The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-06-12


pay tor services IN preparing themselves Tor the work
which was afterwards accomplished as for the work n
sell. They performed services which Were Necessary
resolution OF the senator from Virginia Is not al all too
great, and that il is hardly equal to their claims will
be very glad i the molion TO reconsider The vote will
MI. HUNTER only desire 10 say word or two in
regard 10 what think misunderstanding OF the
not 10 be in when he said III thai he estimated the daily
compensation OF the clerks at twelve doarsihey hav-
ing been engaged something like six months In the pre-
liDary investigation and the settlement OF the accounts
| heard, on former occasion. that Secretary walker
fixed their compensation at 200 year, and that Comp
iroler McCalla fixed il at VI 600 moved The lowest
sum have In my drawer letter from Mr.. Whittesey,
which speaks of The great labor which was required 10
settle this The labor. believe was very great
and believe the sum proposed would be moderate
compensation for it. hope the Senate, from this esti
mony, will pass the claim; but cannot upon what
principle il is that the senator IRON Kentucky considered
the proposed allowance as at the rate OF $l2 day Both
parties, believe. had TO 90 10 Norfolk 10 examine the
books Of the bank in relation to this transaction be-
eve the principle upon which these extra allowances
have been made has been 70 pay them in proportion 10
the salary which the officers received the lime which
they were occupied That Is The principle Of this allow
ance and believe this allowance OF 81 900 would be
less than they received under that
Mr.. UNDERWOOD The facts all very simple.
only propose 10 state them TO the Senate These gente
receive at the rate OF $4,000 year for their saa
es The committee propose 70 allow them al the rate OF
800 per month in additions making Si,200a year. We
thought that quite enough The Time that They were en-
ployed the only question for consideration III we
ascertain that correctly 200 yearhen our amend
ment ough prevail Now, sir, as 10 the time, there
can BE no difficulty about iha The report shows The
and requested parties Interested in the claims TO meet
them on the 9th or 9Th OF October when they would
commence the investigation OF these claims. Before
the time fixed, The report shows that their services
terminated We then have the commencement OF the
services according to the advertisement, and the
termination OF them according TO the report. The
facts being given. there can ne dispute about them
Then the only difficulty that here can be ID this My
vices befofo the day arrived that was fixed in the
advertisement, when they were TO- commence the in
vestgaton, and that they rendered services from the
date Of the adoption Of the resolution. which,
think, about the 9th of August, to the 9Th of
October, | think something like two months. Now,
for the purpose Of ascertaning what services were
rendered between the 9th OF August and the 9th oil Octo
Der. asked one OF the commissioners what had been
done The answer he gave TO me was, that they had
hunted up the papers That was all that could
tain from him done before the time fixed tor the
vesigaton to commence. These claims have been
pending in Congress Tor twenty years; investigation after
investigation has been made: Tor, my friend well
knows, they have been before the committee time after
time, and all the papers in the hands OF old gen.
teman, whose name do not remember now. Sir, it
ii the time had been fixed And have been paying for
services rendered by the officers Of banks. separate
charge entirely, and to make these gentlemen this al
lowance These are the facts of the case.
y Mr. WHIFCOMB. made mistake in the few re-
marks that submitted the other day, that feel bound
10 explain. stated that il was common practice
refer questions 10 these officers TO be settled upon prn
cples oil equity, and that we had had claim for
extra labor, and that il we passths claim will be PIE
ceden to bring forward claims without foundation The
mistake made was this: This matter does not eg-
malely within the province OF these accounting ot
cers-d0es not come within the branch OF duty which
they are called upon TO perform, make this correction
sir, that these officers may have the full credit OF it. Still
must say word about this claim Tor services while
make this 1t Il very easy-l say it with all
respect these ofcerst very easy persons
10 come before Us, and ask that their claims be favor
ably considered, and allowances be made Now should
llaoa
had 10 pay them out oil my pocket, than now do
upon paying them out OF the pockets OF my constituents
stand here 70 guard their interests. stand here their
trustee. They confde their interests TO me, and cannot
violate the double trust reposed 10 me am willing to
pay whatever is merited. but beyond that cannot
90
virtue OF their regular salaries, and 800 month Tor
these services will make about the mentioned
BY my Trend II we allow Them $40 for that lime they
proportion. may be mistaken but | am under that
conviction, and shall vote against the motion
slider will say, before sit down, that il Were dis
posed 10 be liberal at ALL in case like this would be
in this very case know of them personally, and
know him to be faithful and good officer; and The
rely, as merng our favor aud high regard But
is nota matter OF personal favor with and ii
disposed to buy personal favor, would pay for II out
OF my own money.
Now, do mputc any motives OF this kind 10 any
honorable senator here Tor know well that such is
not the case. But am afraid you do not look closely
Il
do all that is right shall vote against reconsidera
uon
Mr. MASON. | wish TO say one word. Now, do
not know understand what the senator from Indiana
proposed when he asked this that who voted
Tor this payment out OF the public money, whether he
may not be governed by considerations personal favor
Personal favor! To whom | brought IN this resolu
lion. Ii at my instance thai the Senate directed the
work 10 be DONE IL the estimate that proposed b
the services OF these gentlemen-servces utterly
connected with other business, as ii they hal been
brought here from abe State oil Indiana Illinois, or
anywhere else Now, SIR, far am concerned. go
far from there being any JeraIty personal consid
eratons will say thai oi these gentlemen who did
this work neyerknew at all, heard OF any manner
except that he was one OF the auditors OF this govern
ment | male his acquaintance incidentally--an ac-
qualnance that has never been renewed since that line
Mr.. VIII fC0MB. Will the senator allow 10 ex
plaiul Most assuredy never intended or had any idea
OF rejecting upon the motives oi the honorable senator
know nothing OF bis personal relations 10 these
was not thinking OF my honorable friend from Virginia
was thinking OF my own vole and that II was dis
gentlemen but that could favorable 10 Others at
The expense Of other friends my own speak with
deeteuce stll must say that. in acf, has been TOO
much the custom heretofore pay high prices for ser.
vices OF this kind. That is not necessary think Il has
been bad system for long time. cheeriuy exoner.
ate my friend fiom Virginia from any such motives.
Mr.. MASON. Ibid not take the matter 10 myself
But reyoriei this resolution and fixed the sum con.
sidered 30 extravagan there was something about the
remark that could not pass A. 10 the other gentle
man--of whom have been speak ing--who took change
OF this work, made bis acquaintance casually during
the last five eight months mention This 10 show
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