Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-02-03

! ket and judged Tor themselves, lily "o
| have been convinced that these OH sers re-
ceive a bare competence. s1-et gentlemen
| look at the state Of the country, what IL -,
| and whatit is to be. It's said that the
present salaries are predicated on war pia-
! ces. What war; Between France and
/ England. Does not a war between the
same nations now exist, and is 1t not pre-
lybable thatarticles of life will rise as high
as they were before
il These, however, are small consiaerat!-
ons. 7 he tribe question IS whether men
!; of talents equal to a discharge OF the most
( important dates under the government,
! will devote them to the service Of their
country, and how long without remnavra-
ton. F.. mvpart acknowledge my sur
prize, that any gentleman should consider
900 dollars too much for talents fitted te
preside over the destiny OF a nation. |
am astonished at such an opinion. Ny
own convictios. is that the present salaries
are inadequate, and | know that IN some
instances the officers are trenching upon
their private fortunes. | am still wiling
to continue the salaries without augnenta-
ton, as tllev were fixed in 1899. Let gen
gentlemen look at the situation Of our Off
GERS and how long they are likely to be
employed. In other gov rnments thereis
other provisions besides salaries. After
receiving liberal compensation, an officer
under ether governments, retlres with a
pension or a peerage. But what is the
fact with regard to the best of our officers
iftheir services are required till they reach
the ape Of three score and ten. If they die
we wear piece OF black Grape round our
arm in CONNIE tnoration of their services.
If the survive their Office, and are able to
provide for themselves, it is well but if
they are not able we make no provision for
them. These sir are the cheapest services
in'the world; the salary is all and they
diewth itor by it. Gentlemen will per-
ceive from its amount, that it is impossible
to lay by farthing for the day Of ADVERSE
ty.
AS to the motion to limit the existence
of the act, it is improper, because, if the
ticles will rise, besides that the deprecla-
ton of money will operate regular aug
mentation. And though the act be unli-
mired by itself, yet it will be Ia the power
IF the present, or the next, or any other
congress to take it into consideration, and
act upon 1t according to their discretion
The Limitation is therefore unnecessary,
and may be vexatious-; for no subject can
be touched so troublesome within doors,
and more calculated to excite feeling out
OF doors.
was unfortunately absent when my re-
vered colleague made his observations On
the amendment | had the honor to intro
duce. understand him as being in favor
Of the principle of the bill, but as meaning
to vote against II on account Of that amend
ment. Not having the discriminating
Judgment of the gentleman, it may be my
misfortune not 10 perceive how this fur
nishes him an argument against the whole
bill, was in the first instance for re-enact-
ing the act of1799 in It's very words but
gentlemen not liking that course, he pro-
position TO that effect was negatived, and
another proposition agreed to. On this
proposition, as its basis, bill was brought
in specifying the salaries given tothe seve-
raj officers. To this bill | offered the a
mendment now objected to. The gentle
man from North Carolina objected to it as
unnecessary. But the house overruled
the objection, and determined that it should
BE- incorporated in the bill. The House
determined that it was proper. Whether
it is proper will result from single consi-
deration. We pass a bill fixing certain sa-
laries. The bill appears by itself to be
new act, fixing new salaries, whereas the
principle, en- whichitis founded, has been
Practised upon ever since the year 1889.