Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-04-28
Flom tho honongalia Republican,
THE FRAMING PR1VII .E(.E

1t is probably known to of your readers that in
the last session of the 22d Congress, the privilege Of
ranking was extended to all the members during the
recess and To members elect Immediately on their cleo
ton This has been considered by rejecting men as a
corrupt measarc5 and would respectfully suggest the
ProPey OF requiring OF our candidates for Congress-
pledge, that they VIII if elected move and use their en-
beavers to procure repeal OF the law 1t bchoves the
people to be ever the alert and contend against
ruptlon and peeulaton OF their money in their earliest
stages.
superficial observer would suppose this to be n tr
fling MATTER but, when IS investigated appre il
IS something serious 1t leaves affairs that we
may have teO persons entitled the Thanking privilege
for thirteen entire months while least one of them
and good part Of it, too IS not engaged in any pubic
business. This is true Pennsylvania and all States
where the elections are held in October and in Virginia.
the period rs oaly h1e shoterthc principle
lists.
The privilege of ftankng as first taken and exercised
by members Of Congress confined to public docu-
ments letters on public business and petitions received
from the people.
Whilst it confined this, and restricted 10 co
days before and aeT the session il was hipy proper
and benefit 20 the gable but that think every candid
of correct principles will allow be sample space
and verge enough" AT any other time, a Congressman
has no pnbc business TO write about. and no public
documents 10 send and to send any thing else is as
contrary TO the letter and spirit of the law is repup.
to justice injurious to the public veal Ills ruc
Congressman apt To make OF this privilege for
electioncerng purposes by flooding the community with
reports OF party character. This doubtless abuse;
but, 80 long restraints bis conduct within the
letter Of the law, few iasdious him
for violating It's spirit fear the times Of such scrupu-
ous justice have passed forever from land.
But, when Congressman undertakes TO have his
EtectoRceTiag ddrcSs printed in Washington and sent
by thousands undeE frank into his district or ENCOURAGES
his avorcs TO bsgrO the privilege forward their pri-
vate letters OF friendship business tho abuse becomes
too manifest and the corruption toe rank not to meet
merited rcbake.
have heard it estimated by those who have the best
means of forming Judgment upon the subject, that q
sjc member Of Congress of distant district has de-
auded the Post Office Department Of at least 500
ing session Now, if other CongTessmeD should fol.
low his example, it would amount to little short of thirty
thousand dollars annually; sum too considerable be
passed by.
Bot this not all ole that is unjust in little is IN.
just also in much Let deceive ourselves; for if
We let oar pabic servants rob a little with impunty
the time is not distant when they viii have their hands
up to ther ClbOwg n our money chests.
Our candidates for Congress entering COR have en-
tered UPON thel5 campaign Of elcctionccring, and
would close for te present. by requesting Of YOU TO ask
through the medium of your excellent sheet of the pre-
sent member account Of his Stewardship in that par
ticuar, and of both candidates, pledge for the future
upon this subject know, Mr. Editor there are some
who would rather hear from them this question: than
4 FARMER.
/ Mn Btsros-Thc Hon Thomas n Benton passed
through Louisville, Kentucky, the 9Th inst During
his brief stay in that city be invited 10 patake Of
public dinner which he respectfully declined. To the
letter Of the committee appointed for the purpose Of
responding with him, the subject, lac addressed the
I following answer.
Uvios 1Iorrt Louisville,
April a 1885
GeRGemea. have just had the qualification to receive
most iaicrinr Invitation 60 accept public dinner
This place and have express my regret that it is not
i'm my power accept this mark Of respect which is
kindly offered to and which grateful TO my feel
/ ngs The honor which is intended for 1qe, is accom-
pshed by the invitation itself and the pleasure Of maxi
ing the personal Acquaintance Of many ofour friends here
will not be entirely lost shall chcerully avail my
self Of my brief stay in this city 70 see and become ac