Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1848-02-02

touching the expenditure of the 3 $1,000, appro-
priated last year for raising volunteers for the
Mexican war. Mr.. Spencer said:--
Mr.. Speaker, the people have light to know
what is done with their money This resolu-
ton is introduced for the purpose of obtaining
such knowledge. 1t would be recoilected, that
on the 18th instant, introduced this resolution
before the House, That at the moment of its
introduction, member of the majority arose and
stated that the Senate had passed similar res
oluton and therefore it was unnecessary for
this House to act upon the matter. That, up
on these remarks, another member of the ma
Jority Instantly arose and moved to lay the res
olntion upon the table, which motion was car
RED 10y majority of the House. Thus, sup
pressing all explanation or reasons, which the
mover of the resolution might have offered tor
its adoption. Now, SAID Mr. s., if this were
an absurd proposition, or, if it contained any
reflection upon this House,or any member there
of; or, If it were Of partizan character, got up
merely forparty purposes: this course of pro-
ceeding would furnish no just ground of com
f'~-1"' thO motctty OD tic 4UOf. Dui
the resolution ~ net obnoxious to any such char
ges. True, it came from one who by the party
designations of the day, is included in power
less minority of this House,-without however,
any consultation or preconcertcd purpose or de-
sign with those with whom, the mover is politi-
cally associated. Notwithstanding these cir
cu,nstances, said Mr.. s. feel no disposition
to engender angry feelings, by any severity of
retort, oil accounted what might appear unpar-
liamentary or discourteous on the part of the
majority here. If the purpose be to suppress
the information sought for, | feel it my duty to
resist ruch purpose.
The Executive of this State in his Annual
Message, informs that the sum of ten thousand
dollars was appropriated at the last session of
the Legislature, and placed at the discretion of
the then Governor of the State, to be used to
raise volunteer regiment for theAIexlcan war:
But that no account Of its disbursement was at
bis command--that, when the account was rem
dered, he would transmit it TO the Legislature.
At an early day of this session, a bill was pas
sed by the majority here granting five thousand
dollars more for a ike purpose. The people, it
seems, are to be freely taxed; let us be as free
to inform them how their money is used.
There are, said Mr. s., rumors in circulation
respecting the use and disposition of this mon
ey, which, for the character ofthis State, should
be freely Investigated. shall not now, and
here, publish to the world these rumors, nor
give them name and character, bat that rumors
of degrading chargcter,are in circulation touch
IN the disposition Of this money is well known
fact. Ao,l srpeal to the majority in this
House. who represe.,t :he dominant party IN this
State, if ii be not their dury &c ferret oat this
matter and let the guit.if guilt theirs be,Fes' on
the person or party upon whom it should justly
fa.I. This House, more significantly than the
Senate, may be said to hold the purse-strings
of the Treasury. We are, or should be, the es-
pecial guardians of Ihe public money. Beng
the more numerous branch of the Legislature,
our relations and responsibilities are intimate
and direct to the people. And the people have
a right to look to us for vigiant ana watchful
regard 10 their interests. Let us require then.
strict account of the public agents, of the mo
ney placed in their hands 1t will be borne in
mind, said AR. s., that this money is raised to
aid in carrying on the Mexican war; and that,
upon the propriety Of that war, there is a diff
ference OF opinion among the taxpsying people.
Yet, aN have to pay their share Of the money.
This consideration detracts nothing from the
propreiy of fail investigation aud develope-
ment. IL is said that this money faay be re-
iEnbursed to the State, by the general govern
ulent. Suppose this to be the case, are not our
| constituents part of the general government
and liable as such, for proportionate share
| of the expenses thereof! Dove not know. too,
| pended. in conformity to existing provisions of
1 the United States Laws, on the subject, not a
| Collar of il will be reimbursed to us2 Will IL
&c said that this is small sum, ard therefore,
no enquiry is necessary Hon. members should
not deceive themselves by such reasoning.-
| Our constituents may bear taxation 10 heavy
! amount without complaint, when the money
raised, is fora worthy purpose ard properly aP-
| piled aud expended But when they discover a
| msap plicaton or a repreheusible use OF their
money, on the part of their public agents--they
will not--they ought net, passively to submit
TO it. 1t is not so much The amount of the tax,
which they are called pay, as it is the question
of right and justice involved in the NATTER
| Witness, said Mr.. s. the complaints--the an
gry feelings engendered in the community, by
the collection of this military poll tax. When
/ you hear old Revolutionary soldiers, aged men,
| peace-loving Quakers, and others, who have
long since fully discharged to the country all the
military service which the law may have requi-
| red of them, speak of tins miserable effort to