Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1842-02-05

| CuIlCu otdleS TOT Tue Time DelDH TWO VI
them. These Commissioners, thus vr-
tualIy deriving their appointment from
Congress, were entrusted with very i'm
portant powers in regard to the redemption
of the public debt, being authorized, at
their discretion, TO purchase it in from time
to time, to borrow money for the purpose,
and to appoint subordinate agents.
Now, sir, if the constitution of this com
mission, which continued in full activity for
forty years of our history, was not plain
usurpaton, what is there to prevent Con
gress from making a legislative organza-
ton of the Treasury of the Uniied States,
on the same principles, and concentrating
that complete separation Of the purse aud
the sword, ofthe Treasury from Tie Erecu-
the, which has been 50 loudly demanded
by the public sentiment Of the country
The Treasury Department, as at present
constituted, embraces great variety Of
functions, entirely distinct in their charac-
ter, and which ought to be separated in
practice. Al that relates to the gcReraL
f5t0nccS Of the country. plans for raising
revenue and for tie support Of public
credit, estimates Of income and cxpendi-
lures. &c. might be left With prcprietv.
as at present, in the hands Of the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury as cabinet minister.
But whatever relates to the receipt. safe
hcCpjng, and issuing ofMe public money,
in pursuance Of appropriations made
by law, functions which constitute the
Treasury proper in the contemplation Of the
Constitution of the United States. cores
ponding to the EqcAeYncr in England,
should be under separate and indopcnd-
ent administration. Let 4 new Depart
mcnt, then, be created. comprehcnding
these functions exclusively, which, together
with the numerous and complicated de-
tails incident to the m vemrnt and transfer
Of the public funds. would afford ample &C.
cupation for distinct and responsible de-
partment. Let board of OK officio cam
mjssjonerS. formed upon the model of the
Commissioners Of the Sinking Fund, con-
sisting for example. of the Chief Justice
Of the United States. Of the President of
the Senate, and Of the Speaker Of the
House Of Representatives. Tor the time be-
Ing. be placed at the hend OF this Depart
m2nt, and be charged with general super
rigo}g0r r5S|iat0r5ai power over the TrcaSuyU
Of the JHHci HaieS. which would require
nothing more at their hands than one or
two periodical inspections of the condition
of the TTcGHmY in the course Of the year,
and an annual report Of It's operations 10
be made 10 Congress within the first
month Of each session. This beard, being
thus constituted the head Of the new De-
partmont, under that clause Of the Consti-
tuition which authorizes congress by law
to vest the appointment Of such inferior
officers as they think proper in the heads
| Of DCDui tmtatS,' &c. provision might be
made for ycsting the appointment Of Treo-
SNrer, Of the members of the proposed
Erch"qucr, and of all other officers con
ccrncd in the active duties of the Depart
ment, in the Board Of Commissioners,
who should alone. too. have the power Of
removing any of these funciionlries from
office in case Of ma!versation or incomDe-
tency. throw out these suggestions for
the consideration Of the Senate, not as
having very thoroughly pon6ered them
myself, though they have often passed
through my mind in the deep anxiety |
feel for the accompl ishmeut Of the object
at which they ainl---an entire withdrawal
of the Treasury from any connection with.
or dependence on, tie Executive. If there
should be no constitutions! impeachment to
their adoption. and | confess AM not III
cncd to be astuta in searching for one in
such 4 cause. they would Ea the means Of
cilectinG great political reform and OF
attordIng security for the public liberty,
Tie Importance Of which, in the general
sentiment cf the country, cannot, am
sure, be OvCrratci.
IT, however, upon consideration. it should
be thought that the actual provisions Of
the Constitution. notwithstanding the prac-