Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-08-30

/ I'VE are authorised 10 say that the
writer dthe annexed was an original Jack
sonian--one who honestly went for reirench-
mentaud reform in 1928. and is therefore
now RACED on the side OF the Democratic
Wings, for retrenchment and reform He
is more familiar with the axe, the scythe
and he hoe, than with the pen, but he has
nevertheless spoken the truth in all snceri-
~ aud plainness. and deserves a hearing
For the Wafchman and Journal.
Mr. EDIToR am a democrat, and
wish TO make, through the medium Of your
paper, few, to me, important inquiries aud
the first is,--lf when the government expen-
ses were little more than one third their
present amount, it was necessary 10 cry re-
trenc hment and reform, is il not much more
so now | am aware that those who were
associated with me at the time this cry was
first raised, will refei me TO the speech delv-
cred by the handful by MIR Duncan This
speech, however, does not satisfy my mind
In the least. He says there has been an in
crease Of the population and business OF the
country and, of course, there must be an in.
crease oil the expenses This is what | do
no, understand for i: is absolutely certain
that the business for collector of the GUS
toms in this place is not more than in Mr..
Adams day. We have a collector Of the
customs in this valley whose salary is $500
per year, and will venture TO assert that
his collections do not amount 10 S25 for the
same time This same officer could do the
duty, few years since, with one half The
salary. and as well as ii is now done. This
is not the worst for government has seen
fit 10 annex another officer with the same
salary. only eight miles south Of here, in the
same valley. whose collections cannot exceed
those ofthe former so that within this val
ley, government is paying annually 1920
and getting, probably, not more than fifty o.
ii back again. | say it is a poor hand who
cannot earn his wages; or else, thai he is re
ceiving more than he opght Not only this
but government has taken off the duty OF
many articles since Adams administration
and this would diminish the business for
collector.
As for the pos,-office department. If tn,
government has pursued the same cours,
with all new Offices, that it did with the on,
. in this town when first put in operation, thi
could not increase their expenses; for her,
we could not have one unless the offic,
would pay its way, or that the inhabitant
requesting il would make il up
: The question, then. resolves itself int
this: Ii the general government took tn
duty entirely off from many articles, ant
, more Than doubled the number Of, custom ol
, ones. was it for any thing other than election
7 eering purposss2 for il is absolutely ceriai
: that the government pays nearly double tn
/ amount Of salaries, for collecting not IA
from one half the revenue they did in Ad
: ans administration, at the very time whe
{ the cry OF Retrenchment and Reform wa
: raised.
Another inquiry is: Have not those
!. who raised the cry. either abandoned thei
principles by their actions, or acknowledge
:. that they were playing the part OF villain:
q in raising and carrying it on2 1t appear
+ TO me that if the cry was necessary ther
5 that 1t is thrice so now and as |, for one
| was candid in il, | shall endeavor to keep
: up. Ifthis was democracy then, it is muc
e more SO now.
e | would not be misunderstood with refe
y ence 10 the custom-house officer in this En-
e porium OF the valley for Notwithstanding h
e does not one tenth part earn his salary
e his collections, yet, he does the business
d for which he was appointed, most admirs
e bly-prOpidedh he nas appointed for election
+ eering purposes. He will take every homo
!. able measure TO convert others TO his part
$ notions and ifhe thinks any one is abol
: kicking out of the traces, he will come OF
$ with his only. and all powerful argumer
i against him, Of turncoat and this, he suppt
J. SEES. will "hau'd the wretch in order" ii
e says. emphaiically, by his actions, that he
: willing every one should think and act 70
;, himself provided he will think as he say
Il or as he tells him. He is. doubtless, a pei
d feet model, in his own eyes, Of democracy
IS but in mine, OF arisioeraey
y Now, Mr. Editor. as said before, am
e democrat was, and ever have been. for r,
o trenchment and reform and shall continu
h TO be, until it is brought about.
IS A DEMOCRAT.
IF Troy, Aug. 1882
e AWFUL INsANITy.-We learn from Brige