The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-16


examine il who think proper. ] repeat, is not
the compensation most exorbitant2 | am In
favor Of liberal pay for public services, but there
surely should be some limit 10 excess. be-
lieye, if the fees and compensation Of the Off
GERS referred 10 were restricted 10 reasonable
and liberal compensation, instead Of requiring,
as by the bill before US, the appropriation OF 81
800, $4,000 might and ought TO be saved TO indl-
yduals or the United States. As 10 the respon-
slbility Of the present Administration, | viii
only say, If not responsible heretofore, they are
nom responsible, for | have brought the informa-
ton home TO them, and they can neither plead
ignorance nor defend it,
Mr.. Jones (of Virginia, chairman) said, if
the gentleman from Massachusetts, would intro
duce bill 10 correct this, which he conceived to
be an abuse, he would vote for IT, The fees Of
these officers liuctuated, and are at times, small
in amount 1r
Mr.. Reed said il was fair presumption that
their compensation iluctuated But howe No
one knew but the officers themselves, except foss
the year 1899 Report has said, and believe
it, (said Mr.. R.) that the compensation in years
past to the district attorneys of Philadelphia and
New York has been much more than S2S,0O0
annually.
| thank (sad Mr. r. J the honorable chairman
for his disposition and readiness to vote for a
bill 10 reform the abuse complained Of felt
quite sure the honorable chairman would not
attempt 70 justify such abuse when brought dis
uncty 10 his knowledge. ] now call upon him,
as the leading man in this House, and upon the
majority, who alone have the power 10 correct
the admitted evil. What possible hope could
have 10 carry bill through this House that di
rectly touched party and the majority The
honorable chairman, since he has had a seat IN
this House has always been in the majority.
He little knows the difficulty OF efecting any
reform where party or partsans are interested
repeat in such cases, all the minority can do
Is 10 point out the evil, and the majority must
and will be held responsible here and to the
country for the REFORM am ready 10 do all IN
my power, and in the present case have shun-
ned no labor or responsibility.
There are MANY other abuses that call Tor re-
form. The pay of our custom-house officers IS
most unequal and in many cases most unjust.
Some OF our weghers and gaugers, how many
| know not, the last year received about $4,000
each. Ii is an important office, admit, but one
that requires no extraordinary learning or talent
Integrity and honesty and attention 10 business
are the qualifications Their salaries for years
past have been limited to 81 1880, full and ade-
quate compensation, and were one TO resign
with that salary, ten would apply for the Office
Yet the Secretary of the Treasury, almost the
only man who knows these things, and who we
are often told attends to the miaufid OF his at
fairs, in his multfarious and voluminous reports
does not even hint at the subject, and suppose
these men will continue to receive double and
triple compensation until the people demand re-
form in good earnest; but forbear-l will not
further pursue the subject.
1t will be remembered that my colleague (Mr
I.incoln) some DAYS ago complained that the APP
preparation for lighthouses had been diverted
from its object, and applied to the erection or
completion of public buildings in this city
Mr. Jones, chairman, wished to explain, and
said he would inform the gentleman from Mas
sachusetts (Mr. R J that the President had done
nothing but what he had been fully authorized
TO do &C.
Mr.. REED proceeded IL the chairman had
waited a moment he would have perceived my
object For the act named, now neither com
mend nor censure the President. ! introduced
the subject for the purpose of replying 10 some
remarks made respecting lighthouses The
chairman in his explanation referred to the law
requiring an examination and approval by com
missioners before a lighthouse can be erected,
even after law has passed Congress making
an appropriation for the object. Mr. X. obsery-
ed, am well aware of the provision referred TO.
have every reason 10 know il. ! knew 1t well
before the law passed, and had some small agen-
cy IN aiding It's passage through this House.
The provision was introduced IN the Senate by
the honorable Mr.. Davis, Of Massachusetts,
Sir, il was introduced out of abundant caution,
lest, by possibility, some error or mistake might
occur, and lighthouse be erected where ii was
not required. A very mistaken notion prevails
in this House, TO some extent that those inte-
rested in commerce desire and cndeavor TO OBJ
tain as many lighthouses as possible, regardless
OF their utility Nothing can be more erronec"s.
Who 50 deeply interested as they2 Light
houses erected rhen not icanted, or III a trrong
place, would not be merely useless, and a waste
of public money, but lure TO the destruction Of
life and property. | have been led TO notice the
subject in consequence Of the remarks Of the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, (Mr. Petrikin.)
He took occasion to say, in this debate, and III
reply to my colleague, (Mr. Lincoln,) that
great part of the lighthouses had been obtained
for selfish purposes; and, as understand him,
he'intended to implicate members Of Congress,
Further, that the very word lighthouse star
lied him. Sir, as far as know, and fully be
lieve, the gentleman is entirely mistaken i'll
point of fact. II is possible that in some cases
mistakes have arisen, and, TO cilectually avoid
them, the provision referred to was introduced
by the friends OF commerce and lighthouses.
Representing more native seamen than any
man in this House, aud constituents deeply in
terested in navigation and commerce, duty has
required me 10 examine the subject with great
attention and care. have had the happiness
to aid in the passage Of laws for the erection OF
lighthouses from Passamaquoddy 10 New Or
leans, and upon the lakes. | look upon these
acts as among the most useful Of my life.
Are gentlemen aware of the awful and appal-
ling danger TO which seamen are exposed Are -.
they aware of the loss of vessels of life and pro
perry And these most distressing losses oc-
curing, notwithstanding the Improvements III
ship building, the great skill of mariners, and
the protection Of harbors and light houses p
Nav call the attention OF this committee for a
minute 10 the subiect2 We are Informed by a
book called the Sailors Magazine, and believe
il authentic, that during the year 1887, "a ships
and haruucs l35 briggs 23j schooners IL soops