Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-05-08
WILMINGTON, n. c.. FRIDAY. MAY s. 1916.

cd. To break the seal of confidence imposed by
the law, and heretofore uniformly preserved, would
be subversiye Of the very purpose Tor which the
law enacted and might be productive of the
most disastrous consequences. he expenditures
of this confidential character. it is believed,
never before sought to be made pubhc and should
greatly apprehemd the consequences of establishing
a precedent which would render such disclosures
hereafter inevitable ~.-. ...+.- r.t a."
| | am fully aware Of the strong and correct pub
lie feeling which exists throughout the country
acainst secrecy of any kind in the administration
of the COVE -nmrnt and especially in reference to
pubic expenditures; yet our foreign negotiations
are wisely and properly confined to the knowledge !.
of the Executive. during their tendency Our
| laws require the accounts of every particular ex-
penditure to be rendered and publicly settled at
the Treasury Department. The single exception !
which exists is, not that the amount embraced un-
der Pres dents certificates should be withheld from
the public, but merely that the items of which
these are composed shall not be divulged. To
this extent, and no further, is secrecy observed.
The laudable vigilance of toe people III regard
to all the expenditures of the Government, we'll
as a sense of duty on the part of the President,
and desire to retain the good opin of his fei-
low citizens, will prevent any Gum expended fona
being accoun ed FIR by the Presidents certificate,
unless in cases of urgent necessity. Such cerlif-
Gates have therefore been resorted to but seldom
throughout past history.
For my own part, have not caused any &C.
count whatever 10 be setteld on a Presidential
certificate. | have no occasion Rendering it
necessary. in my judgment, to make such a
certificate; and it wonld be an extreme case
Fl which would ever induce me TO exercise This
Authority; yet, if such case should arise, it
would be my duty TO assume the responsibility
fdevolved on eby law. f1..
During my administration. all expenditures
for contingent expenses of foreign intercourse,
in which The accounts have been closed have
been settled upon regular vonchers,as all 9TH
er public accounts are settled atthe treasury.
5 ltmay be alleged that the power Of imPeach-
ment belongs to the House of Representatives
and that, with view to the exercise Of this
power, that House has a right to investigate
the conduct of all public officers under the
Government. This is cheerfnlly admitted.
In such case, the safety of the Republic
; would be the supreme law, and the power of
G the House. in the persuit of this object, would
2 penetrate into the most secret recesses OF the
Executive Departments. 1t would command
: the attendance Of any and every agent OF the
j government. and compel them to produce all
r papers, public private, official or unofficial,
ard to testify oath to all facts within their
: knowledge. But even in case Of that kind
a they void adoptall wise precautions to prevent
> the exposure ofal such matters, the publication
{ of which might iniurionsly affect the public in
) terest, except so far as ihs ght be necessary
to accomplish the great ends of public justice.
Ii the House of Representatives., as the grand
n inquest of the nation should at any time have
= reason to believe that there has been maverSa-
l. ton in Office by an improper use or application
I,ft ~, Inv anil lilo off md
shoaId think proper to institute an inquiry in
> to the matter, all the archieves and papers Of
g the executive Departments. public or private
% would be subject to the inspection and'contro
- ola committee ofiheir body and every facility ii
" the power af the Executive be afforded, to en-
. able them to prosecute the lnestlga'inn.
= The experience of every nation on earth has
% demonstrated that emergencies may arise II
~ which it becomes absolutely necessary to the
ID public safety or the public good to make ex
r. penditnres, the very object Of which would be
h defeated by publicity. Some Governments
OF have very large amounts at their disposal, am
H. have made vastly greater expenditures thar
he the small amounts which have from time t
time been accounted for on Presidents Ger
in tificates. In no nation is the application Q
" such sums ever made public. In time Of wa
ct OF impending danger, the situation of the cour
OIL uaIs for the purpose of obtaining lnfomatio
b or rendering other important services. VIII
lot could never he prevailed upon to act If the
to entertained the least apprehension that the
OF names their agency would in any contif
an gency be divulged. So it may often becom
la necessary to incur an expenditure for an OF
Il iect highly useful to the country; for exan
be- pie. the conclusion of treaty with BARBARA
on Power, hose customs require on such occf
Oh sion the use Of presents; bat this object migt
IN be altogether defeated by the intrgues Of OIL
nc er Powers.if our purposes were to be. mad
sc known by the exhibitionof the original papel
!'u and vouchers TO the accounting officers of ii
49, Treasury. K would be easy to specify otht
- cases which may occnr in the history OF
~ great nation in its intercourse with other n;
1n lions, wherein it might become absolutely NJ
~" cessarv to incur expenditures for objects whic
If could never be accomplished if it were su'
on pec;ed. in advance, that the items of expend
CHI lure and the agencies employed would
TO- made public. .. .~-.. Is-..
en- Actnated undoubtedly by considerations
or this kind Congress provided such fund, CO.
,ed val with the organization of the Government
and subsequently enacted the law of 1910 {
ten the permanent law of the land. While tn
nd law exists in full force, ieel bound, by hig
es- sense of public policy and duty. to observe il
he provisions and the uniform practice of IN
the predecessors underit With great respect fl
um the House Of Representatives, and an anxIou
the desire to conform to their wishes, am, COZ
art strained to come to this conclusion.
me If Congress disapprove the policy Of tn
OF law they may repeal its provisions.
ca In reply to that portion of the resolution
Isl. the House which calls for ''copies of whate'
=. err communications were made from the See
az rotary of State during the last session of tn
,''s 27th Congress, particularly February. i84s
= 10 Mr.. Cushing and Mr.. Adams, members G
80 the committee of this House on Foreign Al
G.s fairs, of the wish of the President OF The Uni
IN ted States TO institute a special mission