Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-08-18
Public Expenditures.
Remarks of Mr.. Ogle--conclude


But, sir. ammo, done with the pseudo de-
mocracy Of Martin Van Buren,. There re-
mains TO be examined most important por-
ton of his political history. | refer 10 his con-
| duct in relation TO the right Of suffrage in The
Convention held a, Albany in the year 1871
for the purpose Of amending the Constitution
OF the State of New York. hold IN my haiid
a book belonging 10 the Library OF Congress,
published by l.. II Clark in 1881, containing
| proceedings and debates of that Conyoniio0.
/ ! will read tho com. several extracts from the
| proceedings of that body on Thursday ihe-27th
of September, and Saturday the 9Th of Octo-
I October, 1921. They are contained on pagcsl
| III, ll2, ISL, and 1872, of the book: r5
"mr. 1almadge offered tic following suhe =
tuie in relation 20 disqualification Of cc's,
.'rs ,.ssss sss .aos.@lS i,5st i.nl ..nmo cfs~oy
proceeding the election, have rented a tene-
inent therein oftho yearly value offve dollars,
and shall have rated and paid a highway tax
either by labor or commutltion. Sept. 81,
p Ill
"Mr. Tallmadge took occasion to say that
he was opposed TO universal suffrage"
"Mr. Root said the amendment of the gen
| ileman from Duchess was providing for the
disiranchisement OF numerous class of citi-
zens. The renting oftenements had become
lie enlarged upon the remarks of the gentle
man from Niagara, (Mr. Russell9 who men,
toned two instances in his town where two
/ Revolutionary patriots and soldiers, one of
whom fought with Montgomery under the
walls of Quebec and the other under Wayne
at Stony Point, would be DISTINGUISHED if this
! provision were stricken outage al.
| "Mr Van Buren,, on the subject, said few of
! those patriots were now living, and of that
few the number was yearly diminishing. In
| fifteen years the grave will have covered all
those who now survive Was it not. then,
un wise to hazard Wholesome restrictive pro-
vision, lest in its operation 1t might affect
those few individuals for very short time 7
He would add no more. His duty would not
permit him to say less. Sept. 81, p li2.
"Mr Van Buren,. The qualifications re-
ported by the first committee were of three
kinds, viz. the paymen. of money tax, the
performance of military duty, and workn on
the highways. The two former had met with
his decided appreciation: to the latter he wish
ed to add the additional qualification that the
elector, ilhe paid no tax, performed no mill
tin duty, but Offered his vote on the sole
ground that he had laboIed on the highways,
should also be a house holder; and that was
the only point in which he had dssen,ed from
the report of the committee. October 9Th
page 1871.
"Mr Van Buren, said he had, on the motion
ofthe gentleman from Columoia TINS day, nm
ted at the numerous Oblectiuns which he had
TO the proposition which the other day passed
the convention in regard to the right of suf
frage objections which he intended to make
had the committee reported in favor of that
vote and by which, when fully urged, he knew
that he would be able to convince every men,
Der of this committee of the dangerous and
alarming tendency of that precpitate and un-
expected prostralion ofall qualifications. At
this moment he would only say among the
many evils which would flow from wholly
unrestricted suffrage the following would be
the most injurious
"lst. 1t would give to the city of New York
about twenty-five thousand votes; while, I'M
der the liberal extension Of the right on the
choice of delegates to this convention, she
had but about thirteen thousand. That the
character of the increased number of votes
would be such as would render their elections
rather curse than a blessing, which would
drive from the polls all sober minded people,
| &c.
sod II would not only he injurious to them
but that injury would work All equally great
one to the western and northern part Of the
State, sc.
"3d. The door would have been entirely
closed against retreat, whatever might be our
after conviction. founded on experience, as
10 the evil tendency of this extended suffrage
The Just equilibrium between the night of
those who have and those who have not an
I interest in the Government could, when once
surrendered, never be regaiued, ctccpt by N,
Srord.' October 6, page 1872.
! Now, sir, in the speeches of Martin Van
Buren, which have quoted, and with which
all hisyoies in the New York Convention full
! w correspond, we have his true and uudis
/ guised opinions in regard to the right Of SUI
frage His sentiments on this subject are II IN.
equivocally expressed. lie was in favor ~
what lac was pleased to call "wholcsoue
restrictive provision" although that "res,uc-
tive provision should deprive Revolutionary
soldiers who had fought under Montgomery
and Wayne of their votes.
Martin Van Buren, In TINT convention wish
ell to add the additional qualification, tia, the
eector should also lie a 'llOusehollor," al
/ though that qualification would have taken
away the votes Of the heroes who had rsked
/ their lives under the walls OF Quebec and a.
Stony Point. To be sure, he endeayors 10
! comfort those veteran soldiers by telling them
/ that their "number was yearly diminishing
and that "in fifteen wears the grave will have
covered all those who now survive" Good
/ kind-hcaHed Martin Van Burcn would only
deprive the old Revolutionary heroes Of the
votes an their lives-not a day longer. lie
would take away the votes OF men who had
/ calamity commended with the leginns Of King
/ George, seven long Yeas, for the privilege OF
I the ba,iOi-boX. and then excuse limselfhy say
/ ing. Oh, it will make no great difference, "lor
/ 10 fifteen years the craveiwIil have covered all