The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-03


STA, and who to France, thought vain look for
beile for far worth Of character could CO.
to look further So much for that Sir, think il is per-
iscily die-the idea absurd-wh all Difference the
honorable from Ohio
But, the remarks of the honorable from Ala
bams and South Carolina spoke my mind the uniform
language which have always heard and that is, that the
amount paid IL VIGOROUSLY inadequate And trust may
state fact which occurred in connexion with Of
foreign ministers, without offending any On
sion of festival of kind in London, in those times
when il the illuminate the houses of foreign
ministers such public OCCASIONS observed that the
house of the American minister only half Al animated
that onehaf the building still dark. The inquiry
arose, what does ths mean Why that .hs cst-
val the house Of american minister is not illuminated
like the rest, And the Illuminating fact then ironpeted
throu the streets of London that the pay afforded this
minister by his economical government woud allow
him to hire whole house and he had the control Of
only half the house, he could illuminate of it.
That fact came to me from friend whb was IN Lon
don at the tne and who Witnessed with the greatest
ucaiion Ii proposed add thousand dollars to the
salary of France eight thousand that of
minister to Great Britain and three thousand to that of
minister 10 Russia, to make the whole increase
sO0not avery alarming sum- considering the resources
of the government and the have disposal
IL be admittedI do say all hands5ut ii
seems to be admitted that the compensation Id VIGOROUSLY
inadequate but gentlemen think this not the time pro-
pose the remedy, and this is the place. will only re-
peat the remark that the very time act is when dis
the necessity of action and If 1t now,
though the lost, 1t will to bring the matter
before the country. would simply add that believe that
whoever has noticed the of humble individual
favor of exavagan expenditures of the public money but
eieve is the poorest kind of economy send rep
resena,ives abroad with such piul compensation they
receive, and without such full compensation proper
respect for government demands.
have proposed this amendment, looking 10 nothing else
than what believe and honor Of country
de nandbelievng this be the proper time but If do
adopt the amendment, is still desirable to have vote
which snail go and call attention to the facts
prefer that taken, and if the be adverse
the France the shall be withdrawn. have pro-
posed this addition in this because only makes the
whole salary equal the ordinary expenses of those
liar stations living there will leave to the Senate 10 vote
upon the proposition.
| Mr.. ALLEN. Mr.. President wish say word.
My friend from Alabama that the effect Of low saa.
hitherto has boen abdge the of the absence of
abroad and to bring them home quick That
ioubedy true, And do question the fact that
ministers sent abroad return far willingly with small
salaries Than they would with large salaries and that hold
Of the strongest favor of small salaries.
During General Washngons administration, the cabinet
made rule that minister should be allowed to remain
abroad than four years The for the rule
that thought better that minister's representing
the country abroad should be long abroad where
they would naturally become less aienated from
their country and must naturally imbite feelings and IDEAS
of the community by which they surrounded That
the given and hence on one OCCASION one o!
m,nster5-Nr Middleton, perhaps, from South Caro-
lnawas recalled very much his surprise, and felt
founded till it explained to him that the rule which the
had adopted did allow longer Absence and that
he allied under the rule.
If yu these salaries enable minister to
reside great spl ndor abroad just proportion the IA
fClttic5 gwen MS desires
will he DO incorporated With things abroad
and he anxious remain. Now, sir, nay friend from
Alabama has had experience, and have had and
think shall have any, upon this subject But his
argument the ground that the style of living
tiai successful transaction Of public business know
that there circumstances which must attend to
make him successful abroad for instance 1t Is necessary
that the minister have direct intercourse with the sovereign
instead of the secretary only For that confer
the grade of minister oenmes when charge daares would
1t gives such importance courts that the
may be admitted to the whereas the
charge would be admitted the Secretary Of State re-
collect how with Commodore Porter when that gal
returned from Constantnope and short time
here He had been Charge but IN that capacity could not
be admitted to the presence of the Grand Sultan ani IN
uence embarrassment IN the ransac
ton of business Well, was proposed-and think my
friend from Missouri knows something about ito give
him higher salary, and to give HIM iu' commission
with a salary Of So 600 recolect Commodore Porter
said, | want to be minister resident with salary
of S6000 because that will accomplish every purpose
It gives me a grade which will admit to direct inter
course with the sovereign, and saves me from the ex
pense and trouble of that style OF living which
should be obliged adopt if took commission of the
first rank-and he spoke like wise man. His commission
put therefore, intermediate rank between the first
and second--ha is to say, minister resident
Now, suppose adopt something like the rule which
referred that of recalling minis at given pc
rod-as for instance, four years For the first year
there outfit of 40 900 and salary of $1,000 and also
for the second and third like salary of 5000; for the
fourth year salary of $4,000 and allowance for return
of $50 making of S4 $50 for four ye
service, being average salary of more man lOJO per
That the state OF the 1t IS double, Wih
fraction what give to the Secretary OF State, who not
only represents the majesty of the at the Court
of ST. James by his instructions mini era but IN all the
world and has large duties to perform at home
be sides He is the second officer in the cabne--he hrs
officer, considering the President as being not exactly OF the
cabinet but rather the cabinet He gets s6,0Oo lie
has support his family of this. He has TO illuminate
his house OF this if an for Iumnat occurs
think had better adhere to the old system The sena
tor from New Hamshire spoke OF my having made refer
encc the mode of increasing the responsibility of those
sent abroad l only made hypothetical suggestion. II
that If the character of ministers abroad be-
low the proper standard the better way elevate to the
proper standard be careful IN the selection oil
our appon The thinks ought to have been
guarded speaking the of those who had
been foreign courts There necessity for that Oh
sevaon for those two persons IN this chamber who have
represented this country abroad illustrations of the fac
that of the highest character in the n,or
who be prevailed upon accept these appontms n
with the present salary There s therefore, necessity
for any attempt elevate the character of the nation by
giving money anything else But am sure that
If republican minister representing republican govern
men to undertake to lndu the expenses of wt
he would be apt be laughed at thar
admired think had better try the old system litt
longer all till get clear of the nat on, debt
Mr.. NILES. an very sorry to see the friends OF TN
incoming Administration commencing system OF rasns
the SHARES of all public Off ;es That this the intention
think the people will fail to discovers and will they
not be apt say in the language Of distinguished sena
tor "ls this which have been invi
tedir am very much alarmed at the change that ha
taken place did vote for the change but do no
grieve it may be for the benefit of the country trus
will be and, with this view, must say that have wit
these several motions for increasing the salaries
public officers with sincere regret sincere IA what
wing party would be able do something for the country
carry measures for the public good but T.