Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1837-1839, 1838-06-09

Of the government by means Of the cheap, safe,
and rapid system Of exchange, which prev lied
before the banks were 'debauched' BY Mr. Ken
dali, the public money is to be wagoned
over the country AT great expense and hazard
and always with delay.
The late eminent and virtuous Attorney Cener-
al, William Writ, did not escape the ceusure Of
these indefaiigable relormers. He had rendered
some professional! service, in which the United
States were interested, but which were not such
as his official station charged upon him. For
this service an inconsderabie sum was paid him,
bat its proprety was questioned. The salary of
the Acknowledgement was then $4,000, and he
was allowed $500 for clerk. How stands the
case now? The salary Of Ben amin F. Butler
the present Attorney General. is ALSO 10 for
compensation, besides being allowed $1,000 for
clerk a messenger, and five hundred for the con-
tingent expenses of his Office. The same add
tionai allowance and charge, amounting together
to : ! 500 is made in 1885. independent OF the
increased salary and the enlarged prov is'ors Tor
messenger, whence comes Mr.. Buffers right TO
charge an excess Of $500 for contingent exPen-
ses, but provision Of 81 ,407 is made Tor MS
clerk and messenger, and for Mr.. Buffers COM
pensation that year he received S4.3 when
his salary was only $1,000. Why was this cN-
excess Of 1892 paid to him! lie appears 10
have been used as a sort of Cd:et Qactem. lie
has been allowed to enjoy the salary OF his own
Office and that Of the Secretary of War ut one
and the same time, being at the rate OF SlO,oOO
rcr year. pursuing too his profession, and receiv-
ng his emoumen:s. No wonder We sec IN HIM
the complying law officer Of the crown When
did he give opinion contrary to the wish
Of the President, if he knew what that was?-
Let me give an illustration. As the story Is tod,
when tie Baltimore Railroad about to be To-
ca ted at its termination in the city, the company
consulted Mr.. Butler On some points 10 the
night of way, under their charter. After fall de-
liberation, his professional opinion was obtained
in writing. 1t happened that General Jackson
fslt some concern about the location Of this right
81! wav, and he expressed an opinion on the same
point, requiring a termination of the road, winch
he company did not wish, and which Mr. But
Ter had advised them they need not adopt. Gen.
Jackson was furnished with the "c...ion Of At
torney General: hn., instead Of yielding. en-
dc7sed on it, mir. Bu,!er has not examined this
case with his usual carr let this paper be referred
back to him, with copy of the charter, tor his
re-examinaton.' Ia due time. sir, the Attorney
General agrees with the President. and gives an
o,;nion in conformity with that which General
Jackson had expressed! After this. MIR. Speak
or. we need not be surprised at the absurd opin-
ion of Mr. ButIer, given as Il foundation or Jusfi-
fca,ion for General jackson to pocket the bill
revealing the specie circular, and which has pas
sed both Houses of Congress almost by acclama-
,ion. Nor indeed, should we be asstonished at
any opinion of his, unless he should have hap
pencd to give one different from what he suPpos-
ed the President wanted.