Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1821-03-13


wherein a naval officer who distinguish
ed himself during the late war, has con-
Quoted himself improperly. The off,
GERS of the army stationed in this state
have furnished, generally speaking, no
ground of compliant. And the custom
house officers, on the Lakes, SO far as
can learn have behaved in an unaccep-
tionable manner. In exercising the
rights of suffrage they have, | believe,
generally abstained from bringing any
official influence in any shape to bear
upon the controversy.
The navy yard is situate in Brooklyn,
Kings county, and contains about 10
acres Large sums of money have been
expended there in building and repair
ing ships of war, and an extensive esta-
blshment is maintained in that place.
The documents herewith transmitted
will show that under the principal direc-
ton Of Mr.. Decatur, tie naval store
keeper, the blacksmiths, caulkers, car
peners, laborers, and other persons IN
the public employ at the navy yard, were
brought up to vote--lllat hf was assisted
in his operations, by 9th r officers Of
that establishment--and that improper
attempts were made in variety Of
shapes TO operate on the electors. The
whole presents scene of undue in1u-
ence and cxtraDeous intru,ion revolving
to every friend Of republican govern
ment. The papers mark I'D from A to
l. inclusive, establish the charge beyond
the possibility ofrofuiation and the cel-
tiicate marked NJ from the first Judge
OF the county OF Kings, places the credl-
bility Of the Witnesses beyond doubt.
The patronage OF the custom-house in
New-York is immense. There are no
printed documents which disclose the
number and compensation OF ,he officers
employed in that establishment, as the
resolution OF congress of 9th April,
1916, directing compilation and print
ing OF a register once IN every TWO years,
of the officers OF the United States has
not been complied with, in respect to
the subordinate officers OF the customs
of New Y ork, Can therefore only state
age of that establishment approximate
TO 100000 dollars annually. The sur
veyor of the port, Mr.. Joseph G.. Swift,
has the immediate direction Of the in
spectors and other subordinate officers
of the customs; and although he has
not the power of displacement, yet they
are in such a state of dependence, that
their personal comfort must directly and
their official existence indirectly, depend
on his volition. In order that there
might be no doubt Of his determination
10 interfere in the state election, he re-
ported, as a member of q committee 10 a
public meeting in Kings county, the fe-
solution marked N. When the sItua-
ton, connexion, and political principles
of this officer of the Ubited States are
considered, there can be no doubt, but
that he had previously ascertained the
sense of his political superior, and that
he was instructed to act accordingly.
In pursuance eff this example the two
inspectors ofthe customs at Staten Island,
inleriered in the most improper manner
in the election-the papers marked .
Up Q r S L will estal Iish this charge,
and the certificate marked I given by
the first Judge ofRichmoad county, goes
to prove the unquestionable good charac-
ter of the witnesses. The papers mark
ed V and w viii also shew the conduct
of some of the inspectors in the city oil
| New York. In such an immense po-
pulation it is difficult to trace the course
Of individuals particularly, but it is be-
'.vcd that the few friendly officers OF
! the customs were inundated into entire
neutra lity, and that the mass OF the H.
iluence of that institution was made to
exhibit hostile attitude to the state adj
ministration. The law regulating the
compensation Of the inspectors OF the
customs authorizes the allowance OF
three dollars day, for the days that are
actually employed. These documents
prove that seven of those officers were
employed in electioneering and l pre-
sumo it will not be denied that each in
dividual received three dollars a day
from the public treasury when so en-
gagged.
The resolution marked w V of the
citizens of Buffalo, complains of the UNI
due interference of the officers of the
general government in that QUARTET
The chairman of that meeting, Mr..
John E. Marshall, informs me, That
this resolution was intended to be cen
, sure upon the general political conduct
of those persons residing in Niagara
county, who are attached to the COM
, mission for establishing the boundary
line between the United States and Cana