The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-02-10


should be otherwise, perhaps, 10 grea. extent but in
other places, il must be as II u.
Before dismiss this branch Of the subject, wish to
call the gentleman's attention 10 one fact hold IN my
hand an estimate by the collectors oil Boston, New York,
Philadelphia and Baltimore, for the expenses OF their off,
for the next fiscal year They propose 70 increase the
expenditures, in those four custom houses, $2l2 $40.
They propose curta the revenue marine very largely,
but 10 increase their other expenditures TO the amount
and ~ s l a sw AZ aop
estimates but with my personal respect Tor him. prefer
TO rely upon the restriction OF law rather than his STERN
ness. , 800,
violent assault has been made upon the ground take
in favor of reducing the salaries under the general gov
eminent to scale which will put them upon an equality
as 10 emeumen with those received in the private puf
suits Of life and under the State governments and me
gentleman from Massachusetts Mr.. WINTHROP speaks
OF my zeal in favor OF economy as new born one NO
one knows better than the gentleman that until this ses
sion, have been in position to require that
should take this matter especially in charge he has
served with since have been in Congress; and
II he will run back in his memory, or II my humble
course has escaped HMM which event he ought not to
have spoken until he informed himse-f he will look to
my recorded votes he will find tina, have have voted as
exravagant appropriations matter what Their oDJect
may have been. Whatever may be my course IN private
e s9s Ssso q not
spirit OF parsimony but because think il accords with
the spirit Of republican institutions AS to the other
many many years. The high salaries under this gov
ernment compared with those under the States are COR
uptng in their influence; they turn all eyes 70 TINS led
ments and lead directly TO consolidation. They convert
political contests into struggles for place. instead OF prn
cples, and add violence TO them know OF no reform
more important than bringing down the salaries under
this government level with those received under the
States and in private life Do this. and the eternal
struggle for the spoils will And Congress VIII
sustain me, this great reform shall be made.
am told that collectors, naval officers, surveyors &c,
who give the requisite bonds and are competent q
the stations could moi be had for less salaries than they
now receive. Sir do not believe it. The treasurer OF
the United States gives heavy bonds, and has upon me-
shoulders great responsibility His salary Is $soao
How is with executors guardians, hduciares OF every
characer' How is il with cashiers OF banks! How is
il with the collector Of Philadelphia am told he was
cashier Of bank and had e give heavy pG ancs
not Be that as il may know that it is not the size Of
the salary received, but the character Of the which
require no great capacity in the incumbent. Any good
business man is capable Of filling any OF them and
plenty Of such can be readily obtained at smaliermuch
smaller-saaries than are now paid.
II gentlemen holding such offices receive no more than
enough, why such competition for them! why, In
country like this, where the avenues OF employment are
wide open to all are men SO anxious 70 quit private
pursuits for governmental employment, with all OF Its
uncertainties, and its ups and downs! How is It that
they can bear and willingly bear. such heavy assess SIS
under present systems what are the recommendations
Of applicants for Office Is il that they are honest faith
full, capable. Far from it. hold in my hand Phila
dephi paper containing article. which is fair speci-
men of the sort OF recommendations which are urged in
favor Of applicants for Office 1t reads thus;
ave sincerely hope in common with all native Ameri-
cans Tia, Gsnea Peter sken smith will the rejection
Mr. Lewis be appointed collector Of the port Of Paade
pa na q s .1saa sviess ss rsnaasa IN bringing
abo. he nonimation Of General Taylor and for the labor
and MONEY he expended in hepi"s 10 secure ne secs0" Of me
| II does not stop here. The editor continues:
"TPe demand General Smi,h's appointment right
It, Mr. Lewis of service y the administration
than ffh wheel would be wagm and the sooner he
the county Of Philadelphia but the State Of Pennsyl
| vania
ship OF Philadelphia That it is SO fierce only proves
that the prize the shape OF salary and patronage is too
great. know nothing of it, and want to know nothing
| OF IT, But very much suspect from the character OIL
General Smiths Recommendation that Mr. Lewis is the
better man OF the two. But know nothing about IT.
What is the character OF the recommendation! That
1 General Smith has fine business capacesl That ne
will be acceptable to the commercial community oil Phil
adephia' Oh no! He rendered signal service IN effect
ing the nomination Of General Taylor and spent his
money in procuring his election He belongs to that
miserable faction, the native American party which we
are told holds the balance OF power 10 Pennsylvania;
and therefore his appointment demanded olr' know
that newspapers generally come out thus openly;
but the recommendations thus proposed are those most
relied upon and they show the demoalzng tendency OF
The gentleman from New York MR. BRooKsl has
been kind enough lecture to the way by which
! can acquire national reputation. Ne advises me TO
rise above party, and pursue course OF lbefalIy which
will gain for me plaudts through the land. This is his
4 idea not his language II that gentleman or anybody
else supposes that will be beguiled from my duty by
such considerations, deferred from il by denuncia
ton and detraction, they have greatly msudged my
character and exhibit ignorance OF my humble history
have resisted those things heretofore, and shall do II
in the future know the penalty where man treads
the plain path OF Duty when II does not lead 10 the d.
rection which power could desire But shall tread il fear
lessy II will meet with the appreciation OF the party to
which belonged the constituents represent-and
| above all OF my own conscience. II il meets with the
appreciation Of others shall rejoice at H. but does not
shall not repne But why admonish me TO rise above
parlyi Does not the gentleman know that, in the very
movement 10 take up this bill in the Committee OF the
Whole in preference to other matters and claiming the
floor in preference TO my friend from Mississippi, Mr.
BRows.l | verged upon dscouresy TO him TO whom
should reluctant be Does he not know
that my pernacy yesterday TO stop the debate upon
this BILL in order that the suspense OF the Treasury De-
partment might be relieved resisted the wishes OF
friends who desired to debate it. He knows all this
Why then, lecture about rising above personal and
party consderatisnsi lnmy opening remarks made no
reference party topics They have been introduced by
the other side And II they have not allured into
party debate only proves how unnecessary have been
the admonitons OF the gentleman: have no wish TO
embarass the administration but shall not cater to Its
extravaganza
The committee next proceeded TO vote on various
amendments proposed, upon which five minutes speeches
(under the rule) were made by the thereof OF
these amendments, that OF Mr.. VISToS only agreed
to.
At4, D. m the committee arose; and the chairman
mr. PoTrERl having reported that the committee had
come to no conclusion on the bill,
MEMBER moved that when the House adjourns, il
will adjourn to meet on Monday next; and then,
n. hal opoo ods mad