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

Tha, unsullied purity should extend through
all the notifications of the Government and I'M
wavering 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 PREPARATION. The feculence 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 1t 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 effected7 The Investigations indeed
are frequently made, but the happy results pro-
missed, have rarely followed. Itmay be observ-
ed in passing that the action of the Executive is
from its character quiet and unostentatious: with
fewexceptions, the beneficial effects Of its inter-
ference are seldom published. But when the
press raises It's 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 impartiaty exer,ed 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 judicious 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 its ingenuity can devise, craft and
chicanery will in numberless instances find their
way through the meshes of the law, and prac-
tice their fraud with impunity. 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 10 no punishment, which it regards ,
We do not intend to descend, at present, at
least, into detas-we wish to confne ourselves
to 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, to- great extent, prevent
ed by Judicious 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