Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-07-13

to nothing more 'at this time than to lay
the foundation of system, to be follow
ed up and completed hereafter by the
people.
The prolonged session of Congress
formed conspicuous chapter in the
book of reform-the committee denoun-
ced the usage as 'one of the most serious
evils attending the national Legislation
of the country; and, by way Of correct
ing it, recommended, that the compen.
sation of the members, during the first
session of each Congress, be reduced to
two dollars per day from and after the
first Monday in April, if Congress should
sit beyond that time This was the
precept now for the practice. The
session of Congress, so far from being
shortened, have been prolonged, no
remedy applied, and the people of the
country ought to know that the gentle
man from New York { Mr. Cambreleng)
so early as March, 1880, when an at
tempt was made to carry into effect the
remedy proposed in the report of the
committee of which he was member,
by reducing the pay of members, did
himself actually resist and vote against
the measure.
The report alleged that abuses had
taken place from the various and arbi-
trary manner in which members estima-
ted their mileage This abuse was as
certained to have been practised by the
reformers themselves; and they have
continued the practice without any re-
straint. will give you, sir, an ilustra-
ton, which may not be thought inappro-
pirate. In the days OF promised reform,
the two Senators from the State of Mis-
souri, differed in politics; one of them
the great reformer, Mr. Benton; the
other, Mr. Barton, who thought the
promised reform was mere humbug.
The first session Of the twentieth Con
gress commenced the Sd of December,
1927 and ended on the 26 of Hay, 1923.
These gentlemen severally attended the
whole session; their per diem allowance
was 81 400 each, being 175 days, at
So per day; but for mileage, reckoning
SO for every 90 miles, Mr. Barton
charged 1899 90, whilst Mr. Benton
charged 81 ,344 &C. Mr Barton charged
his mileage by the great mail route, over
land; but Mr. Benton, who was railing
out and condemning all abuses, counted
his miles by all the crooks and turns
and tortuous windings of the Mississip.
pi and Ohio rivers! Mr. Barton was
left at home because he did not believe
in the propriety of protesting one thing
and practising another; Mr. Benton was
retained to correct abuses and carry out
the great principles of his report on Elk.
ecutive patronage. Ten years have in
tervened since the session Of Congress
just referred to. The report sleeps un-
needed And, in the mean time, Mr.
Benton continues to count his miles
every year by the way Of the river -
which has given him upwards of $4,000
more than Mr. Barton felt authorized to
charge under the same law.
Another prcccpt.-The committee re-
ported that the privilege of newspapers
to the members ought to be abrogated; :
and that the practice too often INDUCED
in by the House of voting to themselves
copies of books ought to be discontin-
ued. The privilege and practice con-
tinue, and without restraint.
Precept.-The contingent expenses
of this House were reported to be ex-
travagant. During the year 1923, the
last of Mr. Adams administration, they
amounted to $4,000.
Practice.-During the year 1896, the
last year of the Jackson reform admin
istration, this item was 100000 And
during the year 1887, being the first year
of the successor, who promised, to
tread in the footsteps of his illustrious
predecessor these expenses are S24O,-
600! This must be the magician
way of working in the rule of reduction
it was certainly unknown to old Thos.
Dilworth.
Prccept.-The committee, of which, l
again repeat, the gentleman from New
York (Mr CambreIeng) was member,
reported that they had obtained informa-
ton by which they were satisfied that
by a judicious system of reform, institu-
ted by the Executive officers themselves
at least one third of the Chem present
number of clerks in the departments
might be reduced with safety to the pub.
lie interest,"
Practice.--The number of clerks has
not been reduced in any one of the de-
partments, but, on the contrary, there
has been considerable increase. Twill
prove it. The State Department, in the
year 1898, included the Patent Office