The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-08-02

w We Soiu ioW uay dSos uo'
this thing Of hunting up old journals
was bad business for the whigs.- :
We again say so, and introduce the
following as the evidence:
From the Ohio Statesman.
Mn. MEDARY: | see it stated in some
of the coon papers, as an objection to
the democratic candidate, that James
X. Polk, on certain occasion, voted
against giving the poor of Washington,
thirty cords Of wood. Had this wood
belonged to Mr.. Polk, and he had rel
fused to donate it, the fact Of so voting
would have beena good objection az
gainst him. But the wood belonged
10 the people ofthe United States-it
was paid for with their money, and in
refusing to Sc charitable atofher peo-
ple's expeIl Col. Polk !acted as an
-honesf d 31ordecai BARLEY voted
in favoj 0[ eiIItg His wood, and il his
conscience would allow him to rob one
portion ofthe people to support anoth-
er, why then, know that Mr.. Barley
is much to blame. In parading this
vote before the public eye, the coons
studionsly conceal another voto, on a
similar question, which is necessary to
a right understanding of the matter.
That other vote, will give you.
Eriract from the Journals ofMe House
i.l Of Representatives,, page 24s, session
+ of 1830--3l.
"Mr. Worthington moved the follow
ing resolution:
''Resolved, That the Clerk of this
House is hereby authorized and direc-
ted, to cause thirty cords ofwood to be
delivered to the order Of the Mayor of
Georgetown, for the use the suffering
poor of thattow
"Tnis resolution being read,
"a motion was made by Mr.. Blair
of South Carolina, to amend the sane
striking out all after the word "resolv-
ed" and insert as follows:
"That the Sergeant-at-Arms be reqir-
ed to deduct from the compensation of
members of this House one days pay:
and deliver said sum to the Mayor of
Georgetown, to be applied to the pur-
chase Of fuel for the paupers of that
town, provided, nevertheless, that de-
duction shall be made from the CON-
pensation Of such members only as vote
in favor of this resolution"
"Pending the question on this mo-
ton, the precious question was moved
by Mr.. Storrs, Of N. Y, and being de-
by majority of the members
present.
'sIhe said previous question was put,
VIZ: shall the main question be now
put? and passed in the atiirmative-yeas
1O4, nays 84."
Most of your readers understand
parliamentary trickery sufficiently well
to know tEat the previous question is
generally resorted to for cutting off
obnoxious amendments, by those who
nave not the courage to vote them down
IN in this case it had tie desired effect.
After the House had agreed to sustain
the previous question no vote could be
taken on the amendment OF Mr.. Blair;
md hence we are bound to presume
that al who were opposed to giving
alght dollars OF their own pay for sup
port Of lhe suffering poor, voted to
:ut oil the amendment by the previous
ltestIon.
) among those who voted, under these
for. tile previous ques-
ion were lHoraecdi Barley, Joseph
II. Crane, VIM. Stanberry and Elisha
oiOhio. Among those who
we're willing to vote for taking one
lays pay out oftheir own pockets and
yivingit to the suffering poor Of Georg
,town, were JAM rs X. POLK, Of
Tennessee, Judge Leayitt, and Gov.
Vance, of Ohio.
Had the resolution passed, and had
Ill present voted for it, the amount thus
'aiSed for the relief ofthe suffering poor
would have been near $1,000; a sum
which would have brought warmth
md and comfort to the families OF those
who were represented as being desti-
ute of fuel, without the means to pur-
.hase it. @
After voting against allowing the Ser
to deduct one days pay
rom his account, and apply it to the
purchase of wood, Mr.. Barley then
urns round and votes away property
uught by the people and with their
wn money. Truly be must have a
onscience as elestic as Indian rubber.
le forgot that charity should begin at
ONE, he never would have voted to
i've away that which did not belong
D him, at the same time refusing pit
lnce fromhis ownpocket, to keep 9TH
RS from freezing.
How different the case with James
!. Polk. He was willing to contrib {