The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-12

an annual salary, or IN temporary POSITIONS In tue
Executive and Legislative Departments OF the Gov.
eminent in Washington. But as it was impossi.
bic, in the construction Of the amendment tn leave
any thing remaining of the original proposition,
the CHAIRMAN decided that it was, IN effect,
Mr.. GENTRY acquiesced in the decision. and
therefore introduced a new clause, combining the
increase of compensation to those whose salaries
respectively do not exceed twelve and fifteen hun
dred dollars per annum; in the first, twenty per
cent. additional, and in the latter hheen to take
effect from the commencement Of the last fiscal
year.
Mr.. FOWLER inquired whether it was designed
to pay from year ago last July.
Mr.. GENTRY replied, this was the intention
and would be the effect OF the amendment, without
which efficient relief could not be rendered.
Mr.. DEAN moved the same pruviso which was
offered by him yesterday, precludipg those who
discharge the duties OF more than one office, &c.
from receiving the benefit Of the section und,
sideration; and
This was agreed to-ayes "a, noes 81.
REToRM-cLAssIFicATloN OF s-ooMPENsA.
TON TO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
Mr.. BRENTON moved a substitute for the Sec
ton under consideration, proposing that after the
fourth of March, 1853, it shall be the duty of each
Of the heads Of the Departments TO arrange the
clerks in three scvera! classes, according to the
nature Of the business in which they are engaged,
at salaries of s 200, S 500, and y 600 they
not to remain in Office longer than twelve ycars
Also, that the salaries of members of Congress shall
be two thousand dollars per aununi, and the mile
age allowance twenty cents per mile, the distance
to be computed BY a straight line. Deductions to
be made for non attendance, except in cases of
sickness or other disability Isuch the reporter
derstood to be the purport of the amendment
He explained, that the object of his substitute
was designed to secure what every gentleman
will acknowledge is needed-namely, degree of
permanence in the clerkships, which can only be
effected by classification. The second clause adj
drcssed itself to the judgment of members. The
country we'll n themselves were satisfied that
they were rapidly approaching the period when
Congress will be in session from year to year, aud
that something should be done to curai the length
Of the sessions The dissatisfaction with reference
to what is called the mileage question prevails
everywhere. As the law now stands, forty cents
a mile is allowed and it is left to the discretion Of
member to fix the number of miles he has trav-
ellcd from his home to the Capitol The object of
his amendment was to reduce the rate of mileage
to twenty cents n mile by a direct line. This
would allow ample compensation for travelling
expenses. The last part of his amendment was
designed 10 secure punctuaity. During the pre-
sent session what had they seen! Instead of hav.
ing two hundred and thirty-thrcc members in at
tendance, the average, rom the beginning of the
session to the present time, has not been one hun.
dred and sixty five. On account of the absence OF
members much delay has often been caused for
the want Of a quorum. If gentlemen only
had nerve enough to adopt the plan which he pro.
posed they would not be under the necessity Of re
porting in the Journal, from time to time, SO many
absenteee, either in committee or in the House.
He had merely brought the matter beiore the com.
mittee outline of the principles which should
be csta blshed, in order to remedy the evils 10
which he had adverted; and should he fail in this,
he would cheerfully acquiPsce in any other propo
siion TO acc omplish this desirable object
MIR. HALL asked the gentleman to accept Of a
modification. as f, lowe;
Provided, That 'the Administration should, of
course, look among those who approve its policy
for agents to carry il i..to execution"
MIR. BRENTON said he would accept the modi
hcation; but his object was to break down party
spirit, as far possible, in the selection Of clerks
Mr.. HALL remarked, he was exceedingly sorry
the gentleman thould thus repudate the senti-
men,s OF the great leader of the Wing party; for
his proviso was in the exact language Of General
Scott
The question was then taken. and the amend.
ment OF Mr. BaENToN rejected.
Dir. McMULLEN offered an amendment, pro-
viding that all clerks residing in the District Of
Columbia receiving a salary Of one thousand dol
lars annually shall be paid fifteen per cent addi
tional; and that all clerks receiving over one
thousand and not more than twelve hundred shall
District OF Columbia. He interrupted in his
remarks, while explaining the amend ment, by the
arrival OF the time when, by a previously adopted
resolution of the House, the debate in five minutes
Mr.. JOHNSON, Of Tennessee, offered the fol-
lowing, saying that it would give strength to the
proposition under consideration, namely:
"And that twenty per cent. be added to the per
olSHi VI AoHtuiJ VI oil cuplOye5 OI tnc OOV-
eminent engaged in any branch Of mechanics, or
as common laborers."
The amendment disagreed to.
Mr. FLORENCE offered the following, namely
in the employment of the Government of the Uni.
ted States working upon army clothing, or any
other OF the supplies usually provided under the
direction of the Quartermaster's Department, and
produced mainly by female labor, be increased
twenty five per cent"
This was disagreed to-ayes II, noes 70.
Several other amendments were agreed to, when
the proposition under consideration was agreed to
in the following form, viz:
"Be Further enacted, That the clerks, messen.
gers, watchmen, and laborers employed at an an.
nual salary, or In temporary positions in the Exc
cutive and Legislative Departments of the Gov.
eminent in the city of Washington, whose COM
pensation does not exceed twelve hundred dollars
per annum, shall in addition thereto, be allowed the
following annual increase of compensation, COM
mencng from the first day of the present fiscal year,
viz: all whose annual compensation does not ex
coed twelve hundred dollars, shall, in addition
thereto, be allowed an increased compe nsation OF
twenty per cent. and that the same shall be paid
out OF, any money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated.
'.PIooided, That this section shall not extend to
any person receiving a salary for discharging the
duties OF more than one office at the same time,
TO any person who does not actually disc barge the
duties Of the Office for which he received such
salary, or TO any person engaged in prosecuting
any claim other than his own before any Of the
Departments or Congress; and that in any
paying or accounting officer Of the Government
shall pay said additional per centagc to any such
person, il shall be misdemeanor in the person
knowingly paying receiving such additional per
centage, and rendering each liable to indictment,
and punishment by fine and imprisonment.
lind pr0rided, That the provision Of this section
shall not apply to any person whose compensation
has been increased during the present session Of
Congress
HOME VALUATION.
Mr.. JONES, Of Pennsy lvania. offered an amend
mcnt providing for the levying of duties on i'm
ports according TO a home valuation, TO be ascer-
tuned by the prices in the principal commercial
cities Of the country.
The CHAIRMAN ruled the amendment to be out
Of order; and an appeal having been taken from
his decision, he was sustained- ayes So, noes 81.
Further proceedings took place; when the com
mittee rose, and the bill was reported ~ the
House.
There were upwards Of fifty. seven amendments
made to the bill in committee, five or six Of which
were non concurred in by the House, including
the following:
"And the President Of the United States is here
by authorized and required to levy the same light
duties and charges on foreign vessels entering
the ports and hars0rs VI the United States or pass
ing the liz bthouses thereof, charged by any
corporation or by the foreign governments 10 the