Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-12-15

The report Of the Secretary Of the Ma.
Wy, will place you in possession Of the
present condition of that important arm
of the national defence. Every effort will
be made to add 10 its efficiency and can.
not too strongly urge upon you, liberal ap-
preparations to that branch Of the public
service. inducements of the weishtiest
character exist for the adoption of this
course of policy. Our extended and 9TH
erwise exposed maritime frontier, calls for
protection, TO the furnishing Of which an
efficient naval force is indispensable. We
look to no foreign conquests, nor do we
propose to enter into competition with
any other nation for supremacy on the
Ocean,-,but it Is due not only TO the hon
or, but TO the security of the People of
The United States, that no nation should
be permitted 10 invade our waters at plea
sure, and subject our towns and villages
to conhagration or pillage. Economy in
all branches OF the public service, is due
from all the public agents to the people
but parsimony alone would suggest the
Withholding of the necessary means, for
the protection Of our domestic frcsides
from invasion, and our national honor from
disgrace. would most earnestly recon.
mend 10 Congress, TO abstain from all ap-
preparations, for objects not absolutely ne
cessary; but take upon myself. without
a moment Of hesitancy, all the response
bility Of recommending the increase and
prompt equipment of that gallant Navy,
which has lighted up every sea with It's
victories, and spread an imperishable glo-
ry over the country.
The report of the Postmaster General
will claim your particular attention, not
only because OF the valuable suggestions
which il contains, but because Of the great
importance which, at all times, attaches
to that interesting branch of the public
service. The increasing expense of trans
porting the mail along the principal routes
necessarily claims the public attention,
and has awakened corresponding solicit
tude on the part of the government. The
transmission of the mails must keep pace
with those facilities Of intercommunica-
lion which are every day becoming great
er through the building of rail roads and
the application Of steam power; but it
cannot be disguised that in order to do so,
the Post Office Department is subjected
to heavy exactions. The lines of COM
munIcation between distant parts of the
Union, are to great extent, occupied by
rail roads, which, in the nature Of things,
possess complete monopoly and the de-
partment is thereby liable to heavy ard
unreasonable charges. This evil is destl-
ned to great increase in future; and some
timely measure may become necessary to
guard against it.
feel il my duty TO bring under your
consideration practice which has grown
up in the administration of the Govern
ment, and which, am convinced ought
to be corrected. allude to the exercise
of she power, which usage rather than rea-
son, has vested in the Presidents, of reno
wing incumbents from office in order TO
substitute others more in favor with the
dominant party. My own conduct in this
respect, has been governed by conscien-
cious purpose to exercise the removing
power only in cases of uniaithfulness or
inability, or in those in which its exercise
appeared necessary, in order 10 discoun-
teHdHCe anu suppress lnat spiTlt oi dCtINc
partisanship on the part of holders of of
fee, which not only withdraws them from
the study and impartial discharge of their
official duties, but exerts an undue and in
furious influence over elections, and de-
grades the character of the Government
itself, inasmuch as it exhibits the Chief
Magistrate as being a party, through his
agents, in the secret plots or open work
lngs of political parties.
In respect to the exercise of this power,
nothing should be left to discretion which
may safely be regulated by law /; and it is
of high importance to restrain as far as
possible, the stimulus of personal interests
in public elections. Considering the great
increase which has been made in public
offices in the last quarter of century.
and the probability of further increase, we
incur the hazard of witnessing violent po-
litical contests, directed too often bv the
single object of retaining office, by those
who are in, and obtaining it by those who
are out. Under the influence Of these
convictions shall cordially concur IN anv