The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-16

son. William Sullivan was the author or cause
of those attacks) AT the time he was speaking
said Mr.. R.) called upon my colleague MIR.
P.) TO know if he intended TO affirm that the
statement was true further TO name the person
who gave him the information. Mr. p declined
giving the name Of his friend. The story is OF
no consequence in itself, but as il has been con-
sidered OF sufficient importance by my colleague
10 bring il deliberately to the notice of this
House, and as believe il calumny, could
not forbear 10 denounce il. Who that knew the
late William Sullivan, distinguished for talent
and moral worth, and pre-eminent for urbanity,
respect, and politeness to ALL would for mo-
ment believe he was guilty Of abusing and SLAM
dering his father2
But my colleague has an important object in
view. He wants political capital, and he must
seek the ways and means 10 create il. He must
not only render those odious and hated who
composed the Hartford Convention, but must
transmit the odum TO the Wing party He
must show the identity-that those who died
many years ago, if alive, would be Wings, DC.
Every body knows that there have been great
changes in political parties in quarter Of CEN
tury and every body knows that a very consi-
derable portion of the voters the citizens of the
country, have come into political life since that
period. forbear to enlarge upon this subject.
| Again: my colleague spoke Of the "spoils
partyn abiding to the administration, and
said that they have been complained of by some
for their generosity and forbearance in continu-
ing opponents in office. If so, it has been rery
unjust, for very few opponents have been al
lowed to hold valuable Office unless their SER
vices We're indispensable. Many noyices, with
no other qualifications but party zeal and party
| service have been appointed to high and re-
sponsible offices. How could their duties be-
discharged but for able and competent clerks2-
| The maxim of the victors being entitled to the
spells always reminds me Of savage victory.
| When their enemies are defeated and driven
from the field of battle, they then cruelty strip
and scalpthe wounded, the dying, and the dead.
| My colleague informs US that the Wings hold
almost all the Offices in Massachusetts. Ii will
be remembered that the Wings in Massachu-
sets have long held the power, and have very
naturally, in most cases, preferred their own po-
litical friends. But my colleague well knows
two things: lst That they have not removed
men from Office TO make place for friends. Cd.
That the Offices in Massachusetts are filled with
fit and competent men. II the National Go
vernment would pursue the same honorable
course ] would never complain. complain
that they remove worthy and fit men from Of
flee and fill their places with men unfit and I'M
worthy. complain that, instead Of selecting
competent honest men, qualified for the Office,
they have selected politicians and in many
cases of the baser sort. The question has not
been, IS he honest, is he capable ?n but, what
services has he rendered the party. for which
he is entitled TO compensation? What services
can he render the party, for which il may be pc
icy TO advance the compensation or ofice!-
Thus the country suffers in many cases from the
Incompetence and uniitness of office -holders,
whose time is nisspent, and who commend
themselves to favor by being brawling politicians
and newspaper writers. They cry democracy
and love of the People louder than all others,
for their Offices are at stake; and these selfish,
dependent, prostituted politicians hope to pass
for pure and disinterested patriots. They go
about delivering political lectures, and write and
circulate political dissertations. Their wanton,
gross, and unprecedented neglect of official duty
meets no disapprobaton from the Executive,
provided they are proftabiy employed in po-
litcs.
But the evil days have passed by, and the
People are becoming awakened to a sense of duty
and interest. Their defamation about banks,
monopoly, love of the People, &C., will no longer
avail. The inquiring people will ask, what of
flee do you hold2 What is your compensation
How long do you hope to continue in Office If
you love and serve the People, and are so richly
| and generously rewarded for your services, how
can you honestly and honorably abandon your
trust and waste your time in writing and ad
dressing the People Did the officers appointed
by General Washington pursue such course
tolerated by General Washington or the People.
! wish to say word in reply to the gentleman
from Pennsylvania, (Mr. Keim) In abiding to
his own open and manly course, (Which do not
question J he censured the irresponsible commit
tee who investigated the frauds of Swartwout
Why irresponsible Because chosen by ballot
| Were not the committee found sufficiently eff
| cient2 Did not the committee make sufficient
search Did they not discover frauds enough
in number, and great enough in amount TO salts
fy the gentleman2 Does he believe greater dis
coveres would have been made had the com
mittee been appointed by the Speaker or chosen
rira roce? In my own State, so tender are we
of the poor and dependent, that we require all
votes to be given by ballot, and in secret, and
there is penalty of ten dollars if any man
opens and discovers for whom vote is given
Here Mr.. keim begged to explain, and OBJ
served that he approved of the ballot vote for the
People, but not in this House.
Mr.. REED. will call the genteman's atten-
ton to one of the cases he alluded to in this
House of the ballot vote. 1t was, think, seven
years ago, for the election of printer. Messrs.
Gales & Seaton were elected. What was after
wards required by the despotism of party That
those who voted for Blair & Rives, bv ballot,
should give certificates that they voted for Blair
Rives, and more than ninety members (un-
less am much mistakenly gave their certificates
as to their vote, and il was always suspected
that some made mistake in their certificates
There is another case to which will call the
attention OF this House-the Investigating Com
mittee appointed in the year 1887, Of which Mr..
Wise was chairman. Examine their votes, and
see how far the inquiry was pursued See who
checked and restrained it, Is il not a remarka-
bic fact that three of that committee, who sus-
tanned the Executive and restrained the exam
nation, and who failed TO be reelected to Con
gress, in one short year received valuable Offices
from the President2 Little opportunity has