Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-02-21


yer would put it in the power of the Sc
crctary of the Treasury to allow ono man
a salary of ten thousand dollars, and ano-
thcr of five, and another of two, just at
his sovereign pleasure. Every body knew
that if these men put their money in any
bank, with Il certainty that it would not
be called for for four or five months to
come, they could get or 5 per cent, in
tcrcst on it.
Nix. Craig made some remarks, at
the conclusion after which he proposed an
amendment, (handcd to him for that pur-
pose by Mr.. Il. GAHLAND,) providing
that no money appropriated should be
placed in the hands of pension agents
more than one month before the time
for the said pensions.
TO this amendment Mr.. UNDERWOOD
proposed an amendment, providing for
an allowance to the pension agents Of a
certain per ccntagc on the money disbur-
scd by them, utlimiting the total amount
to be received for such services by each
of said agents in one year to 81 800; and
prohibiting any agent from using or loan
ing the public money entrusted to his
hands, under penalty of Imprisonment
for not less than one nor more than five
years.
The debate was continued by Mcssrs.
STANLY, BEATTY, SERGEANT, UNDER
WOOD, w. TmoMrsoN, LEFT, BELL,
Curtis, JONES, of Virginia, and WHITE
of Ken.
Mr.. WAppY THOMPSON rose aud said
that there was one great error petvad'ng
the country, IN the estimation formed of
those who were at this lime administering
the affairs of the nation. II had been
thought that they wanted boldness. Never
had there been greater mistake. Ii
required boldncss OF the highest character,
considering the principles upon winch this
Administration PIT itself before the country
TO come here IN the face of the world, and
endeavor sill further to impose on the
creduIily OF the country. by Offering
proposition directly at war with all the
principles they had profpssed upon the
leading measure Of the Administrator.
What was the proposition now made
He appealed to some gent emen-to some
VI uls COHcdgucs, Whpu ne saw W tUe'T
seats, and who. he knew. were sincere in
their opinions as to he ub.Treasury. and
he would ak them whether they could
reconcile their opinions on that subject
with the vote which they were now called
upon to give For popular effect, and he
believed mainly. If not exclusively, for
popular effect, without raising an eye TO
the great Interests Of the country. and
habItual war has been carried on against
the banking institutions Of the country.
And what was The condition of things in
relation to the pension fund at this time
Banks were not appointed agents. None
but individuals were appointed. But Who
are those individuals For the most part
officers. presidents or cashiers, Of banks,
aud receiving and dischargIng The trust,
no one doubts, not for their own, but for
the benefit of The banks.
why appoint them Was it that the
benefit might !nuIe , e. ithef tWy
ed? Did any body believe it ? Here was
one of those tricks which mad so much
characterized the practice of this Admins.
,ralIon, and by which they accomplished
their favori,e objects without responsibility.
IN the first place, The public money was
deposited 10 the banks and what more !?
Why, the next branch Of the subject was
that over which an equal clamor had been
raIsed-What right had the banks or indi.
vlduas to The use of the public money All
said that there was no such right, unless
the Government could thereby save money
or make better contract for keeping and
discussing It's funds. And yet, 10 the face
Ofthls, the public money had been and was
deposited with individuals, 1t is true, instead
of banks-lhe profits, however, ,nur,ng to
the banks, yet without giving to the Public
il The muney was deposited in banks, the
whole stock Ofthe banks was hypothecated
as security. But how was it on the other
hand? Could as sufficient security be procur
e from an inGivdu who was needy enoueh
10 accept this agency Or, in any event.
could security be procured equal to the
bypo,hecallon Of the whole stock Of The
banks Yet, still the cry was, the public
money is not to be used. Oh no-wbo
had the right TO use it? No one neither
bank nor an individual and yet it was
openly avowed here. and by one Of the
party OF the Administrator, that that was
the best mode Of compensation for these
disbursements. Give to these agents the
use of The public money. although 1t cannot
be done by law, that was the doctrine I;
and yet we were told here by gentlemen
speaking in behalf Of the Administration,
Give this money to the agents that they
may Use IT,, instead Of giving them fixed
salary.
Now, if The policy here laid down was
just policy in relation to the pension fund,
why was !, not nst when applied to all
Others Why should a douceur be given
to private agents for the disbursement OF
this Iund, by permission to have the money