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contingent fees, who would not yield? He must be a man divested of avarice, and must stand enthroned in majesty and integrity far above men that are generally known to the world, who have been placed in positions of that character where great temptations have been offered. But, sir, where will you get them? (and I am glad that my remarks cannot apply to any individual, as no one has been suggested to fill any of these stations.) If you give them this petty salary, it will be inadequate to the demands of their ex- travagance, elegance, or taste. They must sustain dignity and character-and then virtue will yield, and then honest integrity will become more convenient with the petty corruptions of the times, in which they live. They will yield by degrees, from one step to another, and you will find them finally immersed in deep corruption. Sir, I would sooner rely upon two auditorial de- partments in this Government, than any board of this description on earth. Moreover, if I have read this bill aright, it presumes so much upon the virtue of the appointees, that really it does not require the administration of an oath for the discharge of their duties with integrity and fidelity. There is no oath pre- scribed for the commissioners. They are not required to take an oath. They are not to act like Senators, for they act under an oath. But it is upon honor that this board of accounts is to act. If this bill were to become a law, I would screw them down most strictly; and I would see that they were held accountable to conscience as well as to the laws of the country, and you will find both necessary. Why has not England found out this expedient? They have an excellent set of auditorial officers there, I am told; the treasury is well guarded without any board of accounts. We are for imitating England in most matters-cheap postage, and others of that character. They generally lead the way in such matters. I would be for waiting for England to lead the way in matters of this sort, before I introduced innovations upon the institutions of our own country. Before I do that, I would regard the experience of the past. Our bu_siness is to adjust accounts against the Government, where equity applies, and the law does not cover the case; and where it is a subject of justice without law, Con- gress has competency, in connection with the coordinate depart- ments of the Government, to award to every man his just due. Under these circumstances I never can, and never will, vote for an auditorial board, unless I wish to see privileges and powers accorded to a few selected men, infirm in their nature as all
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