Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-07-13

were 'debauchcd by Mr. Kendall, the pub |
lie money is now to be wagoned over the
country at great expense aud hazard. aud
always with delay,
The late eminent and virtuous Attor-
ney General, William Writ, did not es-
cape the censure of these indefatigable
reformers. He had rendered some pro-
fessional services, in which the United
States were interested, but which were
not such as his official station charged
upon him. For this service an incon-
siderable sum was paid to him, but its
propriety was questioned. The salary
ofthe Attorney General was then S3, 500
and he was allowed 500 dollars for
clerk. How stands the case now o.? The
salary of Mr. Ben amin +. Butler, the
present Attorney General, is $4,000 and
in 1891 he was paid ST., 80 10 for COM
pensation, besides being allowed s 300
for a clerk and messenger, and $500
for the contingent expenses of his office.
The same additional allowance and
charge, amounting together to $ 800 is
made in 1885. Independent of the in
creased salary and the enlarged provis-
ion for q messenger, whence comes AR.
Buffers right to charge an excess of
$3.50 10 for compensation, besides $500
for contingent expenses ? In the year
1886 we heard of nothing of contingent
expenses, but provision of 81 ,407 10
made for his clerk and messenger, and
for Mr.. Buffers compensation that year
he received s 1882, when his salary was
$4,000. Why was this excess of 1892
paid to him! He appears to have been
used as a sort OF Caleb QuOtcm. He has
been allowed to enjoy the salary of his
own office and that of the Secretary of
War at one and the same time, being at
the rate of $4,000 per year, pursuing
too his profession, and receiving its
emolumcnts. No wonder we see in him
the complying law officer of the crown
When did he ever give an opinion con-
trary to the wish of the President, if he
knew what that was? Let me give an
illustration. As the story is told, when
the Baltimore railroad was about to be
located at its termination in this city the
company consulted Wr Butler on some
point as to this right of way, under their
charter. After full deliberation, his pro-
fessonal opinion was obtained in writ
ing. 1t happened that General jackson
felt some concern about the location of
this right of way, and he expressed an
opinion on the same point, requiring
a termination of the road, which the
company did not wish, and which Mr..
Butler had advised them they need not
adopt. Gen. Jackson was furnished
with the opinion Of the Attorney General
but, instead of yielding. he endorsed on
it, 'Wr Butler has not examined this
case with his usual care; let this paper
be referred back to him, with a copy of
the charter, for his re-examinaton.' =
In time, sir, the Attorney General
agrees with the President, and gives an
opinion in conformity with that which
General Jackson had expressed! After
this, Mr.. Speaker, we need not be sur
prised at the absurd opinion Of lNr. But
Ter, given as foundation or justification
ofGen. jackson to pocket the bill re-
pealing the Treasury circular, and which
had passed both Houses Of Congress al.
most by acclamation. Nor, indeed
should we be aslonished at any opinion
of his. unless he should have happened
to give one different from what he sup
posed the President wanted.
GCJnciudei nert tceek