The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-07-11

w nv, SIT, InlS Is nOb OilJ htoob oNsti
low piece of sophistry, but IS in fact most r1dI
culous absurdity.
Now, sir, how much easier do you suppose il
would be for the president to control the action
of six men appointed by himsclf-his own polit-
cal friends, and removable at his pleasure, than
a thousand, connected with the administration of
banks, who owe him no obligation-who DO not
derive their appointment from him, and who are
beyond the reach of his power of removal' This
is the whole question after all. 1t is not whether
he is to control the votes of six men or thous-
and, but whether he can more easily assume the
control over the public moneys in the hands of
six of his own subordinates, or thousand bank
officers intirely independent Of him in every re-
spect. Sir, the case is too plain and palpable to
admit of one moments doubt. If the ingenuity
of the whole world had been put to the torture to
invent the best scheme for placing the public mo-
neys under the absolute control of the president
by indirectioA, have no doubt, bat this Indepen-
dent Treasury scheme woald have been the re-
suit.
But, it is said the public moneys are to be, liz
the custody of the law" under the provisions of
this bill, and gentlemen ask with an air of tri-
umph, how the executive is to possess himself of
it? Sir, it seems to me, very distant relation
to Solomon, in point of wisdom, might readily
answer that question. He has only to issue the
word of command to his receivers general, and
should any of them prove refractory and refuse
to apply the public money in their custody, as
directed by him, what is the natural result
Why, sir, the moment any of these officers re-
fuse to obey the will of their master, they will
be informed that he has no further for their
services. And IN such a case the President would
find no difficulty in obtaining the services of
nereenary tool and scavenger of power, who
would think it tFglory enough to serve under
sSch Chief" and follow his dictation. Thus,
sir, the money of the people may be removed
from the 'ecustody of law," and used by the Pre-
sident to accomplish any scheme of ambition he
might mediate against the liberties of the coun-
try.
Sir, we have on our public records, prece-
dent in point, which will not soon BE- forgotten.
The public moneys were in the custody of the
law when they were on deposite in the bank of
the United States But, sir, the President de-
ternined to remove them from ITS custody, con-
trary to the will of Congress, expressed in the
most solemn form. He commanded his Secreta-
ry of the Treasury to perform the act, and he re-
fused, upon the ground that he had the most
conclusive evidence that the public deposites
were safe, and he believed he was not authorized
by law to remove them upon any ether ground
What was the result This faithful public
officer instantly casliercd for his independ-
ence, and a successor appointed, who had doubt
less, agreed in advance to perform the infamous
deed. The man who committed this outrage
upon the laws, was Roger Il. fancy, one of the
most ultra federalists in America; and | concur
entirely in the opinion expressed yesterday by
my friend from Kentucky, (Mr. Pope) that the
President could not have got any man but an old
federalist, to become his instrument in commit
ting such an act of executive usurpation. This
man, sir, is now wearing the robes Of the illus
trious Chief Justice Marshall He is now fill
ing the highest judicial station in the U. States;
but, sir, will not say that it is the reward of
that act of political prostitution. In this case,
Mr.. Chairman, the public treasure was removed
from the custody of the law, and was kept for
more than three years by private contract, at the
entire discretion of the President, and as
pletely under his control if it had been in his
own pocket. And, sir, by similar process, it
may be done again.
Sir, should be unwilling to place so much
power within the reach of any man, no matter
how much might confide in his honesty and in
tegrity but much less would be inclined to
place it within the reach of man, whose whole
history proves that aVarice and ambition are the
leading passions of his soul, and the governing
principles of all his actions. will conclude my
remarks on this point, sir, by calling the atten-
ton of the committee to the report OF commit
tee of Ssretrenchment and reform" which was
raised in the Senate, in 1926, and of which MIR.
Benton was chairman, and MIR. Van buren, was
also member [ shall read short extract from
it. without comment; and do it, MIR. Chairman,
to show what the President and MIR. Benton, and
all ln6 Intn Vi pdAtt NOW III POhCA5
thought at that tune, of the power which the
President is able to exercise the actions and
conduct of his subordinate officers. 1t sustaIns
me to the fullest extent in the positions have
assumed; and beg the attention of gentlemen
to it; for, whatever may think OF it, coming as
it does from the President himself, and the heir
apparent to the succession, in the event Mr.. Van
Buren, should be reelected, it must be good au-
thorty with the friends of this bill. Speaking
of the alarming increase of executive power and
patronage under the then existing administra-
ton, the committee use this strong and emphatic
language:-
sfrhe king of England is the fountain of hon
or; the President Of the United States is the
source of patronage. He presides over the en-
tire system of federal appointments, jobs and
contracts; he has power over the support of the
individuals who administer the system. He
makes and un-nakes them. He chooses from
the circle of his friends and supporters, and MAY
dismiss them and, upon all the principles OF
human action, aoiH dismiss them as often as they
disdppoian his cope Citations
Again they say-s We must look forward to
the time when the nomination of the President
can carry any man tlIouSl. the Senate, and his
recommendation can carry any measure through
the two Houses of Congress When the primer
pie of public action will be open and avowed-
the President wants my vote and want ms pa
tronage ,cM cote as he acishes, and he s1W
gtCe me Lhe oUtce tCtSH .JUT. w HAT VIII eiiiS
be- they exclaim, but the government OF one man:
And what is the government of ono man, but a
monarchy
Now, Mr.. Chairman, how many of these sage
predictions have we seen literally fulfilled And,
sir, pass this bill and we shall soon them ali
fulfiled-and if possible more. Who has bold
ness enough to deny that at this moment, the
time has arrived when the nomination OF the
President can carry any man through the Senate,
- he Recommendation can carry any mea-
sure through the two houses of Congress. Sir,
and humiliating as the idea must be,
to every man who values liberty and who wishes
to preserve unimpaired, and transmit to his chill.
dren the inestimable legacy bequeat hed to US by
our revolutionary fathers, we now behold this
prediction so fearful at the time it was made and
now, realized to the fullest extent. The Presi.
dent at this moment exercises the most fearful
and unlimited control over both branches OF Con
islative department of the Government, which
ought to be the guardian of popular rights-tht