The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-27
SPEECH OF MIR. AFFORD.

SPEECH OF MIR. Afford,
On the amendment of Mr.. Johnson, of Tennessee, to
the appropriation bill for Civil and Diplomatic pur
poses. To reduce the fees Of the District Attorney
of the Southern District of New York 10 six thou
sand dollars. Delivered in the House of Rcpresen-
tatyes Tuesday, February, 1871.
Mr.. Afford rose and said Mr. Chairman,
had no intention to engage in this debate came
over here to friend, and gentlemen have sprung
up around me- one after another TO speak until have
caught the infection And more than that the subject
has assumed shape favorable to beginning Of econo
my and reform, and affords the friends Of General
Harrison an opportunity of redeeming our pledges to
the American people-pledges made by me upon the
stump-by US all in every form and shape.
This is a favorable opportunity to begin at the right
end of reform and retrenchment Sir, set out in
this great contest for Harrison, Tyler and Reform
Harrison and Tyler elected by great and glorious
majority. "One fire more and the victory is ours" Now
for reform. Yes, sir, now is the time. Let not my
friends object that too late let them not reproach
me, because objected it was too late 10 begin revi-
sion Of the tariff this session. went upon the princ
pie that it Is always too late to do wrong-never too
late to do right Besides, the tariff complex ques-
tion-this is simple one-one which the people said
in the late election, should be acted out Let to
the work in good faith.
Those of our friends who have spoken in opposition
to this amendment object, because it proceeds from
friend of the present admlnst ation and because they
Of this "dying" administration of Mr.. Van BuIens
to this late hour of their existence in the cause
Of reform and retrenchment The two gentlemen
from N. York, Mr. Granger and Mr.. Clark y have met
the proposition with indignant ebuke They have both
repeated the charges used by ALL in the late canvass
of extravaganza and corruption in the Of the public
money by the friends Of Mr.. Van Buren,. Sir made
use of the argument believed it then believe it
now. Moreover, this same fat office was one of my
principal hobbies.
Yes sir, told the people that the District Attorney
Of New York, held under Mr. Van Buren, an APP
pointment by virtue of which, he received 25 or 80
thousand dollars per annum salary and fees Of of
ce and yet had time spare from its duties to ride
the great empire State of New York and deliver
speeches in favor ofthe reelection of his employer
denounced it as case of extravaganza and corr upton
welded the facts and circumstances with all the force
could call into rcquisition the people believed it, and
it had its effect, plain easily understood
II was with the many other alledged abuses urged by
! US all, considered, believed, and condemned.
Here sir, without generalization arrangement the
long list Of abuses pracsed by the Administration rise
up and pass in review before my mind The sub
Treasury with all its machinery, an executive mea-
full Of power and Device and fraugh with danger
the purse surrendered 10 the President in violation
OF the Constitution in whose hand that Constitution
has placed the sword. Then the departments with all
their dependencies and expeetans, the office holders
and Office seekers, the whole army who feasted and
attened on the patronage ofthis Administration which
were but yesterday roting in the spos Of victory pass
IN review before my Hlnu. LOOK, Mr.. Chairman,
the past How powerful How portentousl
Then upon the present, how changed upon the fu-
ture how full of hope if are only faithful The
party" yesterday triumphant, to day beaten and dis
persed to morrow dead Now sir, to use the language
ofmy eloquent friend from Tennessee (Mr. Gentry
in the very hour and article Of death they move for
REFORM and instead of consong and encouraging them
in this " death-bed repentance reproach them,
and what is worse those who have spoken refuse the
proeTed reformation because rendered in the hour
and Article Of death nv n yho
before because they were in power. Sir this is ne
ther charitable nor just.
What did our Saviour do in the "hour and article
of DEATH" when appealed to by the thief upon the
cross, in the very Of death bed repentance He
said to him, "hs day shalt thou be with me in Para
disc" But, sir, as to the justice of refusal of this
reform; what mean by that is, if refuse the re-
formation, no matter by whom rendered, no matter
what the motive, we not Just to ourselves, our
party, or our country. We made the pledge to each
ether; we made it to our party; made it to our
country, andnow is the accepted tme-now is the day
of our salvation if we true, to prove faith by
our works"
Sir, can but express my astonishment at the gen
temen from New York they tell the gentleman from
Tennessee his party ought to have reformed this
abuse, but would not so long as they received the
benefit All this is true and worthy of all condemna-
ton But, SIR, is this any reason that we who have
been so loud IN our abuse of this foul play should saw
Just as we are going into power that we will not nor
reform, because ne about to get the benefit Gen
tlcmen
Know the right, approve it, too,
Condemn the wrong and yet the wrong pursue"
| am sure, Mr. Chairman, these Northern Wings
have not reasoned upon their effect interest must
blind them. Is one ofthem to have the ofcc2 hope
so lwish good honest Harrison lawyer may get
it, | believe of that kind will; and | say six
thousand dollars is salary enough in all conscience.
The President is the only officer who gets more, and
men now going out of Congress into the Depart
mcnts for that salary, and must live upon it in public
life in Washington city of much talents any
that live; and New York lawyer must have more to
be district attorney. Well WELL if you cannot fur
nish man for that amount will send you from
Georgia, better lawyer than any you produce,
who will be glad to get it.
One word about members of Congress seeking for
Office desire to say thar, whilst am member OF
this House, whilst | am honored by the people OF
Georgia with seat here will neither seek nor receive
office at the hands of General Harrison, or any body
else esteem this seat given by the people, of their
free will and accord the highest on earth in point
of honor.
Mr.. Chairman to effect thorough reformation we
must act in detail Let take the offices as they
come before us. Let US use good economy-not a
niggardly parsmony The laborer is worthy Of his
hire; !" but six thousand is as much as any one man
can earn, any way you fix il. And as for my
part not rto the reformation or what his
mofires IT. in my judgment his measure will do good
will vote for IT, as | will vote for this.
Sir, the condition ofthis party Of Mr. Van Buren,
reminds of a debtor whose property ence IN
der execution to be sold for debt After trying every
possible cxpedient to evade the payment OF his Just
debt he saw he must pay be sold out he paid and
with deep sigh, he made this remark, when he part
ed with his last dollar pay my debts freely any
man ving--when am compelled TO do it. Mr. Van
Burens party reform freely any set of men when
they compelled TO do il and sir, compelled they