The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-02

II III seems tDdI CURING tulS pctOu lie was
only paid the expenses Of the Office and the suru, OF
$3.50, or something like that, and he now asks that
i may be made up to the maximum of $1,000. This
the posipastes is 10 be paid that maximum, others
may IN Justice ask the same OF the large post offices
very lew receive that but here Office in which
the large sum OF 900 has been received from box rents
and smaller SUN from commission We'll, there was
no evidence IN the from which it woad appear that
there was any feirenchment but seems that there was
some addition during that perodrather small sum- TO
he sure--oaly about saO0 or $500, believe.
We held that there was no special reason in this
Tor setting aside the general law and giving this post
the regular income which the law has provided for him.
suppose myself IN all these the policy OF the law
is to reqiife poetnastee cdaluei their ocs with u
dence and economy, they want to save the Maximum
This postmaster has been pretty literally paid He has
celved some 70 4oo-nearly Sa5O0a year. for something
that s uaees scs z ns
KIND would be very bad in It's effect.
Mr. RllSk. This case il clear case Of equity. All
that good deal of the expense and difficulty that
there, owing TO the peculiar condition Of that post office,
VIII agree that this Is an equitable case The Post
master General gees its Justice. The department in
formed him that they could not allow it under the law as
il existed but they would suspend the payment Under
these circumstances presents clear OF equity to
my mind. He is entitled to il by equity, if not by law,
it exists, and the Post Office Department has
knowledged the claim far to suspend requiring
payment OF Mr. De Buys for some five or six years /
do not know this would be bad precedent for do
not appreend that there any other officers in the Uni
| ted States situated he
Mr.; BRIGHT. # this bill is to pass, (and hope
1t will no,,) should be made general in its provisions;
and, should not be confined in its operation to the
post office branch OF the public service. The reason
assigned Tor giving the postmaster at New Orleans the
amount stated in the bill is, that circumstances have
ranped since the passage OF the law regulating the fees
and emolumeis of that officer which have greatly reduced
The amount OF his compensation This is not good reason
TO my mind be good for aiordng the relief
asked Tor IN this Case extend 1t upon the principle
OF justice 10 the receivers and registers OF land offices
small ired salary. The value and profits OF these
offices result entirely from the recepts on the sale of
lands. Now by act of Congress-, passed in 1917.
issue 10 every soldier who has served the regular
the late war with Mexico warrant, authorizing him to
| enter any OF the public lands of the United States
subject to entry, and this without the payment of any
| additional fee to the receiver register do not
say that there is anything wrong in this; indeed,
would not have the soldier pay any tax for this
privilege and above what he now pays but here is
directly in point SO far regards the decrease of
the per of the registers and receivers in all the
land offices Of the country These warrants have taken
the place OF money many instances and thereby les
sencd the profits of the offices. Now, shall il be said
because Justice and sound policy required Congress to do
an act the effect of which has been to cut down the
emoumens OF certain officers, that therefore the incum
bens have claim upon the national treasury for what
IT can be shown they would have made had no such
law passed. 1t would be equally right just, proper and
expeden in the of the land Office branch of our
service, and doubtless in many other instances that |
shall not attempt 10 enumerate, would be in the
now before The principle Is wrong-all wrong You
may single OUT once IN While, particular case WHeTe
equity would seem to require departure from general
principles but much better, indeed the part Of wis
dom to let such case pass nnrenedied than by positive
legislative establish precedent that opens the
door Of the spnblic that Is called
into the employ Of the governtleHts WIG
Mr.. JOHNSON Of Louisiana think the remarks of
the gentleman not applicable at all in this 1t is
special case. II do not mistake the honorable sena
tor it passed this body years ago at the recommen
dation of the General Post Office Department Now as
the money is in the hands of Mr. De Buys and he has
had it number of years, it being considered just and
equitable by the General Post Office Department that he
should retain the money, and they recommend to the
government to pass this bill, presume shall pass it
No gentleman who has ever been to New Orleans and
who knows the difference between that and other cities
with respect to the high prices of everything the high sal
aries allowed in all offices in that country, will consider
this high salary. Officers there get than double
what they receive in any other city in the Union. The
Judge of the supreme court receives $50 900 per and
the other Judges SIS 900 Clerks sometimes from
81, 500 5000 This is owing to the unhealthness of
the climate The postmaster received the box rents, but
law passed taking that from him. and in consequence
of the high expenses and high rents, and the high
pense attending the operations at New Organs his sal
AIRY reduced considerably below what had been
allowed HIM before that time. 1t was considered by
the Department just and equitable claim, and they al
lowed him to retain the money, and recommended the bill
to Congress 1t is fair case and has been 80 considered
by the Postmaster General
The question being then taken upon ordering the bill
to a third reading, division the ayes H.
So the bill was rejected
cApToRs OF THE FRIGATE PHILADELPHIA.
Mr.. YULEE moved that the previour orders be post
poned for he purpose of taking up the bill for the relief
of the captors OF the frgae Philadelphia
| Mr.. JOHNSON of Louisiana remarked that the hour
had arrived for taking up the private calendar.
Mr.. ArCHISON. This is a private bill
| Mr.. YULEE. Twill state the grounds upon which
make this motion. They these, sir: The bill up
early period OF the session, and after some discus
son passed over, to enable the senator from Ala
bama to obtain information upon the subject He
has obtained it; and il seems to me the bill should
be allowed TO resume the position which II occupied at
! the early period of the session.
The question being taken upon Mr. YULEEs motion,
! 1t was agreed To-
The Senate accordingly in committee of the whole,
proceeded to the consideration of said bill.
| Mr.. YULEE turning towards Mr.. DN) | believe
that there ntimation that there is to be some
anne ndment TO the bill
MIR DIX said he had not the papers with him from
which he proposed to show the Senate the proprety of
amendment which he had designed to move. He
would, however, state the amendment, and his
for Offering it. lie wished to Introduce provision in the
bill for the relief of the nieces of Commodore Stephen De-
time, his children. One of them the widow
of MAJOR Twiggs, who, it would be recoecled lost
her husband and OF her in the with Next
CO. tie proposed to introduce an amendment providing
that the nieces OF Commodore Decatur should, for the
purposes of this BILL be deemed his children and share
an ne distribution OF the bounty proposed to be given BY
the bull Mr. ID. expressed his regret at not having the
evidence in his possession, which he desired to bring be
lore the Seale showing the propney OF this provision
Mr.. (ULEE. There is no objection TO that amend
ment, believe.
! MIR. KING suggested the necessity Of naming specf
cay the individuals proposed to be benefited by the
amendment He also expressed the opinion that these
adopted children of Commodore Decatur should be made
heirs as lar regarded the distribution OF this fund
i Mr.. fULEE. | would suggest stDis course, If the