Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-08-01
FOR THE SPECTATOR.

FOR THE SPECTATOR.
II very warm weather we practical
farmers, who from necessity and choice
have to follow the plough, rest a few
hours in the middle of the day. In one
of these intervals of rest, Old Rustic
throws few hints to the numerous can
didates for suffrage, in phrase peculiar
TO his station and feelings.
Some addresses have appeared in your
paper--none On the subject of lowering
our public expenses--the more extraor-
binary, as these addresses were from gen.
tlemen who wish to serve US in the state
legislature, when every mouth,utters as
constituent and contempt upon that part
of the public transactions of our last ge-
neral assembly, for net only allowing
themselves four dollars a day, but SPEND
ing far more time in session than neces
sary. We are an infant state government,
only just surviving from "battle and ia
mine" by the diabolicai Vaccinations of
John Bull, by the help of his red allies
in debt for heavy balance Of our land;
and little or no price for our surplus pro-
duce. 1t is true we have considerable
share of emigrants from various parts of
the globe, as we'll as goodly share of
the most prudent of our fellow citizens
of the union. But generally they are
scarcely able to pay for home in mo-
ney, which keeps us farmers scarce of
cash, and make the presenttax burthen-
some, and to several ofus heavy indeed.
However, if we were more numerous,
and consequently better able to support
the public expenses, would it be prudent.
or patriotic, taking all things in view, the
nature Of our government, and all, to al
low ourrepresentative or other servants
more than bare compensation think
not. My opinion is, that any more than
a reasonable compensation to such, for
their services, is dangerous, and step
towards the support of contagion al
ready to prevalent amongst US, as it
would instigate luxuriant living, which
in the end has been the ruling cause Of
the greatest republics on earth to fall
yes fall, and never rise again.
Since the first settlement of our COM
mon country from Europe, are we, or
are not, as much indebted to the soldier
as the statesman +? Is not the service of a
captain in the public service as ardent as
that of member of cur Legislature in
session. 1t is true that the assemblyman
serves but few months in year, or.
perhaps during the term he is elected
for; but how many militia captains have
left the bosoms Of their families to serve
but few months, and that often to en-
counter hardships as well as danger.
All agree thatthe compensation allowed
captain is quite sufficient. Take all
his emoluments, it does little if any ex-
coed two dollars day. In the name OF
common sense, would not that sum be
sufficient and adequate for member
of the legislature-so as it pays for the
support Of patriotic man, all is well
he comes home we'll compensated. If
he spend his time we'll, he has lesson
from heaven, being Of council of free
men.
Example has wonderful effects on the
human mind, and on human habits. Is
it not much better to stipulate those that
we honor with our confidence, that is,
tb regulate both public and private
vrongs-laws that may affect our lives
and property, to live in a sober economi-
cal manner, than live in sphere OF ex-
travagance, as generally all men live up
to their incomes. heard a great states
man say, that he served as member OF
the legislature in North Carolina, at a
sum in paper per day, not worth more
than one dollar; served in the senate of
the United States at six; and that his
treasury ticket always met his expenses,
and his expenses always required the fuli
amount of his treasury ticket.
There are vacancies to be filed from the
county to the number Of three. There
are candidates already, (about month
before the election,) to the number OF
Gas am told) of twenty-one. 1t is hard
indeed if we cannot make good selec-
ton of one from every seven. Yes, cleo
tors, we will make good selectioni IN