Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-08-13


more full aud explicit than is in my own possession
| In reference to this second bill, 1t will reeur 4
the memory Of every individual that the views an'
opinions Of the Executive were INDUCED to an ex
| tent such as never before was conceded by lie
sislature to an Executive since our Government has
! an exstence-even to the changing Of the name q
be given TO the institution proposed; was 10 b'
called n "Fiscality," Fiscal Corporation az
"Exchequer Of ISSUE" any thing but the odious sn1
terrific name Of Bank. But all was IN vain. Anu
now ask who is responsible for THAI viii AUG
no more on that point
And what came next1 Retrcnehmeni. Inns en-
tiers into the general operation oil the Two housesi
and in regard to il may be permitted TO say that
the spirit OF retrenchmcnt has perhaps in some in
stances been overscted. Many think so. We have
had from gentleman rom Virginia Mr. Summers
n minute report on the expenditures OF this House
cutting them down to the lowest point; nbridgins
members of tr'nmg convcnences which had always
heretofore been extended to them, and going down
to matters tho most minute. We had had some
three or four select committees on retrenchment be-
fore. The thing has Been carried through etfec-
lively, and report from the gentleman from Albe-
marie mir Gilmerl remains, in part, yet TO be act
ed on.
Then came reductions in the estimates for the ar
my and navy; these are not yet consummated,
though they have, in grear degree, been accom-
plished. Aud here give mo leave to say, that when
gentlemen are serious in their intentions TO reduce
the expenses OF this Government, II is the army aud
the navy on which they must lay their hand. There
We retrench by millions; here, by picayunes We
never shall retronch etiectualy TILL we do u IN the
appropriations, for the army and navy. The esti-
mates for these alone are this year over twenty mil.
lions Of dollars; and yet hear gentlemen talking
here about reducing the whole expenditures OF the
Government TO twenty two millions, How are they
going to do in BY the cutting of OF lew pages2 by
savings in quilts aud pensl 10y putting members on
an allowance of letter paperi by cutting down the
allowance Of deputy doorkeeper, orthe waiter who
hnil onr hrea nd WI h.
holding from our Reporters paper on which TO re-
port our daily proceedings How much shall we
relieve the country by matters such as thesei But
when you come to the navy and 10 the army, there
you cut deep. Even should you do no more than
carry out what you have commenced in these things,
there will be considerable reduction effected. Per
haps the two Houses ot-Consress have not done
enough IN this natter but there Is st Tune 10 com
ple,e their action.
Bnt believe that the spirit oil retrenehment and
reform sincere and honest splnt ! msan,doe'
animate large portion OF ooh parties IN this houSe,
and l rejoice to say It; and must also admt that
ihis Is one oil the SUBJECTS on whieh senuemen OF
the Democratic party nave more merit 10 p,eau 'han
those oil the oposie slde-mote, ~ east, than can
pretend Ia, IN am 10 be CONSIDERED as one oil the
opposite partyI The process was begun 10y them,
while have been but an humb'e follower; and SO
long as shall have the bonor of seat here, SO help
me God Will be their follower, IN every attempt,
especially, TO reduce tho military force of the coun
(thoush admit that did not support the attempt
ed reduction OF the navy.)
Now, what hos been the comparative action OF
the Executive IN tbs matter OF retrenchmenu Ii
has been the increase OF both navy and army. The
heads OF the War and Navy DepariIa0pts have
recommended appropriations 10 the mhount Of
twenty millions OF dolars--proposing at The same
time additions IN both Departments, which must
nave cost al least hiteen millions more. When this
SUBJECT OF retronchment Is professed by the Ex-
NEh Qf u fra 4 hat rNa II
words, words, and Recommendations to increase
10th army and navy.
Here, then, is the contrast between the two op.
posite partes-the Executive and the Legislature
who are to be msrshalled IN his formidable and
terrhc war before the People, SO far as this matter
Of reirenchment is concerned.
And here ! must again render due acknowledg.
ment 10 the honest portion Of the Democracy in this
House for the lead they have taken and the aid they
have afforded us in all efforts this subject.
Next came the Apportionment bill; and 10 that,
too must do justice 10 the Democratic party. la
all its parts, that bill was extremely against my will.
| thought the number adopted n most improper and
unjust one, and one which went in its effects direct
~ against the popular principle of our Government,
and OF this House in particular; but there was one
redeemng feature in the bill SO excellent as to cover
a multitude of sins, and that the single district
principle. That feature OF the bill was introduced
by a leading gentleman OF the Democratic party
from South Carolina, MIR Pickens,) and admit
his friends and associates. it could not have been
carried. The bill IS in fact a supplement 10 the
Constitution, and contains what should have been.
nnd what virtually now is, in the Constitution it.
self. For what says the Constitution That the
People Of the United States shall be so divided 10
representation that there shall he one Representative
Tor such number not that there shall be four Re-
representatives. for four times that number. That is
not one from every mass Of the given number; and
II IS not IN the Constitution. Evils Unexpectedly
great are liable TO result from adopting and acting
on such construction: that one State should be
presented by the district system and one by the ge
neral ticket system, - state Of things not 10 be
tolerated Tor any length OF time. This bill renders
the rule and principle OF representation uniform and
universal, and carries The popular principle OF the
Government INTO Toll practical effect.
Now on this subject what has he Executive done7
lie has approved the bill, and annexed bsne 10
the an.dots which 10 calculated if not intended, TO
destroy II And ~ha! DO we already see brewing
L ne majority see many who opposed the bill from
party ieeiings or because hoir Si1tes having adopt
90 me general ticket system, they felt the strength
when such an arrangement gave her IN the national
;ounci s, defending the course OF the Executive in
accompanying ue o'l WIN ms reasons ano placing
both on NE togeiner, "hleh was, IN TACT, veto I'M
oeI 1ne HasA OF an approval.
iheh came the lariil' ana ms completed the sys-
ZEN Q, measures proposed by the Wing party in the
I"o HOUSES. MS was the measure oy which II
vas Iu'ei,oeu 70 NUKE the ,evsnue OF the country
iuaI ~ Is expenditure. win hunte pains and
laooI anu III 'he lAce Of INC most determined oppo-
sH1h, thIs measure mas oeen carried twice through
oo'h ola"rhes OF me Legislature, ana The Executive
,oI Ivasohs no u0uo' sasaetory 10 himself has We
'oIu oo'" .ne ohs' Wha' e,se mas ne done
sayLyou. 'uuls'ary Comnttee say-every
y.' wv nae sPVsen SayS-eVeh very dsiIn-