Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-12-13
SENATOR BENTON OF MISSOURI.

! SENATOR BENTON OF MISSOURI.
A most violent and unjusii6abIo attack was.
made some two or three months since, against
Hon. Eduord Bates, the Representative in
Congress from the state Of Missouri by Mr..
Senator Benton of the same state. MI.
Bates. IN consequences Of the circulation ofihsss
charges made by the Honorable senston lost
his election. Mr.. BATES u a man Of sterling
talents and too honest to assist Mr.. Benton,
in his land graduating scheme and for this
place which he honourably filed and to the
credit of the state Of missouri. We have be-
fore us Mr.. Bates reply, and it is an able de-
fence. severe and cutting. and cannot but
renowned Senator with almost every crime of
which it is possible for man 10 be guilty, and
concludes with the following:
I. During the late war he was a recruiting,
Lieut.. Colonel of the army. | say recruiting
because | have heard that he rendered some
service in that line, but he never rnet the enc
mics Of his country; all his fighting has been
confined TO cnil broils with his fel low-citizens.
In that capacity, he WINS entrusted with public
funds, and became "A public deiaul,er. AS
soon as a federal district co,it was establish
ed m Missouri, he was ordered 10 be sued.
| .dpomeat was rendered against him in 1922,
and the money would have been collected Jog
ago, on execution, but he procured a suspen-
SION of The writ, on the promise to pay the a
mount due, at Washington city, which he has
( not done, but stands to Tins day a pnblic de.
| faulier, proclaimed on the list annually pub
!ished by the government, for money received
by him officially more than thirteen ysars
ago. i
2. At the time of the IA allure of the bank Of
Missouri, Col Benton was one Of it's directors,
| and notwithstand ny the charter expressly pro-
vides that no director shall be entitled 10 a
loan Of more than 3000 dollars at any one time
he and his eight co-directors divided among
themselves, of the money, deposited for safe
keeping, by the United States and private per-
sons, about 5000. 600! I cannot say precisely
The amount of the spoil which fell To The share
ofthe Senatorial director, but it was somewhere
between 10 and $4,000 - that 4 compromise
was effected, and in order to cover that claim
the bank transferred debts to the amount Of
about $ 80 900, including Col. Benton's debt,
at least that part of IT secured by a human en-
dorser. cannot say with precision the A.
mount Of that part of the Colonel's bank debt,
created by the juggling process of subtr citing
the stock of the bank, and pledglng a naked
subscription by way of security, but the en-
dorsed notes are known precisely. The agent
Of the United States brought suit upon them
several years ago, and recovered Judgement
against the Colonel for S7076 rs; no part Of
which has been paid, nor is likely to be for as
long ago as two or three years, Col. Benton,
having nothing here 20 satisfy the demand, but
being a privileged person, had the address to
procure from the department an order TO stay
the execution. And SO the matter sleeps.
3. The act Of Congress which fixes the COM
pensation of Senator, allows 50 a day during
the session, and So for every twenty miles Of
travelling, by the most usual road, from the
members place of residence to the seat Of
Government. For the session Of Congress,
beginning on the 9Th of December, 1924, and
| ending on the Sd Of March, 1925, and the ex-
ira session Of the Senate, beginning on the 4th
and ending on the 9th of March,, 1875, Mr..
senator Benton received from the treasury the
sum Of S3,302 40. Now, from the 9th of De-
cember, 10 the 9th Of March,. inclusive, there
are but ninety four DAYS, which, at SO q day,
will amount TO 752 dollars. The rest Of the
| CoIonel's pay must have been for his mile age
which, being apportioned at the rate of 8 dol
dollars for every twenty miles Tor forty cents
a miIe) will demonstrate that in going from
st. Louis to, Washington city, and back again,
Senator Benton travelled the incredible DIS
lance of sir thousand three hundred and sep
enty sir miles!! or that he has grossly de-
fra uded tho treasury. otr.s. Il
A. Col. Benton was employed on behalf Of
Mrs. Mann, Of Pike county, Mo. TO collect a
sum Of money for her, from the War Depart
ment. While attending at Washington as a
Senator, he applied at The proper office, and
received the money, but on his return to Mis-
souri,, neglected to pay it over. Mr.. Mann,
the husband Of the creditor, demanded the
money, but the Colonel having spent it, could
not or would not replace it. except n very
small part; and Mr.. M. being in necessity for
the cash. aud angered at such treatment,
brought suit, to recover the amount, but after
wards, impelled by his urgent need. and fear
ing a total !esy, in case the Senator should be
pressed by his other creditors, he was forced
to compromise on the Senator's own terms,
and accept an order for merchandise on n
store at st. Louis, besides deducting fifteen
per cent. on the gross amount collected, for
the Senator's trouble in receiving it.
| The doousatiop &c Wionoha0ops had THAR