The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-07-22
REMARKS OF MR.. PEARCE.
OF RHODE ISLAND.
HOUSE REPR ESENTATIVES-


MAY %,
On The Bill from The Senate, entitled ".4,,
Ret Increasing The terms ofhe Judicial
Courts otthe United States, for the South
ern District of.Nu0 York, and adding to
The compensation ofsererai District judy.
Is ofhe United States"
Mr.. SroRRs, Of New York, having sug-
gestod the propriety of so far agreeing to
the Report of the Judiciary Committee of
the House, as to increase the terms Of the
Judicial Courts Of the United States for
the Southern District of New York, and
add To the compensation of the Judge OF
that District, and having assigned his rea
sons for the same
Mr.. PEARCE rose, and asked the Speak
er whether, on the motion OF the gentleman
from New York, it was proper for him to
90 into a consideration Of the merits ofthe
bill, as the same passed the Senate; and
being informed by the Chair that by the
rates Of the House it would not be, then
observed that he regretted he was obliged
to move to strike out the endcting clause.
as without a motion of that kind, he could
not make the remarks he was anxious to
he could do Justice to all whom he repres
cnted: thatcertalnly one Of his constituents
had some interest in the bill as il passed
the Senate, and he thought many Of them
would be in favor Of it, as the House re-.
ceived il, that, in reference TO himself. he
was willing to declare that he was in favor
of that bill, or no legislation on the subject
Of the compensation Of the several District
Judges at this time, that of all legislation
he mostly deprecated that which was o.
dious, or would be so considered; disc rim
mating and partial; that, limited as his ex
perience was, he had q suflic tent share to
convince him that it was better to do moth
ing than 10 do what would be generally &C
knowledged unjust. and he was prepared
10 say, that il the bill as il came from the
Senate could not pass, he was opposed TO
the passage Of any bill. And it would be
his endeavor to prevent the passage OF any:
that hwas so far an administration man, ESQ
far friend of retrenchment and reform. as
to be opposed to high salaries in any case
and was consequently opposed to any in
crease Of the expenditures Of the nation
that could be well avoided; and certainly
would not increase the salary ofone or two
men, when, by so doing, we show the neg
! lect Of the nation Of others, and injustice
towards thcm-those officers the nation
who receive salaries, but seldom ask for
an increase Of compensation; and when
they do, they generally ask for il on gener
al, and not partial grounds. Increase the
compensation Of two Of these Judges
wi,hou, reference to the claims Of Others
1t will hereafter be thought that our legis
lation has been for the whole, and MANY
years will roll around before the attention
of the nation will be again directed TO the
SUBJECT az ALL do not. said Mr.. T.. think
we ought frequently to be iroub'el viii
applications on the part Of the officers oi
| the government, for an increase of their
compensation; but. said he. when they dc
apply, and when We do agree 10 hear their
oPpsea,lons, lc, Us attempt something like