Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1852-07-29
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THE PUBLIC PLUMBER.

The audaciols and unprncipled manner in which tho
public treasury pundsred by the representatives of
the people Justly rebiked in the following article from
the Baltimore Clippers
NoS-ENFoRcEMENT OF LAw.-Our Washington cor
respondent complains Of the enforcement corpora
ton laws by the city authorities but they have high
example for this neglcct no less than the National
Legislature This fact disclosed by Senator Hunter
in remarks which he made Monday last, the
objection of tic House the amendment Of the Senate
by which the sum of 700 was placed in the Def
cheney BILL to pay constructive mileage Of Senator's &c
Mr. Hunter appears have been indignant al this inter
ference by the House with the affairs of Senator'S and
intimatcs thataihc Senate might retaliate He said
81 will further take occasion to say here, that think
it would be dangerous for either House interfere with
the personal conduct Of members OF the other Suppose
sir that disposed carry such war could
we not retaliate There is law, believe, which for
bids any member from receiving his pay except on
those days on which he is actually in attendance. We
know very well that this rule is not Observed and sup
pose that with this knowledge, we were to move to
down the appropriation for their pay upon the plea
that much Of ii was for time when they were absent
frcm duty, and therefore not entitled under the law
would they not have to complain OF having
violated that courtesy which due from one branch Of
the Government TO another. Surely they would think
such Of procedure part very unbecoming
So, there is law which prohibits members Of Con-
gress from receiving their per diem excepting when in
ACTUAL ATTENDANCE their duties And yet this law has
been constantly Violated by whom il would be
insult address excepting by the title of honorable
Members make Just and proper law bearing upon
themselves bat utterly disregard IL But they not
so lenient charitable other Violations of law Nor
will they, whilst thus illegally thrasting their own
hands into tho public parse tolerate another who may
undertake 10 follow their example. Nay, the honest
creditor of Government is compelled stand at the
door, cap in hand, begging for justice year after year.
without being regarded whilst honorable Senators
pocketng their thousands for ouFnics performed
and members of both houses receiving their per
diem contrary law. And this called justice under
a republican sysemcf government An old soldier, who
rskcd his life in defeace Of his country has gratuty
Of forty ef land bestowed upon him for his service,
from which he realize after much trouble, about
thirty doarsand this is called liberality; whilst
Senator takes thousands from the treasury for construc
tive jannt home and back sgain through the air.
Notwithstanding these abuses open and palpablc,
the people appear be in profound slumbefand
only occasionally aroused to shout 'party, party, and
again fall sleep whilst politicians continue TO pnader
them cf their substance and abuse their Confidence
These are the blessings which we enjoy; but are not
what representatives have promised.
i there redress Cor such csils How long viii the
American People permit their Representatives not only
to consume their time and money in political discussions
/, the neglect o public business bat 20 pocket thoa
sands upon thousands for ournies and for duties
performeds