Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-20
M1METEEMra CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION.
FRIDAY, JANUARY I2.
In SEN AVE

=, "e vi" 10 increase the salary OF the Postmaster
General, was read second time, and taken up for
consider alton. The bill proposes to make the
salary SO 600
MI. Chandler made few remarks as TO the a.
mount OF The Increase. He did not wish TO he
considered as opposing the bill, but be thought the
sum TO be given ought To be deliberated upon II
the gentlemsn who now filled the situation ,vAs q
man oil talent. still it became Congress TO give the
compensation according 10 the Office and ITS duties
ana not merely to the individual; az il was to be
hoped that the situation would ALWAYS be filled
10y person OF equal ability. If it was thought
alter full federation. that the sum Of increase
now proposed was not too large, he should NOT
oppose IL.
MIR. Reed observed that, as he had introduced
the resolution he felt DESTROYS that the report of
Tie COMMITTEE should be heard. The repori was
then read
Mr. johnson 81 Kentucky, observed, that, as his
oPihioh on 'nis Oil were chiefly comprised in the
report which had just been read he could say I; lie
In addition upon the subject. He remarked tina,
the duties and responsibilities of the gentlemen AT
the head OF The Post Office Department. we,. q
qually important with those of the head of auy
other Deparimen, in the Government; and tina, the
individual labor devolving upon that funclionsry
was lar greater than that of any oher He had
discharged his du'y with zeal and application and
IN manner so advantageous To the public, that
II was highly desirable TO place him on The ZANE
footing with the other Heads of Departments
Mr. Reed advocated the bill, and spoke in hie h
terms OF the manner in which the Postmaster Gen
eral performed the duties of his Office
Mr.. Seymour said that The subiec, was IN b;c, ,
new one; and he wished it might be ,ostponed
until The duties OF the Post Master General mich,
De compared with those Of other officers The
Office of the Comptroller OF the Treasury. \.
observed was an artla one; and he thought re
CURED business talent as great, and attainme Mt
greater 10 perform It's duties than did the direction
OF The Post Office Department The Audi,ors
were also paid much less than The Post Maste,
General; and lie thought it would be nro,er IN
compare the functions OF these Officers before de-
cision was made on this bill. No one was more
sensible OF the merits Of the Postmaster Gene,sI
Than he was; but as he had er before given the
subject any considerations he wished little Tim
to form his opiaion upon il. He therefore NOV ed
TO lay The hill upon the table; but Withdrew il AZ
the request of
MIR. Johnson of Kentucky, who opposed this
manner 81 dispo-ing OF the mater. He did not
oeiieve that the gentleman from Vermont intended
by this motion 10 defeat the object of the bill. bu
ne ieis sensible that such would be is effect, If
'he gentleman was prepareito vote aeains, il NJ
this time, MIR. j. would rather urge Immediate ar
tion, than to have il killed by postpon s.aent.
Hir' E"on thought It. would not be candid or
IAN % delay this bill, in order 10 exau,ine H. !.
claims OF other officers. This was .necif;c nro~
posi- Ion and oush, TO be &C ed upon alone with
OUT oeing Inv oiYei IN other questions which were
entirely foreign 10 il. If the gentleman wiseJ tn
increase the salaries OF other officers Mr. r.
'housh, the iairest manner would be TO bring for
ward The proposition 10 the Senate without a.,
iangng this bill. He would take The libn,y ~
say, IN respect 10 the gentleman al the head of
the fo-t ohice department., that he presided will
great ability and was interchangeable in hi, ex.r,ion
And why should not his compensation be eo,aI IN
'ha' OF o'her othcers in similar standing? Was
not he The Head OF Department? Were not b;s
duties ar !uons. Was not his resnoo s;biI;,, 80
great! And why should not his compensation lie
eqai 10 the oiber func!ionafies of the same stand
ing! hese questions had often been asked him :.
ana ne had never been able 10 answer them with
satisfaction to himself or those who put Them. He
thought tue increase of salary propo ed by this hill
ought to be made, on principles of ;usf;ce H.
was not in favor, generally ofraising salaries; but
IN this case, II was only doing wbsf should have
been done before. He hoped therefore. tha, the
gentleman from Vermont w ouid not press his mn
ton.
MIR. Seymour explained. Tie subject was on.
winch ne had not examined; aud he thought. by
comparing the duties aad conversations az o,h.,
pubic ofhcers with those of the Postmaster Gen-
eral, the degree OF increase TO be given could be
hxeG on with greater equity g. satisfaction.
Mr.. Branch said, that, a member of the p :,
Oihse Committee, aud agreeing entirely in IN. re
port, he felt it his duty 10 notice The rem,,l,, -
the gentleman from Vermont lie sboud have
been willing 10 sccede TO The proposition TO defer
the OH hau the reason assigned appeared 10 him
wei founded: But when il was 40 o,InabIy 80
heons, ne could not re rain from opposing IT, lie
considered the Offices meniioDedby that gentleman.
compared with that Of the Postmaster General. a.
mere eScreseences IN time of pence. He was far
from being in favor OF raising salaries in cenersI
caserj he was rather in favor of cutting down Is,f
IN the case OF the Po>imaster General. bis opnio,
was, that It required to be increased TO an eonaI
NY win the compensation received by the other
Heads OF Depat. rents. The dnfies of this De
partment seemed TO hin to incur more responsitil.
Ity than any other: the People were more i,n,ns
dlately dependent upon il and the liberty Of the
country was Intimately concerned in The good reg
ulation OF this important Department II was i'm
possible That man holding Office so impor, ant
should be able to subsist in the present mode of
living on the salary now given TO the pos,master
General II was not to put money in the rocket
OF an individual, that he should vote for this bill.
out TO compensate services of great value TO the
country.
Mr.. Harrison remarked, that the wish 10 com
pare The services a.d compensation o! the Post.
mas CT General with those of the Comptroller of
the treasury, or the Auditors, was not proper. in
asmnch az no such comparison existed. If the
on',ssof the General Post Office Department " ere
TO be compared al all, it must he to iho.e of m,
other Heads OF Departments Whether the nav
to the iunc,ionares who fill those stations was
suihcIrni, he did not know; but il was ADM ted ON
all nands' mat the compensation OF the Postmas.
Ter GENERAL was not sufficient. The bill for This
oJec' was IT was true, lost last wear; bu IL was
not because II had not the approval of rnaioritv
OF me TWO Houses. Other circumstances then ds
ie''sd the Dill But, he hoped The gentleman from
Fsrmon' would not, By pressing his motion, en-
..'nB'e ne on IN ibIs Indirect way He called IL
irdfeci not That ne believed that bis friend from Yer
h.,