The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-27
REFORM.

That unsullied purity should extend through
all the ramifcations of the Government and IN
waverng honesty pervade all the ranks Of its
officers is utterly impossible. Abuses will exist
in spite Of every effort at prevention or cure
Their discovery is often difficult, their remedy
when discovered, as often perplexing. Their
effects frequently betray their existence, when
the mischiefs they have caused are to some ex
tent past reparation. The fecuence of the at
mosphere is manifested only by the horrors Of
the epidemic, whose attacks battle in too many
instances the efforts of the most skilful.
But the evil enjoys protracted existence, and
is so conscious Of its strength that it scarcely
shuns publicity when its true character-not-
withstanding the specious aspect it may assume
If not known, is at least suspected, why is not
investigation instituted and its immediate ban,
ishment effected The Investigations indeed
are frequently made, but the happy results pro-
missed, have rarely followed. may be observ-
ed in passing that the action Of the Executive is
from its character quiet and unostentatious with
few exceptions, the beneficial effects of its inter-
ference are seldom published But when the
press raises its voice, orthe Legislature institutes
an inquiry, the cry of abuse and reform is rung
through the whole country. In adverting to the
causes which have prevented the correction Of
abuses, though their prevalence have been the
theme Of so much defamation, the first that
meets our attention is defective legislation and
inefficient inquiry Instituted by Congress.
No matter what may BE- the caution, purity,
and impartality exerted in the appointment Of
official agents, men unworthy Of confidence will
frequently be the successful candidates. OF the
absolute integrity Of host of the officers, there
never can be any certainty The only safe
guard, therefore, Of the public interests entrust-
ted TO their keeping must be judicous checks
and restraints established by law. If these are
not established by the Legislature, the wisdom
and caution Of the appointing power, whether
chief or subordinate, can avail but little. Even
after the most perspicacious ingenuity has
thrown around the public interests all the means
of protection It's ingenuity can devise, craft and
chicanery will in numberless instances find their
way through the meshes of the law, and prac-
tee their fraud with IMMUNITY. What then,
must be anticipated, when no legal restraints
whatever are imposed, when the preparation
of crime can be continued for years without the
possibility of detection, and when detected is
obnoxious to no punishment, which il regards 2
We do not intend to descend, at present, at
least. into delails-we wish to con6ne ourselves
10 the abstract question of the reason why abuses
may exist, without pointing out any individual
cases. But it is fact, the truth of which any
one may discover easily, that many Of the abuses
which may exist in different departments of the
Government may be, 10 great extent, prevent
ed by Judlcious system of checks, and the
enactment ofpunishment for guilt
The modes and motives of the inquiries insti
tuted by Congress, are another reason why they