The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-02-22
RETRENCHMENT AT LAST.


Washington, Feb. IA.
Mr.. Arnold's bill, which was acted on in
Committee of the whole House 10 day, has
created much coE.notion here. and there is
much trembling and fear among the very
| large lumber of people in public employ
Tnent here. lest il become a law. 1t pro.
viies That the pay Of members OF Congfes
be reduced TO six dollars day while in ac-
tua attendance, unless absent on account OF
sickness of themselves or families, or by
leave Of the House Of which they are mem.
bers allows six dollars for every twenty
miles, estimated by the most usual route
from the members place of residence, aetu.
ally travelled, but not to exceed in any case
$500; reduces the pay of all officers. Tex.
cept those in the Diplomatic service. the
Commissioner of Pensions, and those whose
emoluments do not exceed $1,000 per an
nam. and those whose salaries are fixed BY
the Consti,u,ion,) those of $4,000 and up
wards. 20 per cent; those between So, 900
and $1,000, l2k per cent.-prov;ded that
none except Diplomatic officers receive
more than $4,000; and reduces the pay of
TIC ANdfJ, NC. ~ per Ccnt.
Some of The provisions of the bill are
most salutary-lhat regulating mileage and
prohibiting payment for iournies never per-
formed, as has been usual, and also that pro.
viding that members shall moi receive pay
while absent on business or pleasure, as is
now the case. There is always an average
OF about thirty or forty members of the
nh g e l.
and often on private business. Many mem.
bers from distance, such as Benton and
others, have been in the habit of receiving
mileage 10 the amount of $1,000 each a, a
session for journies never performed.
These abuses ought to be corrected, though
| do not believe IN Tie expectancy or pro-
prhiy of reducing the pay Of Members and
others as this bill proposes.
Inc bill was taken out OF Committee to-
day, after being somewhat amended. /
presume that it will come up tomorrow,
and it is thought will pass. Idoubt whether
i. will get through The Senate.
In Senate, to-day, the Message of the
President, and the report of the Secretary of
the Treasury yesterday laid before the
House was received. In addition 10 what
was mentioned in my last, the Secretary
recommends the imposition of duty on tea
and coffee, and some other articles.
The bill to authorize the appointment Of
the Assistant Postmaster General by the
President and Senate was passed.
MIR. Berrien gave notice of his intention
to move the consideration Of tho Bankrupt
Law on Monday next.
Mr.. McDufie's resolutions on the Tariff,
and on The general policy of Government,
with Mr.. Evans's substitute, again came I'D.
Mr.. Evans, at some length, and with his
usual financial ability and clearness, sup.
ported his substitute resolutions, and replied
10 Mr.. McDuffie. disproving his assertions
in regard TO the Tariti-to its unequal ope.
ration, &c. and arguing that instead of our
commerce being reduced BY that law, facts
proved directly the reverse--that the only
requisite for our prosperity was the estab.
lishment of safe and uniform currency, re.
deemable in every part of The Union, and
the scrupulous fulflEent OF their obligations
by the States, and by the General Govern
ment, assigning as prominent cause ofthe |
present embarrassments of the country the
destruction Of the United States Bank and
the various subsequent experiments on the
currency by the Loco-foco party during |
their twelve years reign, whose financial
quackery and political profgacy he exposed. |
lie agreed with Mr.. Med. as to The pol. |
icy OF re,reachment and reform in the yari. |
Gus departments Of Government, but took a |
more favorable view oflhe present and pros. |
peclive state of The Treasury.
The special order-Mr. Arnold's ceie.
oraled bill "No. 54s," for the reduction of
The pay of Members of Congress and the
officers of Government, generally, came up.
motion Of Mr.. Arnold 10 terminate de.
bate IN Committee at three o'clock TO. day
prevailed. The House went into Commit.
ee-about two hours remaining 10 the ex-
'lration of The allotted lime for debate. A
scene oil unusual disorder and confusion fol.
owed, the remainder Of the time being
nearly consumed with questions of order,
mock MISUNDERSTANDING muc., amuse.
nent-of which Mr.. Wise's. allowing Sen.
ltors one ration Of beef per day sceH cooked,
md Mr.. Arnold's 10 except the "Corporal's
Iuard ffon the proposed reduction, are
pecimens.
Mr.. Gushing (lhe only speaker) a. some
ength opposed the bill. on the ground of the
mproprlety after having enjoyed during the
congress the presen; compensation of redu.
ing II for their SUCCESSORS, and on other