Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-08-21

9 uot hesitate to rely, would refer YOU speci
any 10 my neighbors John v. ID. Spienel. and
samuel Scott Esquires, friends of the admins
iau , VINO viii vote against me on principle
nign minded and honorable opponents who
mSocu'ui scorn TO Tell an untruth to elect OF
ueles' any candidate. | must beg pardon Of
'nem Tor thus, without their consent or knowl.
edge, obtruding their names on the public. =
They and their families have had intercourse
WHO my family, and they know something OF
me past and present state of Mrs HIS health.
ana oy their decision, whether was justified
IN ieaving and remaining from my seat in con-
gress to take charge of Mrs H., [ am ready IN
ABIDE. Upon this point would also refer 10
DIS Biselow and Swift, before mentioned.
My absence from Washington being ius
Unable and proper, the next question relates
70 the pay. Upon this point will endeavor
70 De as brief as possible, though before stat.
ing the facts in my own case |, will be ne.
cessary 10 say few words in relation 10 the
RUE adopted IN Congress in cases Of the
absence oil members from their seats. When
hrst went 10 Washington, was surprised
at the practice which | found prevailing
there. it being different from that which /
had supposed existed | found that mem.
oers. and especially those residing in the
States nearest Washington were in The hab,
OF visiting their homes once, twice or more.
and OF being absent from their seats for two.
three, SIX aud sometimes more weeks during
every session. AS the facilities for travelling
nave increased, those residing at q greater
distance, have taken the like liberties These
absences are not confined 10 cases Of sickness
OF either the member or his family. but ex
tend 10 matters Of business and pleasure and
even 10 purposes of clectioneering. On nv
return home left Washington in company
with Mr. Senator Grundy, who was on bis
wayto Philadelphia TO make party Speech
on the 4lh of July, and your readers are
doubtless aware oil the facts that during the
past session, he, as well as other members
and Senators have been ilneralng in Mary.
l aing, nyl ishS6Ri4b o. aae Reconsideration advqeA
tlemen. members of the bar, residing in Vir
gina Maryland and Pennsylvania. are in
the habit of continuing their practice as
lawyers while in Congress- and Of going
home for two, three or more weeks at u
time to attend the terms of their Courts,
and advocate their Causes. Mr.. Vandrrpool
who addressed the friends of the adninistra.
lion in this town land a large number Of
Wings nlso) on Saturday last, was absent
| from Washington for several weeks during
the las, session, and left the city some days
before its close. In relation TO all these
cases the practice has been uniform ever
since have been in Congress. No account
is ever taken OF the absence Of Members.
They are always paid as having been pres
eni from the time OF taking their seats to the
close ofthe session. There may have been
instances in which the pay was not deman-
ded. never heard Of one aud do not be-
ieve there arc any.
During the time have been in Congress
| have never awaited myself OF the privilege
thus generally taken, until the present SEES
sion, except that ut tue called session IN
| 1887 | Iell Washington lew Jays before
its close, TO attend upon sick son ut Troy
| Under these circumstances, considering my
absence as juslifable and proper, did. when
had determined as before stated not TO re-
turn 10 Washington, write to my friend the
Hon. Mr.. Briggs 10 call upon the Sergeant
at arms for my pay. He informs me that
he did so, but that in consequence OF my not
&being personally present. 1t was presented
10 m. Committees of accounts This Com
mi,,ee consisted of Mr. Johnson OF Va Mr.
Lawrence Of Mass. Mr. Johnston of n. Y.
MIR. Marchand of Pa. and Mr.. Floyd OF ~
Y. Mr.. Lawrence and Mr. Johnston oil n. Y
being absent from sickness, the account was
only acted upon by the three other gentle
men. who were all friends Of the admnistra'
ton. They took distinction between the
case of the absence OF member al the close
of the session, aud one who had been prev
iousy absent and had returned, and al
though they admitted. as am informed By
Mr. Briggs that they had each oil them yisi
ted their families during the session. and re
ceived their pay for the whole time OF theil
absence, We, they disalowed the account
{ know that Mr.. Johnson the Chairman
was absent for about three weeks. having
happened 10 meet him at Alexandria on hi
, return from his home, and held conversation
with him about the length Of the lime he
had been absent, and the State OF politIca
parties in his district. The account having
been disullowed there the matter rests.
have not received the pay, nor has Mr.
Briggs, and have authorized no other per
: son 10 apply for it. | am informed yo'
have in your possession certificate oil tn
Register Of the Treasury. that have draw
f my pay to the 2lst OF July. | assure you
| the certificate is founded in mistake. for
f cannot believe il TO be intentionally false
h | have written to Mr.. Smith the Regisle
k for an explanation. but sufficient time ha
e not vet elapsed to obtain an answer.
= have thus freely and fully stated III
!, facts in my case for wish 10 conceal moth
|. ing. Ia my opinion the absence oil member