The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-16
.MR. ARNOLD'S INFRINGEMENT.

| 4MR. ARNOLD'S RETRENCHMENT.
Mr. Arnold appears to think that zeal for
retrenchment provided it be noisy and obtru-
sve, will, like charity, cover multitude OF
sins. Every day nearly he reminds the House
that he is the father off bill proposing renench-
ment. We dlscaim all intention Of impeach-
ing the sincerity of his zeal to obtain the pas
sage of that bill; but single act of virtue, or
single bill may, like single speech, give man
special notoriety. But it is the singleness of
the BILL not its merits, that gives the notoriety.
Though he be sincere in his declarations that he
wishes the pay and mileage reduced, yet his
clamors will not blind the people to his political
misdeeds-wi not blind the People to the fact
that while he calls for the passage of his pet bill
for retrenching, he votes very readily 10 put pro-
perty into the possession Of himself and his bro
Their retrenchers. Mr.. Morris proposes resolu-
ton for distributing books to the members OF
Congress. These books are, we understand,
about fifty thousand dollars. How did it hap
pen that MI. Arnold's retrenchment zeal then
slumbered2 He wishes the pay of members to
be reduced twenty five per cent. His patriot
ism will not permit him to take SO much money
from the pockets of the dear People. But while
he declaims SO earnestly against pocketing mo-
ney, he quietly votes that he and others should
be supplied with books, for which the dear Peo-
pie must pay 10 the tune of about fifty thousand
dollars
The country rays for the education of the
officers OF the army and of the officers of the
navy, AID will unquestonably not murmur at
furnishing proper means for educating the mem
as to have obtained but little knowledge before
their election. No one-as far as we have heard
condemns the annual appropriation of five
thousand dollars to put in the Congress Library
scientific books for the instruction of the mem
bers, and novels for the amusement of their
wives. The representatives of the People are,
we think, literally treated. Their travelling ex-
penses are paid, the means Of living are munif-
Gently provided for, and even the means of edu-
eating them are furnished as long as they are
in Congress. But this munifcence does not
satisfy the cupidity of Mr.. Arnold and his bro
therretrenchers. They want books, or pretend
they want them; and instead of acting as gen
tlemen do who have been in Congress, and paying
for such as they wish to obtain out of their own
pockets, they pass resolution that the People
mustpay for them. The People must pay for books
which men, who will in all probability never be
in Congress again, take home with them to
amuse their solitude when enjoying the otium
cum dignitate Of private gentlemen.
Mr.. Morris pi opposes that books, which, it is
said, will cost something ike $4,000, shall be
distributed among certain members. Mr.. Arnold,
who is rabid for retrenchment, votes fort, and so
do Mr. Bolts, Mr.. Fillmore, Mr.. Mathiot, and
many other retrenchers. Mr.. Arnold, Mr.. Arnold,
you have appropriated for yourself by simple
resolution more than your bill would take from
your pay at the next session.
Let us make the calculation. The next SEES
sion will last about ninety days. Your bill takes
from your pay two dollars day, so that you
will lose altogether by your bill one hundred
and eighty dollars. From the best information
within our reach, we Learn that you will receive
about eight hundred dollars worth of books so
you make, in the pecuniary way, six hundred
and twenty dollars, and enjoy, at the same time,
the reputation of being great advocate of re-
trenchment. 1t lis too bad that your educa ton
should be paid for, not only while you are in
Congress, but means should be provided for
your further improvement al the expense of the
People, after you have ceased to serve the
PeOple