Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-07-16

~ continuing uniaitbu men IN ohice, but by pro-
noting them for their misconduct. lie, then. most
unexpectedly becomes bis champion and eulogist,
and Ietuiantiy plains that we are oyernics in
our demands for correct government.
Page 40, The gentleman 10 loud in his denuncia-
tons OF Mr. Host collector al N. York; thinks bis
conduct unjosuhabIe; and yet, sir, Mr.. Hoyt is
still collector; and the gentleman now breaches to
ia passice obedience. Page 70, we find the COM
mittee saying, that,
From The preceding evidence, the committee
report the following fact, established
I" That the late Compuol ler of the Treasury.
George Wolf, Esq, collector Of the port Of
Philadelphia, guilty, while in said Office Of
Comptroller, Of cupabIe disregard Of law and ne
eject Of duty both 10 regard the bonds Of collec-
filed in his oce, and the records thereon regul-
rod BY law and 10 settling and certifying 10 the Re-
gister the Of Samuel Swartwout. late Col
ctor, without having transmitted 10 him the youch-
els therefor required by positive injunction ofiaw"
will tread lightly here, sir. This officer Is no
more. But, cir, after this downright charge Of
"euIpapbe disregard OF law" made by the gentle
man from Virginia, this officer, who bad neglected
his duiy and violated all law, was appointed coller-
tor OF customs OF Philadelphia. Unfit TO be Comp
troller, be was fully qualified 10 superin,eDd some
hundreds Of officers, and TO receive millions OF the
public money annually.
Page AL. The Frat Auditor is denounced as
negligent and Incompetent. Yet now, not a word
Of complaint from The gentleman from Virginia;
aud oil this {" criminal neglect and official negl'-
gencs," which in 839 appeared to The gentleman
80 unustifable, monstIous, TO- in I84O quite in
nocent, very excusabe, and entirely unworthy Of
rious consideration. This is, indeed, a change Of
opinion Last year to denounce the Administer
ton, sub Treasury and all: this year, to support II
warmly, and lie darling sub Treasury too. know,
Dir, that with some politicians ii becomes necessary
to alter their opinions and the change OF the gen
,emsn recalls to my recollection passage once
read in one OF Bulwers work. in which the polite
courtier finds tneeessary to change his opinions in
order TO keep pace with the shifting policy of The
Court.
Well have decided my change Of life"
said the lawyer, with slight SIGH.
so have on my change Of opinion" chimed
in the Earl. II will tell you what opinions seem
to me like
What I" said Brandon.
Trees y answered Mauleyerer, quantity eff
they can be made serviceable by standing. don't part
with stick; but when they of that growth that
sells veil, or whenever they shut out fine pros
pect, cut them down aud pack them of By all man.
ner OF means"
|, Mr.. Chairman. shall not inquire TO the eau
Sc. which led the gentleman from Virginia TO this
sudden, startling change in his political opinions.
| am not even inqusitive or interested enough to
inquire whether his former opinions shut jfns
prospect. Il is sufficient for me to know that he
has cut them all down. The reason is with him
self. But, sir, he will excuse me when say that
think il in bad taste for him criicise too narrow
y the ground we tread when be 50 re Gently taught
that il duty to walk it icaressy, bong
the path OF rectitude and honor. When the gentle
shall svot with clew 10 the labyrinth the
mazes OF which be is treadlrg, and shall give Us
something like convincing proof that he puIsues its
tortuous wihdIngs, not from personal aegrandize-
ment OF Ambitious aspirations, then sir, we may
again, with ibdulgent eye, look VI on hi. course
Until then, sr, the gentleman must excuse US if we
look suspicIously on his advice, aud dislrustngly
upon the POSITION he has assumed. l WILL Mr..
Chairman, give one other extrac, from the report
of the committee ef which the &c nllensn was zea-
lous member and then leave il the gentleman to
reconcile the opinions then expressed with his pre-
course.
But, the important results which have been al.
tanned, notwithstanding the disadvantages advered
to, cannot fail to inspire the country with conf.
dent hope that the high obligation which will rest
upon the SUCCESSORS OF the present Congress the
legislative councils of The nation, to resume and
complete the great wok Of invesiig alton and reform
e the alarming condition and abuses of the Execu-
i've Departments of the Governments, from the
highest to the lowest. aud from the nearest to the
remotest funetionsre~, will secure the prompt and
efficient attention which iis magnitude demands.
Guided solely by the character of The develop
ments hch the investigation imposed upon them
by the House has ehciled the committee cannot re
sst The conviction that, al period in the hstor,
Of the Federal Government, has there been deepe,
or better founded cause than xsts al the present
moment for every patti lot heart to desire promp,
contamination Of that signal TASK Of reform which
public sentiment many years since, inscribed on
the Isf Of Era rhHrHSfsYs fnoI 10
Die 10 be overlooked requiring. particularly, the
correction Of those abuses that have brought he
patronage of the Federal Government into conflict
with The freedom Of eleciions. and the conaterac.
hon Of those uh,ch hare disturbed The right
FIJI course Of appointment, and hare placed or
continued Poper an uNFAiTHFuL OR IScoaPErEsr
HANDS"
We here read of the OBLIGATION which rests up
on thi. Congress - TO resume and complete the
great feork Of inpesfi gatiOn-rcform Of the aiar-
ming condition and abuses If The E1ecuttpe De-
partments Of the GOrernmenti !" and yet, sir, the
gentleman has not only neglected to resume and
complete" The work he commenced. but has joined
the parry which PEI miited and coun,enanced these
abuses, and refuses to grant investigation -
We also resd, that at no period in the history Of
the Federal Gopsrhment has there existed so
much necessity for every osttlot heart TO rally To
he rescue of The country anu ,et, sir the gentle
man, instead Of hghung under our Glorious and
bright banner Of eform has rallied under the slack
and pi,atical flag Of Van Bursni-m. Sir, said Mr.
+ take no pleasure ia crilicisng the course Of
any gentleman | know the falhbility Of human
nature. regret being compelled to show to my
ellowcitizens the co,rup,ons Of their government
regret thai this corruption exists | am sorry that
he necessity is forced upon take any thing
like prominent position in denouncing the conduct
Of tho Administration. ! know that faithful dis
charge Of duty will draw down the excavations and
base calumnieS Of the Administration presses our
motives impugned; public course misre presented :;
private character assailed o. ifes life lied AWAY"
But, sir, |. for one, will pursue my course with the
same def ing spirit which animated the poet when
ne exclaimed -