Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-06-20
KNOWLEDGE FOR THE PEOPLE.
SPEECH OF MR.. BoND.-coNTINUED.

The prolonged sessions of Congress
formed conspicuous chapter in the
book of reform. The committee de-
nounced the usage as "one Of the
most serious evils attending the ma
,ional legislation of the country !"
and, by way of correcting it, recom-
mended "that the compensation of the
members, during the first session OF
each Congress, be reduced to two
dollars from and after the first Monday
in April, if Congress should sit beyond
that time" This was the precept !;
now for the practice. The sessions of
Congress, SO far from being shortened,
have been prolonged-no remedy ap-
Piled and the people of the country
ought to know that the gentleman
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 ar.
btrary manner in which members es-
timated their mileage" This abuse
was ascertained to have been practised
by the reformers themselves and they
have continued the practice without
any restraint. ! will give you, sir, an
Illustration, which may not be thought
inappropriate. In the days of promised
reform, the two Senators from Mis-
souri, differed in poltics-one of them,
the great reformer, Mr.. Benton the
other, Mr.. Barton, who thought the
promised reform a mere humbug. The
first session Of the twentieth Congress
commenced the 3D. of December, 1927,
and ended on the Goth of May, 1928.
These gentlemen severally attended
the whole session: their per diem al
lowance was $l,460 each, being IT'S
DAYS, at SIS per day but for mileage,
reckoning SO for every twenty miles,
Mr.. Barton charged 1896 20, whilst
Mr. Benton charged l,344 &c. MIR.
Barton charged his mileage by the
great mail route, over land but MIR.
Benton, who was railing out and con.
demning all abuses, counted his miles
by all the crooks, and turns, and tor
turous winnings of the Mississippi and
Ohio rivers Mr.. Barton was left at
home, because he did not believe in
The propriety of protesting one thing
and practising another and Mr.. Ben
Ton was retained, to correct abuses,
and carry out the great principles of
his report on Executive patronage.
Ten years have interviewed since the
session of Congress just referred to
the report sleeps unheeded f; and, in
the mean time, Mr.. Benton continues
to count his miles every year by the
way of the river, which has given him
four thousand dollars more than Mr..
Barton felt authorized to charge under
the same law.
Another Precept.-The committee
reported that "the privilege of news
papers to the members ought to be alb
rogated - and that "the practice too
often INDUCED in by the House, of
voting to themselves copies of books"
ought to be discontinued. The priv
leSe and practice continue, and without
restraint.
Precept.-The contingent expenses
Of this House were reported to be ex-
trayagant. During the year 1928, the
last of Mr.. Adams's Administration,
they amounted to $4,000.
Practice. During the year 1886,
the last year of the Jackson reform
Administration, this item was $780,
OoO ! And during the year 1887, being
Inc first year of the successor" who
promised TO " tread in the footsteps of
his lIustrious predecessor" these ex-
penSes are $2I0,0O0! This must be
The magician's way" of working in
The rule Of reductlon-it was certainly
unknown to old Thomas Dilworth.
Precept.-The committee, ofwhich,
! again repeat, the gentleman from
New York (Mr. Cambreleng) was
member, reported that they had OBJ
famed information by which they were
satisfied "that, by a judiclous system
Oh reform, instltuted.b by the Executive
ollcers themselves, at least one. third
OF the (then) present number of clerks
~ the departments m ght be reduced,
with safety to the public interest,""
Practice.-The number of clerks
has not been reduced in any one of the
departments, but, on the contrary.
there has been considerable increase.
l will prove it. The State Depart.
ment, in the year 1928, included the
Patent Office, and the whole number
Of clerks was sixteen the salary and
Compensation of the Secretary and all
his clerks and meSSen uars apoountad n