The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-14

the particular locally OF New Oneans aIn not able 10
Judge but prefer that the system is be tried in the
FIRST place and II this compensation is found Inadequate
II VIII not command the services OF that class OF men
we eonlempaie--tnen we can raise il higher
pI. bhUUhE. The senator from MASSACHUSETTS says
his object IS 10 get men with hard hands have no OBJ
leclon TO that, but want something more want men
OF hard sense--men OF intellect
Mr.. DAVIS 4 want that too.
Mr.. BROOKE. And assert, without fear OF contradie
lion, that you cannot gel intellectual man, and man
OF science for that do not know how i Is at the
East but al the West you cannot get men competent 10
perform the duties required by this bill for 81 500 Look
al the 44h section OF this bill II requires science ahd
skill il requires OF intellect 10 discriminate among
the vast amount OF facts and statistics that may be sent
to him. hold that il is The worst economy in the world
pay poorly and stlntfy Tor important public services,
and that the best economy IN the world is system OF
lberay IN the payment OF public officers and II this
system is TO be tried fairly lei start fairly; let get
the outset who capable OF understanding the
operations connected with the service they required
10 perform. But il you oiier them only salary of
81 500 per annum, you cannot get such men as you
ought TO have you cannot get men OF skill experience
and SCIENCE competent 10 put this system into operation
The starting point is the most important point Then is
the time when you want OF science, skill, and ex
perience. You canno; tempt them TO leave their ord
nary avocations and forward and engage IN this
service Tor the salary you propose. know very well
you cannot get competent man in the country
10 devote his whole time and attention 10 ms matter
unless you pay him well for il; and know that 81 500
will not pay any wel-qualhed man. You msy get
man for thai sum- perhaps for $1,000, TO act as SUI
pervising inspector the Mississippi and Ohio rivers
but you cannot get man competent TO discharge the
Mr. HALE. ] am rather inclined to 60 with the SEN
aor from Massachusetts because think him emneny a
practical man, and because he has given reason for
keeping down this salary, which, though 1t is lament
able one, nevertheless impeativeand that is, that
il you raise this salary above $500, that moment
there will be scramble for il by incompetent political
partsans and 1t il about high as we can go with any
assurance that we get man that understands his
business. And am further OF the opinion that il
go much higher than that we shall appoint somebody
who will do it altogether by agents--who will stay at
home and appoint somebody else to do the work. |
recoect very important fact that occurred in my
experience few years ago. met gentleman who had
come from the West (he from the East origi-
nally) and he had an idea that had influence IN
Washington, Showing by that that he did not know much
about Washington) But when he wanted 10 sign a
Recommendation to be appointed surveyor general in
one Of the Territories said "do you know any
thing about surveying practically" son, no., said be,
not the least in the world but do expect 10 DO the
work all done o oy bdepus Now 70, hn
get somebody who will take the salary and the work will
be done by deputies; and ! think, i the senator from
Massachusetts, thinks he has fixed these salaries about
the mark, we had better stick to it,
Mr. DAVIS. wish only to say that as far as my ex-
perience goes can go into tie shops where engineers
are TO be found, and think can select enough
in any part of the country who competent, and who
will be very glad to have place OF this description.
Well these men of practical knowledge and as the hon
orable gentleman from Mississippi (Mr BRooKEl ex-
pressed it, OF hard sense, exactly the that want
They have hard hands and hard sense both They are
the most competent men to execute this duty practically
that can be found in the country. wish TO try the ex
pertinent, and ii 81 800 is not enough do not wish
to be nggardly close in this business, but quite
willing the salary should be sufficiently liberal But,
upon consideration of this matter, think 500 is about
far revenues will permit 10 60 this time
We have got various other expenditures We have GOT
10 furnish instruments and pay The travelling expenses
these gentlemen who are supervising engineers Tha,
will amount to a considerable OF money, and think
my friend from Mississippi ought 10 take that into tue
account We require no 10 live IN New Orleans,
and no TO live in New York-ony require that
he shall do the duties assigned to him supervising
spector There 10 be local eng neer IN New York
and in New Oeans and each Of these superntends
that part OF the country which he is located That
all that he is required TO do and the engineer located
over the district of which New Orleans port of entry
may reside at New Orleans, any other place he
chooses if he only does the duty required OF supervising
And whenever he is upon duty which requires travelling
he is TO be paid for it, think safe in trying the
experiment at the sum proposed
The question being taken on the amendment OF Mr..
BROOKE, II was rejected.
MIR. BELL j am not sufficiently acquainted with The
duties Of the Supervising Inspectors prescribed by this
bill, TO form any judgment OF my in regard 10 their
compensation; but would suggest TO the senator from
Massachusetts that the inspector whose duty assigned
at New Orleans, Mobile New York, viii have 10 re-
side al the other Of those places pretty much all
the time. | will take New Orleans, for example and
say nothing about the other places II am correct in
my supposon that the principal part OF the Inspectors
time would necessarily have 10 be spent in that city, if
be discharges his duties with fidelity, 81 500 is, think,
an inadequate salary 10 procure proper person Wheth-
e be regarded engineer engaged in this service
or master OF vessel it is no, enough. The Increased
expense OF living in that city would render il an made.
quaie salary.
Mr.. DAVIS. He may live where he pleases
Mr. BELL. The gentleman suggests that he may live
where he peases II he only discharges his duties Blu,
npprehend that the amount Of business that he has 10 al
tend 10 will be great that he will necessarily have
live at that place will have meet other supern
tendeDis as member of the general board think
therefore. that the salary ought to be higher and
think II ought TO be higher in the district OF New York
because the Inspector will be compelled to spend con
siderable part OF his time in that city, where the expense
OF living u greater than many other places merely
throw out these suggestions without ing any propo-
riiion and with disposition dsananze the general
system which has been ably devised by the senator
from Massachusetts think he will be able to get
adequate supervising inspectors for the New Orleans and
Mobile districts at that compensation
Mi. DAVIS. Mr.. President, there seems 10 be one
great fact that escaped the mind OF the senator from Ten
nessee There are nine supervising inspectors be ap.
you give to the inspector 10 New Orleans salary OF two
thousand dollars then you quabble and contro-
versy between the different inspectors u is dscrmi.
nation that cannot be made without inconvenience | am
quite aware OF the force OF The remark OF the gentleman
that may cost more TO live in New Orleans than does
Ohio river, or upon The lakes But nevertheless in The
arrangement that is TO be made seems TO me that dis
crminaion cannot be made without injury the
had rather, therefore, try the experiment as IL is
MI. BELL. shall not make any motion
The question being taken on concurring in the amend.
ment, II was coDcurred in.
Several further amendments made in committee were
then concurred in.
The next amendment was 10 strike out all after the
word on" in the following section:
That the collector, other chief officer or the customs
shall retain the original certificate of the ms oectors
IN hp