The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-03-02
Tmentp=Strth Congress.
IN SENATE.
SECOND SESSIONS

in SENATE.
MONDAY, March ], 1871 rening Session.
The Senate met at five o'clock pursuant to adjourn
ment.
The bill making appropriation for the civil and di-
pomatic expenses of the Government was taken up
in Committee of the Whole, the questions pending
being the amendments proposed by the Committee on
Finance to reduce the salaries and fees of public Off
GERS and agents-such as collectors Of the customs,
malshals, district attorneys, postmasters, &c. DC.
Mr.. WRIGHT explained the object of the COM
mttee in offering the amendments
MIR. SMITH, of Indiana, was opposed to consider
ing the subject of the reduction Of salaries in APP
preparation bll-a bill that all admitted to he absolute
ly necessary to be speedily passed He clearly Of
the opinion that the whole subject of the salaries of
the officers should undergo revision and in many
cases, reduction; but be had no hesitation in saying
that this not the proper time and occasion to 60
into the subject. II work of time, and would
require due deliberation and much consideration; it
was work for committee, who could obtain a full
knowledge of the whole subject When the work is
done should be well done. II should do ample and
equal justice to the officers ia the different sections of
the Union. What would be full compensation for
services to be rendered at one point, might not be SO
if to be performed at another The Senate was near
the close of the session. and he believed that any at
tempt TO regulate the matter in the bill before it could
only be partial at best and might be unjust and UNI
equal lie had, therefore, brought his mind TO the
conclusion that the whole ubect had better be stricken
from the BILL and left TO be taken up and probed tho
bottom at the next session; for he sincerely de-
sirous of seeing reform and economy characterize
every department of the Government He hoped
these terms would not be, they have been in
past empty sounds. 1t was not to the measure,
bu, the time and occasion that it introduced that
he objected Ii was not for him TO reconcile the con-
sisency Of those who have for the last twelve years
slept on the salaries they stand, and who at
this ask for their reductions with this he had
nothing to do. He sincere in his wishes the
subject and at the first fair opportunity he should 90
with those who desired to the whole matter judci-
ously arranged, As TO the amendment of the com
mtee, he thought it proper enough, but he was OPP
posed to the consideration of the subject at all al this
time. He would not dctain the Senate, as he merely
rose to express an opinion on single point
Mr.. WRIGHT said he would suggest to the Sc
nator from Indiana to let the amendments first be act
ed on which were submitted by the committee, and
after TINT motion could he made to strike out
Mr.. PHELPS said the bill before them was merely
appropriation bill and every Senator see the
necessity that existed for its passage TO meet the
rent expenses of the Government. Here, however,
within lortyeight hours Of the close Of The session.
proposition to connect with the reduction of
salaries. II had been said that some salaries too
large. lie was not prepared to say that such not
the fact nay, he believed in that it was
true; but in his opinion it not the time to act
them. The whole subject would require careful reyi-
sion, and much caution in framing bill to meet
the subject it ought TO be met. The only practical
thing to pass the appropriation bill and to reserve
these matters until the next session, when they might
all be acted upon with view to the benefit of the
munity.
| Mr.. BENTON thought it utterly wrong that high
fees perqustes should be permitted in this country
He ready TO give fair compensation TO public
agents but he secuted the idea OF giving opportunities
to make fortunes Ii bringing these agents in
conflict with the purity Of elections. There was he
said influence enough in the honors of office, without
permitting such immense TO BE- derived from them
See the effect such a state Of things would have
the sordld and mercenary. lie, NJ one look TO the
Government of the Uuitcd States TO nmass wealth.
Those who wanted fortunes would find avenues
enough open 20 individual enterprise and industry He
said such lucrative places he alluded to had ten
dency 10 corrupt the public agents. Il was among
those high offices that all the deiacaions had taken
place. In the West the salaries were limited to So
600 and he was for carrying out the principle until
all the offices were reduced. Here the remarks Of
Mr.. b. took wide and dcsnltory range He glanced
at prescription, and maintained that the past Admin
lsraton had been tolerant in the State of Missouri,
and read the names Of number of officers in the
city Of St Louis and in the Indian Department who
had been retained, although nooriously against the
patty IN power.
| Mr. PHELPS thought il very extraordinary that
gentleman should just then think OF proposition to
reduce expenses; this spirit o! economy and icrcnch
meni had come them all at once, Corporal
Trim fell in love. He should like them 10 tell him
why these conscientious scruplcs about salaries had
slept for the last twelve years while they in the
hSctnhcFCy@ rs btlurty Ht utsirfu ut pro-
per time TO go into full review of the whole subject
to do so would require time than could be
bestowed
Mr.. WALKER thought the bill defective IL the
stTuciion he put upon was correct IF he nnder
stood H. the Il SIS of the Mashsls would he limited
5000 lfsuch were the fact, man in the State of
Mississippi could have held for the last three years
would be able 10 hold for the next three 10
That officer in the discharge of his duties, had to pay
out in some instances, $4,000 and he would conse
qucntly lose the difference between 5000 and $780,
600 lie mus therefore propose such amendment
world ohvate that difficulty
Mr. HENDERSON said, il the object Of the bill
was TO give those officers &c eco il n, word nea was
inserted il might cover all the ground
Mr. SEWER thought the hill had better stand as
itdId lie thought his friend from New York Mir
WRiGHr) knew more about finance than he dil about
Marshals The contract between the Marshals and
his deputies private one, aud the Marshal plea
scd be nigh, make the whole State his deputies the
mileage allowed hal better be left as il stood
Mr. PHELPS said, with a view TO give gentlemen
time 10 vote undcrstand'ngly these matters, he
would move the Senate adjourn,