New-York tribune., 1841-04-15


The bill making Appropriations for the Civil and Di?lo-
nic EXPENSES Of the Government for the year 1871 being
under consideration and inc motion pending being to limit
b salaries of Collectors so as not II exceed any the
sum oF g. 600
Mr. PRrsrIss said that he wished say word OF TWO in
explanation and yindcaon of the vote ne should gre re
was that needed than discussion al
that OF the session and ne shoGd not permit i
s.r 10 sav anv thing. especially when much important
business lnaned ndisposed of If circumstances would al
Io.y OF his remaining silent lie would assure the Senate
however that his remarks would oe very brei and that ne
should ;akc up but ! few moments Of their time
M T. laid he should 70: the amendment proposed
and Should also vote 80 all the provisions OF the bl o
character similar the amendment lie should do tis
he might be allowed say. from any motives oi popular
ity bii from deep of duy-tr"n settled coiVH'
,,, he should in tha, way best fulfil the high obligations rest
ing upon him in the high public station he was permitted to
hold He would be understood Gs undertaking. pofi-
larty because he discancd rule OF conduct but ne
was quite humble and unpreendnS an lniVid 10 count
greatly upon H. O: to seek for desire which dd not
arise from the pursuit OF right ends by right means mat
ever popularity that would bring might be as grateful I" m
as 70 anv but he neither coveted nor was afoos VI
anv other Both the amendment, and the provisions "l 'ne
hill TO which ne had alluded rested upon principle he had
always advocated and had often voted for and he could not
allow himself 10 fav all that he had said and all ne ha
done occasions. He had at iorner umc' de-
carcd his doctrines upon the general SUBJECT ana nc ia
uniformly acted in conformity with the doctrines eeclar
What those doctrines would appear from inc tehrNs
he had made 1885 the proposition to increase the 'i
ries OF certain judicial officers o the United Ntes' l' o
which remarks he would take the liberty 10 read O' 'c
occasion referred to he expressed himself TO this ciect
1t is undoubtedly in theory and wise IL practice
to allow such salaries will enable you to coia" cofPe
ten, talents and to fill Office. with able and merorou'
men: and if the reason of the theory formed rule which
was invariably observed III making appointments there would
be some plausible excuse least for the uneonabe extent
TO which you have carried your lbc'y But how Is the
practice Are appointments made with soe VIC" to merits
itl~a,i /. IN h
offices arc bestowed more reward for partisan services
than with any reference merits and qualifications Is there
no. cause apprchcnd that your Judicial ohces winch
ought be filled with the most learned able ana upright men,
withou, regard to party distinction first be earned by
slavsh devotion the party power and by 'aNl'n oor III
the service of partisan warfare The theory or principle
which ought be the rule and guide seems 10 be entirely
lost sight Of be wholly nappcabe TO these degenerate
and evil tiinc..
hold that 1t unjust 10 tax the People by unnecessary
expenditure in any way but expenditure in eNt''asant s9
only IN principle rs we'll as ohcy bu' mas
EVIL and pcricIcuS tendency II hos oiiH i0o !"
the true principles of this Government and the duty We o"e
10 IL but violation OF the duty we owe 20 the States 10
no salaries which will enable officers riot IN luxury or to
live in stvlc of osteniaon and cXayasancc u>'ed 20 te
manners habits and OF the People IN ifr States where
they dwell In establishing the amount 10 be- allowed officers
of this regard ought always to be mad to the sal
aries allowed in the States where the duties of the offices are
o be performed The State Legislatures OF the colle III
heir respective States. and the salaries established b eii
are in general regulated by just regard to economy and TO
what i> reasonably due 10 persons employed IN me Puo
service. :,
II m exceed very considerably the salaries allowed by the
S,ac YOU not only give direct to cNtrava
oaucc bat make the Offices under the General t0vcrnmeh 1t
he principal objects of ambition and create and keep up
among the People natural consequence 81 your poiG-
constant party agitation and violent party excitement
The officers of the General Government become prominent
and active leaders OF parties mnse con>pcuoGsy IN ali the
potic.l conflicts OF the day and, by the means winch her
xroyarau salaries provide them. cnabc II lc are 81
.,plar .,p,p
rirpo>c< In this way the General Government may acquire
and exert commanding and predominant influence IN the
,eccrsau influence no less dangerous TO the independence
Of the States than injurious the character nd best interests
o, the Union
have no disposition dcay any officer OF The lned
States much less 10 judicial officer adequate ard even
liberal compensation for his services but am opposed on
General principles of policy well OF justice. 10 allowing
in any case compensation obviously far beyond what de-
,onded by the and amount of services 10 be performed
or by any other considerations properly aPper'mnns to The
SUBJECT would proceed on the 'rincIplc OF fH@Hf@W ne
rYi and allow officer what he deserves 10 nave
considering the dignity and Responsibilities OF the Office the
labor performed ard the expense DC incurred having
regard always the OF compensation given 10 officers III
anaogou. in the State where ne i otlclatc
Such Mr T. said The opiionS he had uttered upon
this floor quite ;hycc wears since lie had been guided
by them at all tunes, because he thought they were right
and he would repeat that he could i>v contradict
his expressed opinions and recorded votes unless there
and strong circumstances 10 lUsy mn IN dong lie
was not ignorant that thing vas positively night might
be relatively wrong. He knew that might be
such or might have changed, justify, hut
u require opposition measure which ;ns be altogether
right in the abs,r7ct But such circumstances attended
the proposition before the Senate 1t provided regulations
which would be aluy all times 1t res1cd upon general
principles OF fitness and cNpediency which
aay as they were Yesterday any period past and gone
and would remain equally all the transitions of future
time The going Of Administration and the coming
in OF another did not alter change its relations What
Mr. p would do such ander one Administration
he would feel himself bound to do under another
The bill before the Senate having passed the other House
afforded Mr. P. said, favorable opportunity which he