The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-18

olhces aad how these things have been settled IL may
DC That the Judiciary Committee have obtained this in
formation, and can already unicae il TO the Senate
Ii so, should be very happy hear how these reports
have been made and how these settlements have TAX
place ana how these restrictions embraced in the act of
1912, have actually been imposed upon these gentlemen
IL strikes Inc that unli we how this oi ls42 has
been executed, we had better LEI The law remain
Tor # we cannot restrict these gentlemen down To
! $4,000 year by the act OF 1912, with all the
machinery put into operation requiring them to
port account OF their fees and emoluments, and
| 10 have their accounts audited at the Treasury De-
partment, ii will be utterly impossible for TO restrict
them by the operation OF this bill Sir the operations OF
this bill will get clear of the restriction which the act OF
loA2 attempted to impose upon them by the PROVISIONS
OF that act you perceive that these officers confirmed
minister OF the county, and s not go beyond that But
by the passage oi this act which we have under
sderaton you relieve them from the restriction imposed
by the act of lS42. You give tariff OF fees and you
allow The officer receive The whofe OF the fees accord
ing to that tariff and il they go up $780, 900 he pockets
the excess without any restriction al all. That Is the
effect OF your legislation by this bill
In regard to the tariff of fees, | only say that il
many instances ii is very great in my State
Now believe that my clerk who is clerk Tor both The
GREAT and district court OF the United States never has
| received very exorbapt allowance But this bill, II
passes, will have the effect Of enlaging the fees in my
sate as think in many particulars and will have the
very effect OF getting clear OF the restrictions imposed
by the act OF 1872 And If in the southern district OF
New York, If in New Orleans, the other large dis
trlcs where there much business TO be transacted
the part OF the clerks, marshas and attorneys OF the
United States II IN these districts, where there was great
complain in 1912 that the fees allowed exorbant,
get clear OF that restriction imposed that act, they
will receive perhaps their ten twenty thousand
dollars per annum, they did before there any such
restriction made. think, then, had better see as
have already Remarked what report has been made, how
accounts have been settled, what the Secretary
the Treasury has done, and how il is that gentlemen
have occasion TO rise in their places in the Senate al this
ne nowith standing the act of 1912, and speak OF the
enormous sums which these marshas, attorneys, and
clerks deriving from their offices 1t is wonaertu to
me- confess how they have got beyond the limit |, is
something do not understand.
Mr.. WALKER do not know how 1t is, Mr., Pfesi-
dent that these officers receive large sums II is al
legged they receive but thing very clear to my
mud, aud that IS, that if the compensation which they
receive which they seek 10 have allowed is great
has represented here the Offices ought to be sepa
rated Why, sir, notwithstanding the aci OF 1912, which
has been brought notice by the senator from Ken
lucky, heasd II remarked yesterday, without seeming
excite any SURPRISE that accounts were yet pending be-
fore the proper departments amounting to $4,000 Tor one
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Il, I,surprised me, and wondered
how such things could be-
Mr. WALKER Well, since my attention has been
called to the subject which The senator has brought
10 notice. ii does surprising TO me, and much
more do tee surprised since hearing that of 1912
read that there should be effort made in this chamber
the part OF senators to incorporate into this bill such
provision the senator from louisiana, Mr. DowNs,1
offered yesterday, which to authorize the auditing
and allowing OF these accounts, exorbtan they
IN favor OF officers OF Georgia
! MIR. BEkRlEN. VIII the senator from Wisconsin
allow to ask what il is he has reference 10 that was
pending before the Observation-Disclosures II was the
account OF the clerk which is the subject now under dis
cussion!
Mr. WALKER 1t was the district attorney, believe,
that was spoken OF yesterday 80
! Mr. BERRiEN. The senator from Wisconsin will
perfectly Iecoiecl that that claim made by the
district attorney Tor extraordinary service submitted to
] the department for adjustment.
Now, with respect 10 the amendment proposed by the
| The PRESIDENT. The senator IRON Wisconsin has
not concluded his remarks
! MIR. BERRlEN | beg pardon | thought he had
concluded
| Mr.. WALKER With regari 10 the other observation
of The senator from Kentucky, that should acquire in
formation upon this subject before acting, would say
that il strikes as carrying with il force.
friend 10 this bill am anxious 10 see pass, and should
regret exceedingly 10 see II defeated for believe there
are great evils existing IN the system now pracllsed
which plainly by the members OF the Judi
clary Committee than by other members of the Senate
generally and do hope and trGs they will be successful
IN toe passage of their bill But thee points in the
bill al the time which hope II will not be deemed
improper the part others to seek amend, and this
is one OF them. | urge IT with no strenuousness, but
simply present II or the consideration OF the Senate. and
particularly the consideration oil the Committee
the judiciary, because know the attention OF the mem
bers OF that committee has been particularly direct
ed 10 this subject For while some seem to censure The
Judiciary Committee Tor its peuinaclty and opposition 10
amendments for one do not participate IN that feeling
know well that in respect total this matter OF judiciary
reform, one man take up the subject and make up
system in his mind which coherent IN all its parts in
such that others cannot at once perceive It's
merits II is but natural that the members OF the judi
have msured with SO much care and labor adopted with
out material alteration. But here IS point which does
not interfere to with that system which they
have gotten up, and bring II to the attention OF the
Senate, that they may pass upon H. Now, may be
wrongly informed regard 10 this matter OF compensation
in the District OF Columbia and other district courts o the
United States. II may be that such exorbtant com
pensaon charged much less may II be the case that
sach has ever been received But believe somewhat
regard to what has been communicated to metha the
same ndvdual here in the District OF Columbia holds the
office of clerk Of the district and OF the criminal
courts, and some other clerkshp besdes-and ii the
compensation of neither officer overruns the OF
So o0O it would that there would not be violation
Of the act of 1912 The clerk OF the district court comes
in with his account the clerk OF the criminal court
in with his and the clerk of the circuit, other
three accounts thus brought in separately, when in
fact they the accounts OF single othcer and they
amount perhaps to something like $4,000.
MIR. UNDERWOOD II is nothing like that sum.
Mr.. WALKER. | am aware there is act which
limits the compensation where the offices held by the
individual and perhaps that rs what the senator al
ludes TO in making the correction.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Ii does no, go mp TO $4,000.
The cerkship of the circuit court is limited to $500.
and the other So, ,500 that it is less than $1,000
when you add them together.
Mr. WALKER Well, taking it, then, in that point Of
view, there be injury done under tins amendment
by making the provision that the clerkshp shall be sepa
rated when either one Of them shall exceed Sc 900 Ii
II should not be the fact that this great compensation
is charged and received, cannot any real objection
to the adoption OF the amendment.
Mr. GWtN Mr.. President, think II is perfectly ap-
that this bill cannot be acted upon during this day
II have amendment-one that | consider OF i'm