The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-20
From, The Richmond Wing.
BLAIR AND HOOKER.

| The Globe, speaking of The report that the no,o
rious Hooker had absconded with the public money,
attempts a reiuiaon. II states that Hooker resigned
on the lIth of April last and gives extracts from
his letter oi resignation TO prove that he was not
defau'ter 10 The Government. But the extracts, so
far from bearing out the statement Of the Globe,
contradic s il, and admit that Hooker was al that
time in areas. We suboin the extracts:
by overlrade and misfortune, have become EN-
barfassed in my pecuniary affairs. therefore have
deemed il BEST in order 10 avoid the camor that my
holding on might produce, to resign the Office Of
Postmaster. therefore return To YOU my humble
thanks for the honor and the confidence you had in
me in besowing the office upon me, and tender 10
you my resignation as postmaster at this place
The contractor has not yet called for the receipts
of last quarter; but whenever he does, The money
will be promptly paid over, and should there be any
balances arising from errors in calculation on any
former returns, the moment am advised Of the
amount il shall be adjusted"
This is the same old tale of Harris, Linn, and the
other plunderers OF the plblic. They have used
the public funds FIR private uses-hey have been
unfortunate in their speculations, but they will pay
Yes, promises are pleanty as blackbeIres-they
riH pay, and with them the Government must be
content.
The Globe having, to his own satisfaction, refuted
what il is pleased 10 term the calumny upon this
Sub treasurer, undertakes 10 defend his appointment
II says:
"But Mr.. Hooker once sheriff. and on
certain occasion when the interests of Federal Whg-
gerry were al STAKE thought Inc SheriHS had right
10 strike of fraudulent votes from the poll books
when they assembled to make comparison, and
because the other sherifS refused TO do so, he with
held The poll book Of which he was the bearer. As
70 "perjury," and stealing the poll book" That is
all the invention Of political malice He was I'M
doubleday wrong, and his democratic friends have
not attempted to defend him, further than to main
tain that it was an error OF opinion, and, as. such
ought 10 be forgiven. Nor have they ever CON-
planned Of the act OF the Federal Wing Legislature
| afk emil kv lar art here ttar a peni-
Tertiary offence. 1t IS the interest Of the Democra-
cy, that the right of suffrage shall be most strictly
guarded. They did not think, however, that Mr.
Hooker ought to be sent TO the penentiary or pro.
scribed or hunted through life, for mere error of
opinion especially ms, by the testimony of friend
and foe, it appeared that his private character was
without reproach. Whether he has since done any
act indicating moral urpi ude, we know not; but the
public is not likely 10 suffer from the amount Of
public funds held by him, and that he has Iun away
at all, we do not believe"
did the world ever hear such adefence of an Off
cial act He was automatically ,vrong" to withhold
the poll book and defeat the will Of the peoplebut
his Democratic friends thought il an error of OPT
MON, and as such, ought to be forgiven" But,what
thought Amos Kendall Of this penilentary offence2
He deemed il a most praiseworthy act, and signifed
his sense of it. by rewarding Hooker with the Office
OF Postmaster!
But The most shameless portion of this article is
the assertion that The Democracy never defended
this act, which was undoubtedly wrong" The
records of Congress tell very different tale. In
consequence OF III 'ckers stealing the poll book,
Free Tom Moore obtained the return to Congress.
Letcher contested his election. The whole affair
was investigated; and although it was demonstrated
that Lecher entitled ~ the seat the Democracy
then The minority in The House Of Representatives,
refused TO give il 10 him, and sent the election b ck
TO the people. They profted by the roguery Of
Hocker-on the strength of il, they deprived the
people Of one Congressional District of their Re-
preventative for session. and afterwards actually
rewarded their corrupt tool with lucrative office
and now, when he has stolen the public money, and
abNconded they for the first time, admit that " he
was undoubtedly wrong" and assert that they never
defended his conduct!