The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-07-14

II having falsely been alleged by unscrubu-
lous Democrats that MIR. Wheeler voted for and
took the Z" back pay" in 1873, the Ogdensburg
Journal puts at rest all such charges by quot
ing from the st. Lawrence Republican Of Sept.
9, 1873, an article in which occurs the following
ga great deal OF doubt seems to exist in the
public mind az to the legal effect Of the action
OF the few members OF Congress who have
colorably or in fact, returned their portion of
the back.pay steal 10 the Treasury OF the
nited States. The statement is almost daily
made in the newspapers that not single men,
Der has placed his pay beyond his reach and
ultimate reclamation. Inc people OF this Con-
gresslonal District are concerned directly only
with the action OF their own representatives.
In order to full understanding OF that we have
taken steps TO obtain from the Treasury De-
partment information as TO the particular man
ner and legal effect OF Mr.. Wheelers disposi-
ton Of his portion of the back pay, and we write
with copies OF the Treasury record before u.s.
Congress adjourned on the 4th day OF March
last. After the Appropriation bill which gave
the back pay was signed and certi6ad to the
Secretary Of the Treasury the question was
raised by the Comptroller OF that department
that the appropriation was not available until
the commencement OF the fiscal year-July 1,
1878. This question was held under advise
ment several days when it was decided that
the fund was Immediately available. Pending
the decision OF this question Mr.. Wheeler went
to Virginia, where he renamed several days.
and then returned Immediately home. On bis
way. and in the CITY of New York, he wrote
the following letter. which fully explains itself
NEw-YoRK, March 49, 1878.
Sir The law passed by the late Congress for
increased compensation to members OF the
House OF Representatives and other officials
gives me for the last two years. after specified
deduction. 4,4S2 40. As this measure was %.
posed by my vote in ali Its stages, il does not
comport with my views OF consistency or de.
sire, therefore, without giving publicity to the
act, to return il to the Treasury, which I do by
inclosng herewith five-twenty bonds OF the
United States purchased with said funds and
assigned by me to you for the sole purpose OF
cancellation. as follows, viz:
Bonds and brokers' commission
on purchase, si,412 70
Balance 81 81
Total, S4.4s2 4C
The balance is RENTED by my check herewith.
Please acknowledge receipt and obllge.
Respectfully yours W. A. WHEELER
Hon. WILLIAM A. RICHARDSON, Secretary OF
the Treasury Washington, ID. Z.
To this the Secretary replied as follows:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, ID. G. March %, 1873.
Sir: Your letter OF the 10Th inst, inclosino
coupon bonds of the act Of June 80. 1854
amounting to $500, and currency draft for
$67 81, has been received. The proceeds OF
bonds and draft have been covered into tn,
General Treasury Of the United States. in ac.
cordance with your wishes. Very respectfully
W. A. RICHARDSON, Secretary.
Hon. WA. WHEELER, Malone, Franklin Co.,
N. Y.
II will be seen from the above that there car
be no question as to the extmguishment Of the
legal title to tbs bsck-pay' IN Mr. Wheeler
case. He drew the money and expended IL for
United States bonds, which be assigned to the
secretary OF. the Treasury for the sole purpose
Of cancellation ! and the Secretary says that he
has complied with Mr.. Wheeler's wishes. Tn.
less. therefore, the bonds can be resurrected
! from ashes, and Mr.. Wheeler's assignment re.
voked, 1t would seem that his back-pay Is pretty
effectually disposed OF. We conclude with the
statement, of the truth OF which we have Off.
cial evidence before as, that Mr.. Wheeler was
the first man to adopt this means OF refundlne
to the Treasury what ought never 10 have bsen,
] under color of'law, taken from it,"