Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-08-18

navy and to 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 considesa-
BILE reduction effected. Perhaps the two
Houses Of Congress have not done enough
in this matter but there is still time TO
complete their action.
But | believe that the spiri, OF retrench.
ment and reform--a sincere and honest
spirit mean--does animate large por-
ton Of both parties in this House, and
rejoice to say il; and | mus. also admit
that this is ono Of the subjects on which
gentlemen of the Democratic party have
more merit to plead than those Of the op.
posite side--more, at least, than can
pretend 10, Gf am to be considered as OF
the opposite party.) The process was
begun by them, while have been bat an
humble follower and so long as shall
have the honor Of seat here, so bel lip me
God, will be their follower, in every at
tempt, especially to reduce the military
force of the country in time Of peace,
whether in army or navy, Though | ad.
init that | did not support the attempted
reduction OF the nayy.)
Now, what has been the comparative
action of the Executive IN this matter OF
retrenchmentl 1t has been the increase
of both navy and army. The heads Of
the War and Navy Departments recon-.
mended appropriations 10 the amount Of
twenty millions of dollars-proposIng al
the same time additions in both Depart
menis, which must have cost al least IF
teen millions more. When this subject
Of retrenchment is protested by the Exec.
utive, what have we to learn from that
quarter? Words, words, words, and re-
Communications 10 increase both army and
navy.
Here, then, is the contras; between the
two opposite partIes-the Executive and
the Legislature-who are to be marshal
ed in this formidable and terrific war be-
fore the People, so far as this matter Of
retrenchment is concerned.
And here must again render due &C.
acknowledgement to the honest portion Of The
Democracy in this House for The lead
they have taken and the aid they have af-
forded US 10 all our efforts on this sub.
ject.
Next came the Apportonment bill and
in that, too, mus, do justice to the Dem.
ocratic party. In all its parts, that bill
was extremely against my will. thought
the number adopted most improper and
unjust one, and one which went in its eff.
fects directly against the popular principle
OF our Government, and Of this House in
but there was one redeeming
feature in the bill so excellent as to cover
q multitude of sins, and that was the sin.
gle district principle. That feature of
the bill was introduced by leading gen.
tleman of the Democratic party from s.
(Mr. Pickens,) and admit that
without his effectual aid, and that Of some
of his friends and associates, it could not
have been carried. The bill is in fact o
supplement to the Constitution, and con.
tains what should havs been and what
now is in the Constitution ITSELF
For what says ths Constitution That
he People of the United States shall be
10 divided in representation that there
shall be one Representative for such
number not tina. there shall be four
for four times that num-
Der. That is not one from every mass Of
he given number; and il is not in the
Evils Unexpectedly great
are liable to result from adopting ond act
ng on such n construction that one State
should be represented by the district sys
lem and one by the general ticket system,
is a state oil things not TO be tolerated for
any length Of time. This bill renders the
rule and principle of representation uni.
form and universal, and carries the popu-
lar principle of the Government into full
practical effect.
Now on this subject what has the Elk.
ecutive done ? He has approved the bill,
and annexed bane to the antidote which
s calculated, il not intended, to destroy
I. And what do we already see brew
ng? The majority see many who oppos-
i'd the bill from party feelings, or because,
heir States having adopted the general
ticket system, they felt the strength which
such an arrangement gave her in the ma.
ona councils, defending tho course Of
he Executive in accompanying the bill
with his reasons, and placing both on file
ogether, which was, in fact, veto under
he mask of an approval.
Then came the tariff, and this compet-
ID the system Of measures proposed by the
Wing party in the two Houses. This
vas the measure by which it was intend.
ID to make the revenue Of the country
'qual to ito expenditure. With infinite
pains and labor, and in the face Of the
most determined opposition, this measure
mas been carried twice through both
OF the Legislature, and the Elk.
scutive for reasons no doubt satisfactory
% himself, has vetoed both the bills
What else has he donel
say-your Judiciary Committee say
lawyer who has spoken says
even a very distinguished lawyer from
(who, nevertheless, defended
he case, taking special care, however, TO
1scaim all concurrence with him in opin-
on even he says-that the revenue can
not legally be collected. 1t is in truth
The British case Of ship money! case in
" hich the Presiden, had assumed TO raise
revenue from the People without warrant