Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1839-03-23
A THRILLING INCIDENT.

When Mr. Cambreleng moved, in Saturday
nights sitting, that the House go into Committee
on the Whole the state Of the Union, TO take
up certain appropriation bills
MIR. Chambers asked to withdraw ,hc motion
to enable him Mr.. c. to make a statement; a ma
Mr.. Cambreeng having Withdrawn his lotion
Mr.. Chambers said the statement he wished TO
make related to matter affecting himself, Ia
some degree, and would therefore barely submit
it to the House to do in the matter what might
seem right and proper. He said he had for some
weeks past, and during the last session been
wavlaid about the rotunda and on the stairs and
passages of the Capitol by lean, hungry starved
looking man, who met him at every turn, and
the vision OF whose CHASTITY face haunted him
even in his hours of rest. This man had been
one of the real labor;ng men-a sub contractor
who had Mcadamized the beautiful! avenue I'M
mediatey in front of the Capitol during period
| of deep calamity and distress in the city, when
the cholera prevailed. The superintendent of
the work having reserved the right to abrogate
I the contract for any delay or suspension of the
work, refused TO permit the contractor to suspend
it, bat sent physicians amongst the aborers to ad-
wise them not to work early IN the morning or
late in the evening, and n OF 10 work hard at any
time. Disease, death, and alarm dispersed the
greater part OF the operative force the contractor
was ruined, and the subcontractor was involved
in all the worst consequences OF the failure, and
in debt for great part of the labor
He had repeatedly been imprisoned for debt
. and separated from interesting family for wan
of bread to feed them; disease had follwed, arc
the man was now, and had been, for many months
, here soliciting justice at the hands OF the gov
eminent, IN a state of actual suffering Tor thu
comforts of life, while this Government owe(
him upwards of FIVE thousand dollars, which TO
years he has been begging for-yes, begging TO
iustice-for he is broken IN spirit, and snfferln!
: has almost made him mad The Senate MIR.
said) had at las, past bill for his relief and shl
, while the House in session, the commute
over which he had the honor to preside (and
. was high honor to preside over that committee
: Cor they earned their daily bread) had examine
;, tho bill, ano ordered him to ask leave 10 report
without amendment, ard ask departure from a
;, the rulcs which might obstruct its commltmer
to Committee Of the Whole and he would eve
: ask that i, should GO to the Committee of tn
. Whole on tbs state of the Union.
: Mr.. c. begged leave to add that he had som
doubt whether this man had not TO-DAY commI
ted breach of the privileges of the House, f
e when the Committee of Claims emerged iro
ii their room. the poor fellow, usual IN wal
ing at the door in fear and trembling. and b
, ing told the Committee had decided to recor
IS mend to the House to pass his bill, and that c
J. erv effort would be made TO get ii through, b
r saliow face turned pale as death, and the fou
tains OF his eyes overlooked, and the members
e the Committee, without exception, though n
ID greatly given to 'the melting mood, joined in Il
\, poor fellows undigni6ed expression of feeling.
y He, unfortunate man, again in prospect
ID suffering wife ana little ones assembled arou
Of him, and himself free from the danger OF a retu
d to hrs prison-it depende upon the House whe,
n er it should be not.
D The good feeling of the House was mantle
n ed by "A general cry of leave, leave The
was afterwards specially taken up in Committ'
reported to the House. and passed after o'clo
i in the mo, nlng.-Nas. inselligencer.
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