Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-04-04

hrmstivs. Yeas-Messrs. Curtis, Dawson,
Smith, Wiss-6. Nays-Niessrs. Foster,
Owens, Wag ener-3.
Other proceedings were had, IN regard to
which MIR. Wise offered the follow ing resolu-
ton:
Resolced. That the following facis be en-
tered on tho Journal: MIR. Wise propoun>
ded to the witness, Abraham b. Vantierpoel,
the following question:
Question 2. DO you know whether the
| officers OF the custom. house have been call
cd on 10 contribute sums Of money TO party
and political objects? what officers have
been SO called upon; by whom for wha,
amount; with or without regard TO their
! salaries Of office /; when did they contribute !;
IL they refused, was any ,niimsiioa given
that their refusal might occasion their remos
val; what amount has 80 been contributed
or collected, and for the support Of wha, par>
~, al any one elections"
The witness took the interroga!ory with
ont objection TO propoundng the same, and
proceeded to write his answer thereto on the
paper attached to the question, and had
written the following, To wit:
81 have known officers attached 10 the
cus,om-house to have been called on for :"
When Mr.. Owens, member OF the Com
mittee, in,erposed, aud informed the witness
that he was not bound 10 answer any inter
rogatory relating TO his private affairs and,
lhereupoE, MIR. Foster, another member OF
the Committee, objected to propounding the
interrogaiory. The witness hel commenc.
ed TO tear off what be had written before OBJ.
lection was made to the interroga,ory Mr.
Wise prevented him from doing 90, by for.
bidding the act. Mr.. Foster insisted that
the witness had the right to tear off what he
had written, and that il was not his answer
until il was complete and handed in, and he
asked the witness whether il VAS his answer,
and he replied 'lt was not ;" and the Com
mitee having decided that the interrogato-
~ should be propounded, the said question
by Mr.. Wise was again handed TO the wit
ness, and he returned The following 81 de-
ness was then permitted TO retire.
MIR. Curtis called Tor The yeas and nays
on Mr.. Wise's motion; and the resolution
was adopted. Yeas Messrs Curtis, Daw-
son, Foster, Harlan, Owens, Smith, Wag-
ener, Wise-S. Nays-None.
The examination of 3fr. LYON, continued
by 1fr. Uise.
Question. Whilst you were Deputy Col
lector at the port of New York, were you
ever called on as an officer of the custom
ney 10 party or political objects if SO, " hat
amount! was such amount, IRON you, call
ed Tor in consideration of your salary from
Government! what portion did il bear 10
your salary! did you pay il? if not. why
nots who called Tor such contributions !?
were other subordinates in the customs house
TO your knowledge called on TO contribute
in like manner! for the support Of wi hat par
~ were these contributions called tor was
any menace directly or indirectly OF removal,
held over these officers or yourself for fa-
lures 10 grant such contributions:
MIR. Owens objected 10 the interrogatory.
The question, Shall the interrogatory be
Propounded? was put, and decided in the az
firmative, the yeas and nays having been
called by MIR. Ovens. Ieas-N1essrs. Cur
tis, Dawson, Harlan, Smith, Wise-5,
Nays-Messrs. Owens, Wsgener-2.
Answer. have frequently been called
on 10 contribute 10 political objects while
was deputy Collector, as an officer Of the
custom,house. The amount was from TWEEN.
~ dollars 10 one hundred dollars. The tax
was pro rata according to salary. II bore a
proportion OF from one 10 six per cent |
frequently paid part of the amount; " hen
II vas too high, and more than could afford
| urged them 10 reduce il in one instance.
where | was assessed twenty dollars, Mr..
Swartwout told the collector of The tax that
len dollars was enough fer me TO pay. For
a few years back | have not paid any
thing TO the General Committee, because
could not afford 10 pay the amount assessed,
and because could not conscisnc iously Ion
ger sustain the party. The collector Of the
Tanmany Hall General Committee, one OF
whom was John Becker, called on me sew
eral times. William Tysck once or twice
called on me to collect the amount with
which was assessed; he was mol the regus
lar collector, but was one of the General
Committee. believe that nearly all the
officers OF The custom house, in doors and
out, and the clerks, were similarly taxed,
and generally paid what they were assessed.
Ii was assessed by the General Commute e
of Tammany Hall, and for tho support of
The party dsnominated the Tammsny Hall
party. II the individual did not pay The a.
mount he was taxed with, the Collector
would remark You will be reported 10
The General Committee; and every body
well understood that prescription would fol,
low. The Collector of the General Com
mittee has 40 alphabetical book, which con.
tains the names of persons taxed, and tho a.
mount each individual is required 10 pay.
Coinage. moDg other methods employ.
ed by Benton and his party To give counien-
ance 10 The hard money humbug, was the
establishment Of three Branch Mints-sev.
orally situated al Charlotte, Dahlonegs and
New Orleans Ii anneara bv Tho sa,o,, 81