The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-05-27
HENRY CLAY's POLITICAL HONESTY

1t will be recoec,ed that Henry Clay, about the
time of his retirement from the Senate, introduced
several resolutions, embracing among others the
following
Resolred, therefore, That Congress is called
upon to rerench its eypel,>es-by abridgiag the du-
ration of the long sessions; by regulating and more
clearly defining the mileage Of the members; and
10y diminishing lis contingent expenses, and espe-
claly those incurred for stationery, for printing,
for the employment Of clerks for committees. and
for folding printed matter 10 be transmitted through
the mails, &c. &c. &c.
This is all well! We are for going further, for
cutting down the per diem pay, and for reducing
the mileage one half and regulating it to boot
But tins is not now, the matter 10 be considered.
1t will also he rerollectcd, that after the Presi-
dental election Of 1924 ,oue John Scott Of Missou-
RI gave the vote of that State to John Quincy
Adams, against The known will Of his constituents.
II will be recoecled that this act Of political
,reachery, gave the election to John Quincy Ad-
ans, who III Gays own language, being Secretary
Of State, was " in the line vi sale precedenls' Tor
an appointment TO the Presidency.
1t sill be recoecled that as soon as Adams was
chosen President, he appointed Henry Clay, Sec
retury of State, who thus became established sin
the line of safe precedens" himself
1t will be recollected that upon something more
than merely plausible grounds, gross corruption
was charged upon MIR Clay, for his agency in this
matter.
Well-John Scott was member Of the l7!h
Congress, when that pure hearted and honest man,
Philip =. Barbour of Virginia, was Speaker. He
issued warrant for the ply and mileage OF this
man us !OllOws:-
I'd Sess 18th Cong
p. P. Barbour Speaker, 1929.
John Scott Of Missouri,
Mileage iiom st. Genavieve,
ll0O Miles at 20 cents, $3.50
50 days attendance 136--Sl6l6
At the next session, the Presidential election had
past; it was known that there was no choice, and
it was ascer,ained by Mr. Clay, that John Quincy
Adams would do more for Kentucky" than any
other man. In short it WAS ascertalned that no
would appoint Henry Clay Secretary of State'--
Mr. Clay was then Speaker, und issued warrant
to this same John St9H, allowing him as follows:
Il, CLAY, Speaker, 1928
John Scott, Of Missouri.
Mileage from ST. Genevieve,
100 at so cents $3.50
l19 days in attendance li3a--S"Si2
Add 500 miles at so cents aO0
500 miles short twice in travel
ling in coming here by water,
1000 miles at Az cents 4uO
500 miles short seven times in
returning by water-SjOo lloo
Sl5l2
These facts wc have taken from the Madlsonian.
Mr Scot, was not only, for the first time, allowed
full travel by the rirer route. which he had taken
because he could travel cheuper by the river, than
he could by land, but Nh Clay kindly corrected
the warrants of his predecessors in this matter,nnd
allowed Mr. Scott Iu-J9iwenly-two hundred dollars
for Illegal extras IN arrears
Mr. Clay gave John Scott a warrant for Si5i2
at single session, when he was legally entitled
to only S23l2. John Scott voted for John GUM
cy Adams agains, the will of his constituents; Mr.
Adams placed Henry Clay " in the line OF safe
presidents" for the Presidency Of the United
States! Such was the connection Of these events
We leave our readers 10 inie! from them what
they please. ..
Let even political friend of Mr. Clay, if he be
n candid man, look at this enormous allowance
and see if he can justify it. Is it consistent with
the affected economy Of Mr. Clay now: Is this
The way, he would Regulate and more clearly
define the mileage OF menbers:" lfso, The less
of his SORT Of reirenchmem we have, the better 1t
vii! be for the country-CooS Dem.