The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-07-30
VOL. HI. NO. l0A

abu'es already existing, and essentially liable to
aug mented: The dang,
which assas the freedom of tho press through n
insnuation of this spedes of influence, is far NOR
serious than any sar-chamber code of pains AM
penalties This pecuniary censorship of tho pres
must end IN It's utter prostitution to an ndscrimi
nate support of the acts of Government, how
People
10 curtall this dangerous patronage, the commit
zee proposed that the control Of the printing Of the
annual volume of tho laws should be taken from
the Secretary of State, and given TO the Secretary
OF the Senate " tho Clerk of the House of Repre-.
IohlanVes that the Secretary of State should be
Compelled 10 select the paper published bv the
printer OF the laws OF each State to publish the
laws OF the United States that the papers publish
ca by the printers of both Houses of Congress
should be sci ected to publish tho laws and Govern
ment advertisements in the District of Columbia !;
and That the job printing, binding and stationary
io' each Department should be done and furnished
under contracts made by the lowest bidders, Oh ad-
yerIlsed proposals.
AND now, Mr. Chairman, what account riiust /
give OF heSG promised reforms ? Can [ tell Won
Una, .ney were executed after the reforming Ad
In'hlstratIon came into power No, sir. Was no
proposition made in Congress to that effect by the
reiormers None Did not General Jackson
press me matter in his messages to Congress Not
at an SIr, not word was heard from him or
ms trends, on that subject after he came into pow
en- Inc visions of danger which stood before the
| ierrIhod eyes of the retrenchment committee in
1923 had passed away 'as dream when one a:
wHkeh.
But 1t may be asked, if no Legislation was pro-
posod as a remedy for abuses in the Executive
patronage OF the press, did not the Executive him
sell very cautiously avoid such an exercise OF that
patronage as would 'insnUate an influence that
should Interfere with 'the freedom of the press a.
prostitute II to an indIscriminate support of the
acts OF the government ? Did he not, for exam
PEE direct the Socrotaty OF State divide The pat
ronage OF publishing the laws fairly among the pa
eis Oh tlo different parties, having respect ioca:
uon, circulation, and moral and literary cbaracter2
Say-IlOWeVer L he IN
reward friends and punish enemies' will never
consent to extend that principle to THE PREss
whose entire and perfect freedom from Executive
influence is indispensable its fidelity as a senti-
mel on the watch-tower ofeedom (?
mr Chairman, the President neither said nor did
any such things as the questions suggest. No. sir;
he very reverse of 1T was then, and has ever since
peen, the settled policy Of the Administration In
carrying out this policy the press has been approach
Gu win Inc same influence that has been brought
pear upon the host of applicants for Office. Exc
cuuve subserviency has been made the test SIM
port me administration, or you shall not publish
me Jaws OF Congress or the advertisements of the
departments, or do any work for the Government
lhero was not au Opposition press in the empIov
OF the Government at the time this Administration
came into power, that has been able to retain its
employment without changing its political ciarac-
ter And there is not a single press now ENJOYING
,he Executive patronage, that become truly in.
dependent,but at the hazard Of an instantaneous &
EN- em'ire Withdrawal Of thai patronage. Nor is this
all a great number, probably not far from
one hundred, editors printers of newspa.
Pers nave been appointed to lucrative Offices MANY
OF them have received the office of postmaster,
Wnch mas givento their establishments very pc
cuiiar advantages. Many presses il is well Known
have hsen ERE from Slh8sg BY The neFs sitI thng
received through Executive patronage 1
Thus sir, have the sound doctrines of Inc r,
r l,a, report been dsregarded. 1t aided to
c"tve and Power into hands that have
delicate public trust, be used WITH
of the danger of lis perversion has beon treated
private property, vested in the President and his
hi, ho InGfr nj
menting Executive influence, and perpetuating
surped Executive power.
PledgcS Of General JackS0n's haangurat
have now, Mr. Chairman, done with the false
clamor and the deceptive professions and pledges
which preceded the election of General Jackson
in 1928. On the duh of March, 1929, he took the
Chair Of State. Sir, shall never forget that dav.
II was not, however, its parade and pomP and pa
goantry that left the deep impression The shouts
of the immense multitude who gathered to witness
the inauguration of tho great 'Reiormer soon died
loon my ear The modification of sooing pure
put down, and It's INSCRIPTIONS
,ssailans elevated to power, soon ceased to ioei
But there were some things that could not, aud
never cam forget, because they formed the soul OF
hat ceremony, and sustained deep and enduring
elation to tho subsequent administration of the
Government. 1t was between the centre plliars oil
he eastern porlico of this Capitol that l saw the
President stand up, and, in the presence of assem-
led thousands utter, as a apart OF his inaugural
ADDRESS, what will now read
sThe recent demonstration of public sentiment
nscribes on the list Of Executive dutes in chnrac-
nr TOO epible TO he overlooked the task of roform,
Which will require particularly the correction of
hose abuses that have brought the patronaseof
he federal Government into conflict with the iree-
Iorn of elections, and the counteractlon OF those
auses which have disturbed the rightu course OF ).
pponment aud have placed the performance of'
task thus generally deienatod, shall cndeavo.
q select men whose diligence and talents VIII
insure in their respective sations able and faithful
g. operation depending for the advancement OF
he public service on ahe integrity and zeni OIL
he nublic officers than their numbers. n alin-
lence perhaps tooiust, in my own qualifications,
viii teach me to louk with reverence TO the exam
,les of public virta,s le % - nunnn
'ors, and with
nsssfaF NM
formed our