Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-09-15

just, then figure up the result, and see what
the cost would have been to the country.
But that is not all.
"There is another view Of the subject
alarming to some of US, though not perhaps
to both sides of the Chamber in IN equal
degree mean the vast amount of patron
are it would have thrown into the hands Of
tile Government, and which the system Of
internal Improvements now proposed will
necessarily confer. am aversc to an in.
crease of the patronage of the Federal Go
vernment. think its patronage has been
curse to the country heretofore. am un.
willing to give il, by my vote, any increase
And yet, sir, if the Government is to re-.
embark in this exploded scheme Of gener-
nj system Of internal improvements, whereof
the present bill, with its amendments, is but
premonitory symptom. what an army of
contractors and agents will be subjected to
its influence! What a horde Of officers,
surveyors, and engineers will be dancing
attendance upon the Executive Depart
ements. To complete the grateful picture,
behold the sovereign States engaged in a
dignifed scramble for the spoils of the
Treasury, each claiming priority, and the
stronger sections obtaining it by successful
combinations. Or, if it be left to the Exec
utivo Department to select the public works
to be undertaken, we may behold these
same sovereigns bowling at the foot-stool of
Executive power, and loyalty to the Ad-
miuistration made the plice Of favors con.
irrred. We had almost come to that yes
| tertlay. 1t was proposed by the distinguish.
cd Senator from Michigan to refer the whole
subject of surveys, including the places to
be improved, to an officer Of the Govern
menr. 1t was proposed to make general
appropriation for that object, and leave it,
not to Congress to say where the surveys
should be effected, but to the Executive
Department Of the Government, upon which
the power would thus be conferred, to say
which State should he favored, and which
should not. | trust that day will never
come. | trust that we shall restrict the pa
tronage of the Federal Government within
the narrowest limits that we shah not ado
to the thousands Of postmasters, custom
house officers, land receivers, Indian agents
&c, &C., the vast swarm which a grea
system OF internal improvements will nee
essarly generate. Such an accumulation
Of patronage may, | apprehend, be attended
with disastrous results, and prove loo strong
for our institutions.
al had occasion, some time ago. to look
into book, published by order of Congress
entitled 1.-The Opinions OF the Attorney
Generals of the United States" found II
to be very interesting volume. 1t shows
this that there is not an officer, from the
humblest tide.water up to the highest pleni
potcntiary, but has to apply to some OF the
Departments for favors or extra allowance;
in the course of his term of office. If {
minister abroad wants an office to keep the
archives of the legation if he wants an ex
ira clerk; if he wants compensation fo1
unexpected charges he has had to cncoun
ter, he has to come to the Department The
cases arising before the Departments as tt
the construction of contracts, or the cxten
sion of time, or additional allowances to b'
made by the Government, are infinite. TIN
reason why had my attention special.
called to the subject was this: A friend o
mine, before the annexation Of Texas, ha'
charge Of an Indian agency; and the Gov