The daily union., 1852-09-07

government. Il was an inclement season. These are
poor men, and think the provision propose is both an
act Of Justice and an act OF charity. think that those
gentlemen who go Tor an increase OF pay 10 the clerks
employed under the government cannot object 10 give
these poor men some little compensation Tor the lme
they then lost
Mr. CLARKE The amendment proposed by the sen
ator from Pennsylvania may be perfectly corect I'D pin
cpes but al this hour conceive that II IS impossible
Tor the Senate TO give II due consideration lhese ave
one or two reasons why consider that this motion
should not be adopted by the Senate without some deo-
Grafton. 1t will be remembered that 10 discussion
which took place some time since ~ ths oody' II was
stated that the workmen who engaged on the exien
sion of the Capitol informed by ADVERTISEMENT pre-
yous 10 the commencement OF the work that they would
be employed until the month OF December; and was
also stated that they employed during the month OF
December, until the weather became severe that il
was necessary 10 discontinue operations.
Ii found that there adefciency in the appro.
pralion for the erection OF these wings and In conse
quence Of the delay that took place before the
funds were placed al the disposal OF the Executive by
Congress- the work mot resumed IN the spring until
mach later than had been anticipated These men
undoubtedly engaged 10 work on the extension OF the
Capitol, and the work during the spring months was
delayed, for the have assigned, and
they may by that have incurred loss OF time
but, sir although is matter OF little Importance TO Inc
United States IN pecunary point oI view wheiher hey
receive little little less, am OF opinion that
there sort OF obligation incurred TO remuneraie
these men during the time they were unemployed. The
advertisement in the public prints, hroug which they
were invited to come here, stated that they would be
employed until tne uiOntn oil anu dsdh
some tme specified in the spring OF this year; bnt
know of no entered into with them by the super
intendent ibe architect which would authorize a
demand the government OF The United States Tor EN-
poymen at an earlier than il possible 10 pass
the appropriations; do know OF any contract which
would authorize them to demand compensation for the
time that they remained unemployed.
That is reason why shall object to the motion OF
the from Pennsy at this moment; but IN
addition to that, have another. understand that there
is something else connected with this transaction winch
4 N thas sarIOu
ate understand that system OF black mailing has been
carried towards the employees which Will enable GER
tain persons, in some manner or shape to avail them
selves of the influence advantage which may be gained
from the support OF other men, understand that con-
tracts existing at this moment which will rebound I'M
mensey the advantage OF those who the contract
And understand that there is singular PROPOSE
ton afoot now. relative to certain portions OF this work.
which would have been much better lett undone. For
instance. look at the arches recently erected -
Mr.. BRODdEAD. rise 10 a question OF order The
amendment which offer is TO pay these each for
thirty days lost time during suspension OF nearly four
months work. The honorable senator from Rhode
whether the walls Of ,he wings of the Capitol sub
santia!y made apprehend that is not the question,
and that the senator Is not IN order.
Mr. CLARKE. beg pardon OF the senator from
Pennsylvania but think he wide of the mark as
the two poles | am speaking to the question.
Mr. BRADBURY. | rise 10 another question OF order,
and that Is, whether this, being strictly private CLAIM
supposns that there is any claim at all can be attached
under the rule, to general appropriation bill.
Mr. CLARKE Well, sir, TO The question of order
raised by The senator from Maine have not word to
say; but give notice that whenever this question is TO
be considered, desire to be heard upon The subject
The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Mr. FooT) The Chair
decides that the amend dment not IN order 1t is not ad-
mlsslble under The rule.
Mr. BRODHEAD The amendment was ruled in order
last evening because II does not propose appro
priaon, bu, merely partial disposition of an appropria
uon already made II come out CT The $500, 900 ap
pioprratd Tor building the WINS OF the Capitol
The PRESIDING OFFICER There can be no dis
cnsslon the question: unless The senator IRON Pennsy
yania appeals from the decision OF the Chair.
MIR BRODHEAD. think my amendment Is in order,
bat will not appeal from The decision OF the Chair.
MIR. RUSK. desire 10 offer an amendment. In page
fy-hve ne eleven, afterthe words .per cent, insert
the following
Sand the same per ad iitional compensation
shall be allowed and paid 70 the clerks and poyees in
the Washington city post Office"
The amendment gives twenty per cent additional pay
TO these employees
The amendment agreed 10.
Mr. RUSk. have another amendment, TO come in on
page eight, alter line one hundred and seventy:
For the Temporary employment Of additional clerks in
the auditors office OF the treasury for the Post Oce DE
paruen to compute the postmasers' commissions
ofpo,tage, $1,000
The amendment was agreed 10.
Mr. RUSK. ! desire TO offer another amendment, to
come in after line one hundred and thlrty-tSo:
sand that tho second auditor OF the Treasury Depart
ment snail be allowed saaryeqna 10 that Of the head
any other bureau commence from aud after his appoint
ment 10 Office"
So that the whole clause will read:
For Of the second auditor nd the clerks
messengers, and assistant messenger In his Office S3
aud that the second auditor of the Treasury Depamen,
shall be allowed salary equal that of the head any
other bureau, commence from and after his appoint
nent TO office"
Mr. HUNTER | think that we have no, time now
70 go into this question OF the deficiency ossalaes
The scale now in existence contains many inequalities
and is subject OF much complaint but we have moi
time to take II up now. We propose TO take il up sys.
temacaly at the next session, and endeavor to form
some general system
Mr. RUSK. do not wish TO detain the Senate, but
,hink that " make very short statement there will
scarcely be a dissenting voice 10 the amendment have
Tor. who Is the object Of this amendment, and can
speak of my own knowledge Of his skill and usefulness
as public officer When he commenced his duties there
was large amount OF business growing OF the Mex.
ican war IN unsettled state in thai office fory-ive
clerks employed them and for some time past the
annual appropriation for the pay of clerks then
S5l057 the business has been all brought up the
number OF clerks has been reduced twenty five ma
KING saving OF some $4,000 $4,000 to the govern.
ment and THIS year the appropriation will probably be
only S3iS00. believe II is the only instance within
my knowledge, 10 the history this OF dim
Inaon, instead OF increase in the expenses of the
office and the number OF clerks employed bat although
ths IS the case the business Of the office is promptly
and well done, as believe every one who has business
connected with testify do hope that there will
De no objection on the part OF the Senate this amend.
ment.
MIR HUNTER. | understand that the business OF thai
department is diminishing, and that the large amount OF
business which accumulated there grew out OF the Mex
ican war However shall not say anything TO dispar.
age the abilities OF the second auditor will merely
say al the Senate should remember that there are other
puohc ohces who ask tor an increase of pay and that