The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-04-16

them and the treasures Of the people,
, This class of officers found themselves
, bemmed in by the meshes of the law, anc
took counsel together, saying, 'Iet U:
break their cords assunder and cast away
their cords from u.s." This they did, and
like Sampson in The city of GAIA, they
have carried away E'the doors Of The gate,
bar and ALL" W. expect 10 show
that they have opened, as it were n sub.
terranean passage under the treasury fol
future use, as occasion shall require
That this is substantially true, will be
shown by an examination Of the act oil
l845, which was virtually framed by the
Clerks, and that their Interests were not
forgotten in that bill, will, we think, fully
appear. The delinquent Clerks, on be-
ing called upon by the States Attorney to
refund the money in their hands, belong
ing TO the State, began to concentrate their
operations, to be relieved of a law, whose
energies, while it continued, would annu-
ally compel them to account for all public
funds.
The law Of 1912 must be repealed land
TO prepare The way for the restoration OF
The old law, with its accommodating pro-
visions, which suffered ''every man to do
what was right in his own eyes, THE Audi;.
or was to be hastily disposed Of, for "dead
men tell no Iales." 1t is important 10 the
tax-paying community, to know The meth
cd, by which State debtors caa convert the
public funds 10 their W use, and yet es>
cape without accounting. This they
should know, that they may be able, if
they can, to maintain their rights, and if
not, to surrender them at discretion. Soon
after the delinquent Clerks had been called
upon by the States Aitorn eys 10 settle, for
their delinquencics, one of the number ad-
dressed A, SpauIding, Esq Of Montpelier,
and inquired. if he knew of any man, in
that place, who would do Tor an Audilor2
He was answered in the affirmative, but
said Mr.. S-,they are of our party and
not wings. The reply was, that that cir
cumstance would be no objection, bu, urg-
ed the necessity OF a change Of men and
measures. O.her circumstances could be
uamed, indicating a determination 10 be
rid of the law and its executor, but this is
not otherwise important than as showing
an awowed purpose TO accomplish an OBJ
ject-the effect OF which was 10 secure i'm
punity, while retaining public funds in
their hands, without the necessity of &C.
counting. After the Legislature had con-
vened, in October last, an influence ad-
verse TO the law of 1912, was soon appar>
rent. On the second day of the session, a
resolution was introduced to 60 into joint
assembly on The next day, for the choice
of an Auditor, and that officer was elected
the Sd day of the session.; whereas for %
years before, that officer was never elected
till the 2nd, and ot.ener not till the Sd
week of the session. 1t seems necessary
10 remark, thai it is not known, that the
Auditor had been charged with a want Of
courtesy, or faithfulness in the discharge
OF the duties Of this responsible office
But all im~pedimenis must be removed, and
that part OF the law Of 1912, which was
designed TO secure nothing but a just and
fair accounting for all public funds must
be repealed. The reason was :his-tha,
law could not be faithfully executed with
out compelling every officer and citizen Of
the State 10 disgorge all public funds in
his hands, which by law he was not per.
mitted 10 retain;-and as that law had
been devised and reported TO the Legisla-
lure, by the Auditor, i'll all its essential
provisions, both the law and its executor
must give place, together, 10 others, better
adapted to the peculiar views OF the delin>
quent Clerks.
"Hinc ~lachrymae; hine cauSa dOlOrum."
The above remarks seemed necessary,
to illustrate the purpose and action of the
delinquent Clerks. Ia attendance on the
Legislature were not less than half the
Clerks in the State, including,
one, who was a member of the House, and
probably having common interests and
.sympathies On the subject Of the act OF
1912. 1t is known, that the bill, which
aGaa.nal.- nnlliGn Cd and euiscnratnd IhnIlact