Indiana Palladium, Volume 6, Number 11, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, 20 March 1830 — Page 1

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DEVOTED TO A'EH'S, POLITICS, INDUSTRY, MORALITY, LITERATURE, JXD .1MUSEMEXT. Volume VI. LAWRENCEBURGII, (INDIANA,) SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 1330. Number 11.

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The following speech, delivered on the floor of Congress, by the Ho u Two's

Chilton, ofKeutucky, on the subject of a proposition to retrench the exenss of Congress, by a computation of mileage, and a deduction of two d liar, from the per diem allowance to rn fibers, &c. cannot but be read with inteiesl, by every man, endowed with the feeling.- of republican simplicity. Wf are confident ' that all will see ard feel the force of the remarks, and acknowledge their application and correctness. It is quite time that the people, in whom toe c-rrective is vested,toaroJ6e from thf ir stupid lethargy, and make the decision it 19 now in their power, to elfect the object unanimity, and exprxey.on of their will, is alone necessary. Let it be carried to the poll, and success is inevitable. Wake the proposition a test in future elections, and thereby trammel ycur representatives, and we vemure to predict, that three annual revolutions, will re turn the object accomplished. From Mr. Chilton's calculations,whi' h are essentially correct, a saving of 77, 760 dollars would result in the payment of members in the lower House alone, apart from four dollars per day deduct ed from the wages of the speaker, which added to the deduction from the pay of Senators, would amount to the round cum of 97,920 dollars per annum. This cum, would go far towards constructing the National Road, an important public work, to its termination or in a few years, if thus applied, added to the amount annually appropriated, extinguish the National Debt, which hangs as an incubus upon the neck of the Nation, Let the general system of retrenchment prevail, and all will be well. Nor would we have Congress stop . here. Our Ministers, &c. to Foreign courts, have invariably received a salary of $9,000, and an outfit of equal amount, making the enormous salary of 18,000 dollars per year. We do honestly believe this to be an exorbitant allowance. Many other salaries of our public functionaries, might be clipped, with equal propriety. Jf Members of Congress do not possess the independence to step forward and protect the interests of their constituents, the people should . manifest their independence, and exer cise their privileges, in these matters. Western Telegraph, MR. CHILTON'S REMARKS, On the Bill to establish 8 uniform rule for (be coouputatioa of the mileage, of members of Congress, and for other purposes The Bill limited the allowance to the distance on the nearest mail route, and required a deduction for each day the member might be absent from the business of the House, except in case of sickness. Mr. C. offered the following amendmen : . Sec. 3. "Jlnd be it further cnaeted, That "the fcum of six Uolurs per day, and six dol"Jars for each twenty miles travelled, aod com"puted accordiug to the foregoing provisions, "be allowed to each member of Congress, in "lieu of the present allowance, and tbat all "laws making a greater, or different allowMaoce, be ar.J the same are hereby repealed." Mr. Chilton said that he arose reluctantly, as he had strong forebodings of defeat. Cut defeat, with all its attendant mortifications, would atford him at least a calm of conscience, to which the truant in politics was, and ever would be, a total 6tranger. On yesterday he had moved to recommit the bill under consideration to the Committee of the Whole House, with a view to have it amended as now proposed; but upon hearing the suggestion, that its recommitment would be hostile to its final passage, he had withdrawn the proposition, and now present ed the motion to amend. He was conscious of the unenviable, and indeed the lonely attitude in which he was placed when he invoked upon himself the epithet of "Radical" and when duty demanded an effort to correct abuses . which had too long been permitted to exist. But though he might be tossed to and fro,!ikefthe windbeatcn reed, before the tempest of prejudice which often beats upon the friend of unexpected and searching reform, he was willing to risk his fate, amidst its fury. He believed he understood his pledges to his constitu ents, and the calculation they had made 0 upon his fidelity. His capacity they pro bably had overrated; but in relation to his zeal and constancy in urging their wishes, and defending their interests, they should never be mistaken. Tbat the adoption of some regular and uniform rule of computing the mil

eage of members of Congress was necessary, he presumed would not be disputed by any memberof the House; and with the proposition, so far as it went, upon the mere principle of shortening the distance allowed, he was well pleased. It did notj however, go far enough fo him, nor guard with sufficient caution even the territory which it purported to occupy. He intended to speak plainly, and ikcall things by their proper names regardless of consequences, either to himself or others; inasmuch as he had witnessed, as he thought, a disposition on the part of some gentlemen to relax their efforts to advance the great system of"Retrnchment and Reform," about which the country had been almost into paroxysms of expectation; and upon which not a few had obtained office. Thai in the recent struggle for the

Presidential Chair, the indignation of the American people had been aroused by the cry of "extravagance ruinous extravagai-ce," and that the echo was heard from Maine to the Gulf ol Mexico, was a fact which, though perhaps easily forgotten by gentlemen here would be long remembered by those who had sent them here. Sir, said Mr. Chilton, gentlemen are deceiving themselves. They cannot deceive the People. The time of reckoning is not sodistant,as to obliterate the account from the public memory; upon the tablets of which, impressions when once made become indelible. To reply to all that has been said, would be alike unless and impossible. "Retrenchment" is the watchword; but I fear that many sentinels are sleeping on their posts, and merely humming, amid their slumbers of security, the Cuckoo note the syren song. One of my colleagues, (Mr. Letcher, ha3 entertained us for half an hour with a mere repartee of facetiousness and rather "illnatured wit." He, nevertheless seemed to he on terms of equal amity with himself and others. If, however in the course of his remarks, he more than approached the subject under discussion, 1 was unable to discern it. My other colleague, (Mr. Wicklifle,) has laboured to convince us, that hy the passage of the original bill, a great saving will result to the American People. He, however, opposes my proposition to retrench, whirh is evidentlymore important in amount. He limits his estimates to $25,000 per year. I acknowledge the saving to be one, Sir, of some importance; but how it is to be considered more important than (hat which I propose, is to me somewhat remarkable. To arrive at a correct conclusion, correct rules must be resorted to. None can be more so, than to exhibit the practical effect of the one, and the other pro position; which is most speedily done by a resort to figures. Suppose the saving contemplated by the bill to amount to 25,000, as stated by the gentleman. Suppose, then, Congress to be composed of "two hundred and thirteen members," and three delegates, which is the fact, confining the remark to the House of Representatives alone; the de duciion of two dollars from the per diem allowance would amount to $'432 per day, not estimating the reduction of the pay of the Speaker, the Clerks, and other officers of the House, nor including a corresponding reduction of the pay of members of the other branch. Say, sir, that, according to custom, our first session is protracted to six months, or one hundred and eighty days. Let this number be multiplied by four hundred and thirty-two, the daily saving to the Government will be, for a single session, $77,7G0. Will gentlemen contend that this is a small matter? that this sum is unworthy of being husbanded? If so, I think they will be found fighting against that system of Republican economy, without which no government can long exist. 1 know, Sir, that in approaching this subject, my situation is almost as delicate as was that of Moses, when a mmanded "to put his shoes from off his feet as he stood on holy ground." Yes, Sir, when a proposition is made to retrench ourselves, he who dares become its advocate, exposes himself to the bitterness of acrimony, and the most unrelenting reproach and censure. The policy is branded with insincerity and littleness. Thank Heaven, that one redeeming power remains; and that that power is in the People, They will 6oon awake to a sense of their interests, and their danger, at which lime, I venture the prediction, that their voices will be heard in sounds, which will not die away

in gentle accents upon the ears of some gentlemen. My amendment presents two questions only; neither of which can possibly be misunderstood, by any man of common sagacity. The first, said Mr. Chilton, will be found to be, (7 "$ not the sum of 6 per day, a sufficient compensation for our service here; and is not that sum suffi cient to compensate us,for each twenty miles travelled, in reaching and returning from the seat of government .?" Answers to these questions,Sir, will be as varient as the conditions ol men, and state of feeling from whence they spring. Ask the miser and he will emphatically, answcr,Nt: for like the thirsty ground, he never cries it is enough. A&k the thoughtless spendthrift, aod with trembling eagerness he cries, No: for the coffers of the nation would scarcely meet his demands. Ask the haughty nabob, who has been accustomed to riot and wallow in luxury, and No is his answer; for like Oa3-ar, he supposes the world was made tor him. Bat ask the man acquainted with domestic and republican economy ;the man of moderate desire; the man who makes patriotism and not money the mainspring of his action, and, with due deference 10 what may be the decision of the H use,

permit me to say, his arwer is emphatically "Yes," It is enough it is indeed redundant. I have not, Sir, forgotten nor can I overlook, the unkind allusion made yesterday by the gentlemen from Rhode Island (Mr. Burgess.) H remarked that "gi'ntlrmaij wlu valued themselves at only 6 per day, ought certainly to receive no more, making it a matter of conscience." Sc far as relates to myself, I am in great doubt whether that gentleman and myself, upon liquidating the account of coutcieuoe, as to services rendered here, would not each be placed upen a still shorter allowance; though I admit he possesses the happy art of (i ing upon himself his full value. If, Sir, he lias adjusted his conscientious debts upon a itckoning with Him who errs not, he is more fortunate than myself. If he will not consider it unkind, however, I would remind him that his allusion to myself was not onlyunmerited, but uncalled for. He should remember that while age slumbers securely beneath its silvery o A:-, youth has a right to demand, at least, its riper civilities. Sir, I will now attempt briefly to shew, why I think my proposition just; and why I think it should be adopted, As an objection to reducing the compensation to members, it is uiged, and 1 may say boastingly urged, that professional men already sacrifice much. What Sir, should induce a professional man to seek a station here? Is theie a gentleman on this floor who would submit to the degradation of having it sup posed that his motives are so sordid, as to make the paltry sum received his primary object in serving his Country ? For the honor of the House, I respond in the negative. There are feelings there are inducements, which would be shamefully calumniated by such a reflection. If then, Mr. Speaker (continued Mr. Chilton) money be not the object; if our exertions are called forth by a desire to advance the happiness of our country; how much money, or what compensation is necessay ? I answer, suma sufficient in perfect decency to support the member while in the public service; and to keep his domestic aiT.iirs in healthful and vigorous operation during his absence from home. We will now, Sir, enter into a calculation to shew that G per day is ample for those purposes. Our pay at this ralio, will amount to forty-two dollars per week. Boardiog for the same period, varies at from eight to twelve dollars. Say that ten is an average charge; deduct this from the amount of the wages of the member, and you leave remaining the sum of thirtytwo dollars at the close of the week. Allow ten dollars per week, for contingent expenses, and there still remains the sum of Twenty-two dollars. In the allowance for contingencies, 1 may have fallen below the requisitions of some gentlemen, for want of knowledge as to the character and cost of these contingenccs; but sure I am that no man has a right to riot at the public expense, and that the sum allowed is sufficient for a prudent man. This remaining sum of twenty-two dollars per week, will enable the member, (at least in the Western country,) to procure ff tun able bodied men, to labor upon his farm for the same period; engaging in cyen the drudgery of his agri

cultural operations. And yet, forsooth, we are to be told that such a compensation would drive gentlemen from this Hall. Sir, such boasting may deceive the unwary, but it never can deceive me. He who is honored with a seat in this splendid Hall who is furnished by his constituents with the means of procuring all the comforts, (and, to suit the common fancy of the House, 1 will add, all the contingencies) of Washington who is enabled to supply his place at home with fifteen sturdy laborers may in vain tell the American People, that he submits to losses and sacrifices. No, Sir, his absence is an act of mercy to his family. The soldier, torn from his wife his children his friends his home;

who instead of having his tars saluted by the sweet tones of prattling infancy, or his aching head pressed by the soft hand of connubial tenderness; uho listens to the rude tones of the thundering cannon, and rests his weary head upon the cold ground for a pillow; leaving a dark cloud of poverty and gloom hovering over the domestic fireside, and shading the scanty pittance allowed to the objects of his love Ho, yes Sir, he is supposed to earn only EIGHT dollars per month, the precise sum which gentlemen cling to with hectic pertinacity as being only the value of their services in this house per day ! ! ! This argument cannot do. The American people, I repeat, Sir, will awake and correct the evil. Eight dollars is allowed for a travel of each twenty miles too; while on the Western waters, we travel in our boats perhaps 200 miles per day, amounting to the round sum of eighty dollars for twenty-four hours, while we are enjoying very comfort of life.!! sleeping at pleasure eating at pleasure and, indeed, deprived of nothing calculated to render life pleasurable. Could the tcngue of a Cicero convince the American people of the justice of this? If so, the phra?e of "Nil de&perandum," need be repeated no more. Sir, I now close I have done for my constituents all which has fallen within the scope of my limited power. 1 know that a member standing alone can do bui little; and I have almost despaired of being able to accomplish any thing. When formerly the wages allowed our members was only six dolfata per day, we not only had a Congress, but our Hall was then filled with men equally wise aod patriotic, as those who fill it now. The excess may be convenient to the member, but is certainly oppressive upon the people. My zeal, Mr. Speaker, in the cause of 'Refokm1 may prepare for me, for aught I know, my political grave; but in that event, as was said by the illustrious Emmett, I rtjoice to reflect that my epitaph may be written when other times and other men will do justice to both my motives and my memory. APPOINTMENTS XV TU? PRESIDENT By and with the advice and content cftht Senals John Caldwell, to be receiver of public moneys for the district of lands sub ject to sale at Shawncetown, in the state of Illinois, from the 19th February, 1S30. David Hodge, to be rt gister of the land office for the district of lands subject to sale at Steubenville, in the state of Ohio, from the 19th February, 1830. John B. Hazard, to be register of the land office for the district of lands subject to sale at St. Stephens, in the state of Alabama, from the 29ib March, 1830. Mahlon D. Cantield,to be collector of the customs for the district and inspector j of the revenue for the port of Great Egg Harbour, in the state of New Jersey, from the 28lh January, 1830, when the; commission of Gideon Leeds will expire. Charles R. Holmes, to be appraiser of goods, for the port of Charleston, in the state of South Carolina, vice John Gaillard, deceased. Samuel Hall, to be surveyor for the district, and inspector of the revenue for the port of Portsmouth, in the state of New Hampshire, from the 29th of Jan uary, 1830, when the commission of James Ladd will expire. Alphonso Mason, to be surveyor of the district, and inspector of the revenue for the port of Gloucester, in the state of Massachusetts, from the 29th of January, 1830, when the commission of Ebentzer Dale will expire. Benjamin Knight to be collector of the customs for the district of Marblehead, in the state of Massachusetts, frcm the 19th of February, 1830, when the commission of Benjamin Crowninshield will expire. James Duncan, to be receiver of public moneys for the district of lands subject to sale at Washington, in the state of

Mississippi, vice Alfred W. McDaniel, removed. John W. Smith, to be surveyor for the district of Portland and Falmouth, and inspector of the revenae for the port of Portland, in the state of Maine, vie James J. Boyd, deceased. Archibald W. Hy de to be collector the customs for the district of Vermon and inspector of the revenue for the po of Allburghjin the state of Vermont, vict Charles K. Williams, resigned. William Baldwin, to be surveyor f r the district and inspector of the. reven . for the port of New Haven, in (lie state of Connecticut, vice William H. Eilis, resigned. John M( Nicl, jr to be surveyor far the district of Boston and Charlestoivn, ar inspector of the revenue for the port . Boston, in the state of Massachusetts from the 29th of January, 1030, he the commission of Elbridge Gerry t? pired. Henry Whitley to be collector of t! customs for the district, and inspect of the revenue for the port of Wiliniiv -ton in the state of Delaware, vice Allet McLane, deceased. George Brent to be collector of the customs tor the district of Alexandria, in the District of Columbia, vice Humphrey Peake, resigned. James Dalryrnple to be surveyor fc; the district of Salem and Beverly, and inspector of the revenue for the port 01 Salem in the state of Massachusetts, froia the 29th of January, 1830, when the commission of John Saunders expired. Benjamin HawVcsto be surveyor and inspector of the revenue for the port of Beverly , in the state of Massachusetts from the 29 of January 1830, when tLcommission of Jonathan Smith expired John P. Norton to be collector of th?. customs for the district, and inspect' of the revenue for the port of Edg 4town, in the state of Massachusetts, from the 19th of February 1830, when the commission of Thomas Cooke will ex pire.

Robert S. Garnet to be collector of the customs for the district, and insnec tor of the revenue for the port of Rappahannock, in the state of Virginia from the 9th of January 1830, when the commission of John Dangerfield expired. Walter Bradley to be collector of the customs for the district, and inspector ot the revenue for the port of Fairfield, in the state of Connecticut, from the 23th of January 1830. William Willard to be surveyor and inspector of the revenue for the port of Saybrook,in the state of Connecticut, from the 12th of March. Samuel Brown to be naval officer for the district of Providence, in the State of Rhode Island, from the 29th January 1830. John B. Roberts to be collector of the customs for the district, and inspector of the revenue for the port of East River, in the state of Virginia from the 29th of January 1830. William Gray to be survpyor and in spector of the revenue for the port cf Port Royal, in the state of Virginia, from the 29th of January 1830. Henry Muse to be surveyor and inspector of the revenue for the port ot Urbanna, in the state of Virginia, from the 29th of January 1830. Ltvi Fagan to be collector of the customs for the district, and inspector of the revenue for the port of Plymouth, in the state of North Carolina, ficm the 19th of February, 1830. Thomas II. Blount to be collector of the customs for the disfiict, and inspector of the revenue for the port of Washington, in the state of North Carolina, from the 19th of February 1830. Samuel S. Law to be collector of the customs for the district, and inspector of the revenue for the port of Sunbury, in the state of Georgia, from the 17th of March, 1830. Ambrose Crane to be surveyor and inspector of the revenue for the port of St. Marks, in the territory of Floiida, from the 24th January, 1830. C. Levasscur to be surveyor and in spector of the port of Bay ou St. John, in the state of Louisiana, from the 21th of January, 1830. John G. Mawney to be surveyor and inspector of the revenue for the port of East Greenwich, in the slate of Rhode Island, from the 29ih of January, 1830. James Colliusworth of Tennessee, to be attorney of the United States for the western district of Tennessee, in the place of Thomas Fletcher, resigned. William A. Harrison of Virginia, to be attorney of the United Slater, for the western distiict of Virginia, in place of Edward S. Duncan, resigned.