC imputed as crime. lie is cuIpable
only, when be retains worthless ncumbebts,
after proof Of their guilt or incspacitv.-
Such, we admit, he ought Immediately to
DISMISS, regardless OF the cry of prescription
which is sure 10 be raised by captious parij-
Fans, and we have every reason 10 hope and
relieve, that he Will perform bis duty faith
| fully.
Such, fellow citizens, is the frank ard
candid review oitbe present state Of parties,
with which we have deemed il important TO
present you.-Called together by your COM
maOd, 10 consult for The interest OF that great
party in the Common ealth 10 which ws
belong, we have thought 10 lock back upon
its origin, upon its progress, and its princi-
pies. Founded upon the broad basis Of The
rigbts OF The people and The sovereignty of
The States, il has struck It's roots deep in the
affections Of the great mass OF the public.
IL has never been ashamed 10 take 10 itself
The arpeiiation oil The "Democraiic Repub-
iIcdn party" 1t sprung ny in the days
when the infusion OF Democracy into OR
institutions chrr,shct wv lie lec1ere 40