The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-03-19

whether they have the means OF paying him, &
begs The Secretary, not 10 make himself unen
sy on the subject, as he is entirely willing 4
wait until the Treasury is nbo to meet the de
mand!
TAXATION OF OFFICE HoLDERs.-The test
mony Of some of the witnesses before the invcs
tigang committee of the House Of Representa-
ives, at New York; shows that that the patron
age of the General Government has been lon
systematically, and to an alarming extern
brought sin conflict with the freedom Of cleo
tons The facts elected explain the reason
Of the unusual and unyielding opposition mad
by the administration party 10 the investigation
Tbey also display the workings of that mn
chncry by which the party have been so long a
bile to continue in power against the hopes an
interests Of the people. The readers attention
Is directed to the following extracts from eyi
dence taken before the committee.
AvENT S. DE PEYsTEN, sworn as witnes
Question by Mr.. Wise.
While you were connected with the custom
house, do you know whether or not the officer
of the customs were called upon TO pay an
part of their sa'areN, or any assessment Ia!
thereon, for party orpolitcal purposes? II yea
state whether you have ever; and when voi
have made any such payment, and state the mo
tive upon which such payments, were made
Mr. Wagner objected 10 this interroga tory
and called FOR the yeas and nays.
The committee decided that the interrogation,
should he propounded.
Answer. The Weighers were called on 10 pa,
$l5 each for the support Of the election, ant
when declined, Mr., VanderpoeI, the Deputy
Surveyor, observed that l ought 10 consider
whether my 81 500 per annum was not worth
Il,
was the price for my situation, paid il.
The above occurred during the last spring cleo
ton for charter officers During my holding of
icef for about five years, was occasionally called
on, but always dec lined until within the last two
years.
Question. Do you know whether other sub.
Idinate officers bcses yourself in the custom
tax or assessment upon their salaries, Tor the us,
of party and political purposes?
Answer. Only by heresay, MS il regards IN,
other officers, but saw many Of the Weigher
pay the tax ofSl5
Question. Was the money thus collected from
you and others TO he used for political purpos
es? If yea, for which of the then and presen
political parties?
Answer 1t was intended TO he used to sup
port the election Of persons attached to the pres
ent Administration.
The examination er.lh Lyon continued By VI
HtSe.
Question. Whilst you were deputy Col
lector at the Port of New York, were you evei
called on as an officer of the custom house Il
contribute any sum Of money to party or polit
ica objects; if so, what amount? was such a
mount, from you, called for in consideration al
your salary from Government? did you pay it:
if not, why not? who called for such conrihu
tons? were other subordinates in the custom.
house called to contribute in like mnu
ncr? for the support of what party were these
contributions called for? was any menance, di.
rectly indirectly, of removals held over those
officers or yourself for failure, to grant such con-
trihuIions?
Mr. Owens objected to the interrogatory.
The question, Shall the interrogatory be pro
pounded? was put, and decided in the atiirna
tive S. Nays -Nlessrs.t Owens, Wagener-2.
Answer. | have frequently been called on to
contributed to political objects while | was dep
MY collector as an officer of the custom house
The amount was from twenty 10 one humid
red dollars. The tax was pro rata according to
salary. 1t bore II proportion from ono TO six
per cent. frequently paid part of the amounI
when it was too high, and more than could
afford, urged them TO reduce il; in one instance
where was assessed twenty dollars, Mr. Swarr.
,voul told the collector of The tax that ten dol.
ars was enough for me to pay. For few years
back have not paid anything to the General
because could not afford TO pay
longer sustain the party. The
collectors of Tammany Hall General Commit
zee, one of whom was John Becker, called on
ne several times. VIM. Tyack once or twice
JAILED on me to collect the amount with which
was assessed he was not the regular collector,
nut was one Of The General Committee. l be-
icve that nearly all the officers of the custom
louse in doors and out. and the clerks were
inilarly taxed, and generally paid what they
we're assessed. 1t was assessed by tie Genera!
Committee Of Tarnmany Hall, and for the sup
,ort of the pnrty denominated the Tammany
Hall party. 1.-THE individual did not pay the
moant he was taxed with the collector would
emark, you will he reported 10 the General
and every one well understood that
prescription would follow The Collector of the
General Committee has an alphabetical book,
which contains the names of persons taxed, md
he amount each individual is required 10 pay.
From the WoodStock I lines.
FROM NEW BRUNSWICK.
Dispatches passed through here on I n"sday
III sol We