Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-06-24
CONGR ESS.
EYTR.E SESSION..
HuusE Or KErREsENIA1fvEs.
FRIDAY, June IS.

OF the Committee, that Gen. Harrison
had not drawn one cent of his salary as
President. 1t was customary for the
President 10 draw his salary monthly.
Mr.. Gilmer had no objection TO relley-
ing the widow OF the late President; but
he bad no idea Of being generous at the
expense Of the nation. Let gentlemen be
liberal with their own private funds. he
was not governed by precedents-and his
vote should not be given so as to prejudice
the rights Of the people. lie hoped that
the advocates Of this bill would place 1t
in such light, that all nearly all could
vote for il. He should vote for q sum to
indemnify the estate for the expenses in
cured by the late President IN discharg-
ing the public service.
lie thought thar it would be better 10
place il upon that ground, than 10 make i
bounty 10 one person for the services OF
another, as it would be il appropriated as
gratuity TO Mrs. Harrison. lie should
vote liberal allowance for indemnity for
expenses. Ii was not reward for milf
tary or civil services; il it was so con-
sidcred by him he should be opposed to
Liz. 1t was a sheer act OF justice which
would reflect honour on the country.
Mr.. Pope was in favor Of the appropria-
ton. Gen. Harrison had been called by
large majority of his fellow citizens TO
preside over the destnies of this country,
and he could not, if he would, decline the
responsible station to which he was raised,
for he acted on the principle laid down by
the lamented Lowndes, that it was an Of
flee winch should not besought nor declin-
ed bv any individual. The inquiry should
be when its Executive duties commenced.
Was it not when he accepted the office !
and he would ask, if, after Gen. Harrison
had given up his private business, had re-
moved to this city, had spent his time in
forming his Cabinet, and he had died on
the third of March, this nation would not
feel bound 10 indemnify his estate for
these expenses Of time and mony! He
looked upon it as an act of justice.
Mr.. Payne was opposed to the appro-
priation on the ground of generosity. 1t
was not the right of this House to apply
the public funds to such purpos' s. If
1t was an appeal TO their private means,
they had the right to yield to their gener.
Gus impulses or not, as they chose.
Mr.. Bidlack was not here this day as
representative of party orofa State,
but as n representative Of the whole
Union. He had been in hopes when this
question was first proposed that it would
have passed SUB Sieatio. He had no con.
stitutional scrupies, and he should vote
for he appropriation, and he believed ii
would be in accordance with the feelings
of his constituents, who, he was proud to
say, were high and magnanimous peo-
pie.
He considered it only in two points, as
to its expedcncy and consttutionallty.
AS to the expediency he put it upon the
ground that by pursuing niggardly
course we put it out of the power ofsome
Cncinnatus hereafter to accept the Office.
We ought to show to the world that it is
not the genius of the American people to
desire to see the descendants OF their Chief
Magistrate begging bread. AS to its con.
stitutionalty, he should not scrutnise ii
too closely. lie believed that if the spirits
Of the departed fathers Of the Consttu-
ton were looking down upon US, they
would smile upon this act, which goes to
falsify the received opinion that "repub
lies are always ungrateiul."
Mr.. Sergeant did not believe that any
thing like party spirit had actualed any
member of the committee which reported
this bill, and he regretted that any thing
like party spri: had been exhibited on
this floor. He was in favor Of setting this
precedent, and he would sooner see this
country stripped Of all its powers confer
red by the constitution, than that she
should fail to present herself before the
world as humane and charitable nation.
But we had presidents enough 10 warrant
this appropriation. The gentleman re-
ferrad to the appropriation for the inhabl-
tants of Venezuela. Twenty thousand
dollars had been appropriated by Con-
gress to relieve the citizens of Alexandria:
after having suffered by fire. The gen
tleman quoted many preccdens 10 sho"
that Congress had the constitutional right
to pass this appropriation and he urged
that, in strict equity, the family OF Gen
Harrison were entitled to the amount of
the whole four years salary.
Mr.. Underwood wished to make few
remarks to set himself right, in the vote
he should give with probably very
small minority. His heart was on one
side, and his Judgment on the other. He
would probably be led to vote for the bill,
if the promptings Of his heart were attend
cd 10. But he had tutored and controlled
his Judgment. He had laid a rule Of &C.
ton in all cases Of this kind. He object
ed to such legislation, because It was re-
troactive. This was an example set with
the high and mighty OF THIS nation, and
he hoped that the people of this country
would examine the subject.
He was opposed 10 setting such pre-
cedent, for he had never seen retrograde
movement from such principle as that
now proposed. The law had fixed rea-
sonabe and proper compensation for the
office, and the late President had re.
ceived, or was entitled TO receive it.
Where would this lead Are we to say
that the law had not allowed enough for
the services of this officer If so, what
limit would be set for the remuneration Of
officers as to time or grade. 1t was
known that jefferson, the immortal author
Of the Declaration of Independence, had