Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-20

A communication was read from the Treasury u
Department, giving list Of the Clerks in that
Department, and the details of expenditure for the
rear past.
A communication was read from the War De-
patment, transmitting a report of the Commission
ers. appointed during the last session OF Congress-
TO conclude treaties with the Chickasaw aud Choc-
taw Indians; which ordered to be printed.
MIR. Barton, from the Committee on Public |
Lands, reported the bill to authorize the sale of
Morsv'n lands in Ohio. without amendment; also.
tho bill from the House for the relief OF John De-
lawder, without amendment.
MIR. Reed. from the Committee on Private Land
Claims. reported bill for the relief Polly Bell
alias Polly Coll;sns, and a bill for the relief OF
Thomas Gulledge; which were read.
Mr.. King from the Committee 10 which Tie sub
ject was referred, reported the bill to authorize
those who had Ielnqiished lands to re- purchase
At certain rates. with amendments; which were
read, and agreed to. and the bill aud amendment
ordered 10 be printed.
The engrossed I'LL TO increase the salary of the
Postmaster General read third time and, on
the question teing put, Shall this bill pass.
Mr.. Cobb called for the yeas and nays.
Mr. Randolph then rose. and said, that, as lie
could mol vote for this bill. he thought /. incum-
bent upon him TO assign for his dissent;
although he perfectly aware that it was the
duty of the proposes of the bill TO assign reasons
for its passage. Sir, said Mr.. II. this bill is in
itself an innovationit is taking up sngly, the
motion of Senator, the salary of one officer of
the Government; and passing upon it, without TAX
ing review OF the salaries and duties of the
whole. Ia the mode of bringing i, forward, il is
exccptionable but il is still more exc-ptionabe
IN priucirle. Mr.. President, this is a question
which ought to be decided without the slightest
aiusion to the incumbent OF The Office / shall,
therefore, abstain entirely from advering to
him II lock TO the "fice TO the duty--to the
. rnIu apf. A.
POSTMASTER General has been likened TO others, 10
which, IN my opinion, il bears no likeness it has
oeen Ekened 10 the office of the Secretary Of
State but the comparison is in every respect ex-
ceptIonab'e : for you will recollec, that, to that
office, the safety and honor of the country are
conhied. will not examine the other Offices to
which il has been liksned; but in its nature, the
Office OF the Post Master Geacra is purely minis,e-
rialis lower In the scale than those OF the other
Heads oil Departments. Sir, shall say nothing OF
the salaries OF the other officers. Whether or no,
they are too high, is not the subject of consi-
deration - but am clearly of opinion that W are
about 10 take a step -iEsdyertent, was going In
say bu, will say inexpedient We are about
to make addition of two thousand dollars &, the
salary of the Post Master General. Sir the
additional two thousand dollars would be
considered large and adequate compensa-
ton for any Office within tho-e States. Have the
Senate considered well this measure? Have they
considered that, BY this bill they will place the
compensation of the Pos, Master General one
thousand dollar. above that OF the Vice President
OF the United States, aud one thousand dollars
above that Of the Chief Justice of the Uni
ted State, Mr.. President, YOU know and
we all kaoH, that there never was a time more
ihanspicious than the present 10 an increase Of
public expenditure Those who have seen Fl. 10
remark upon my public life ill, l believe allow
that wasne pennrons or par. imonious TO
hician. always wished TO compensate public
servants always considered the laborer worthy
Oh Ills hIei but in this case, consider the hire
fully worthy OF line laborer. Sir, was there ever
time when money was more scarce when we 81 ere
more admoni he'd TO the practice of econrmv ar
when the aspect OF our affairs was more unproris
ing! Sir, ir the part o! the country from which
you and come, there is a dearih which treads IN
on The No is OF famine is distress and depres-
sion partial or limited. These reasons, and many
others that could enumerate, induce me to oppos.
the passage OF this bill; and move that it be re-
committed.
MIR. Johnson OF Kentucky said, he hoped such
motion would no, be pre- .sed, but, that the bill
would be met directly; when Mr.. II lndo!ph with
drew his motion, and moved that the bill be laid
upon The table He, however, Withdrew this mo-
ton al the requcs, of
Mr.. Johnson, of Kentucky, who said ,ha, he
would submit the question TO the Honorable GER
ueman' whether he would press any motion which
should prevent the Senators from PASSING unoo
this bill! On Friday the bill had after copside
raole discussion been received ia rorably and he
tNir. did not then consider il necessary 10 on
INTO The arguments In is favor in crteuso ii.
'nouSh, however, that there reason ,vhy II
should not go forward regularly and stand or fall
IN IFS proper progress lie would ask what better
mode there could he of testing the sentiments nj
each member ot The Senate, than the question
upnn ITS passage? The Honorable eea,Icm,n
would lie hoped, do him the Justice 10 believe ,b,,
ne would not have brought forward this bill when
.nat gentleman MAS not prepared to act upon if
ne was prepared 10 act upon il; for I've wac ready
20 'o'e against II; and so, said Mr. j. am nr.
pared to vote In ts favor. If the bill were ~ he
iaid upon the table he coGld call il ID a, am,
'Ine and then take the sentiment of the SENATE an
'hat the motion would only defer the decision.
which he, Mr.. } wished 10 have made at once
The gentleman had said that they were rsssing
upon the salary of one officer without survcvino
'he rest But he considered that there was az GOOD
reason TO pass upon II singly 10 do il collectively
Hau any gentleman proposed joining a propositjon
10 examine into the claim of other ru,,Iic officers
TO an increase of salary, there could have been
no objection 10 the motion
Inc Committee could not have objected had
t"e uu'y OF SUCH an investigation been committed
TO them But, Sir, raid ATr. J. allow me one vol
as to the duties of The Office Of Postmaster tsns
raj. am not disposed to go ino comparison of
The duties oil that officer with those of the Sec,s
tsTy OF STATE or OF The Treasury: I will mali. M
invIdIous or improper comparisons. But. Sir !
we have no Office more important to the interss, |
OF The PEOPLE, and to the good & safety of the Ma
'ion The People feel the effects of the we'll or IN
OF this Office more than of all tho -
Their departments put together.
The officer il more directly reaponsibJe 10 a.,
People than any other public functionsry; and I
am disposed 10 pay him according to his services |
ana The importance OF his station. Between one ,rd