The daily union., 1852-12-24

ruggle on, in my opinion, as we best may We must
10 give our services and TO trust 10 another and
better reward Tor them than 10 be found IN pccunary
compensation Believing this Mr.. President; believing
that II is unwse to touch the subject believing that how
ever imperfect the arrangements made may be, we
had better adhere 10 them they In order TO test
the sense OF the Senate, whether they disposed to
ter into new arrangements upon this subject al all during
the present session, Will submit the motion that the bill
be indefinitely postponed
Mr.. UNDERWOOD | rise to make few remarks
IN reply My friend from North Carolina has intimated
IN ms argument that thus ihd section proposed 10 be
stricken ou should be retained il would be degrading TO
the members OF the Senate. have endeavored during
the last period OF my term to treat my brother members
with great respect; and now tina, about 10 part with
them as believe forever il would be very Jar fEOaA
intend by any bill which could introduce to show any
dsespec 10 those with whom have been personally
soclaed TO show any disrespec those who may be
selected the agents of the States after shall
have retired And if could believe that there any
thing IN that third section which could receive such
hterpreiaton such construction, justly and properly.
my own heart would prompt me TO be among the first to
move for It's expulsion from the BILL t
But apprehend that the remarks OF my friend from
North carolina are based upon improper foundation
Sometimes, when we become exalted by popular favor
and by the favor OF seats when advanced 10 high
and dgnifed and eminent Offices, begin 10 feel ~
we elevated above the impulses OF human
ty, and that would be degrading be treated
we treat the humble level OF mankind Sir. repudate
everything like that distinction between the official corps
and The rank and file of society have no idea that
man. because he is somewhat elevated in his public
sphere should say that he should be exempted from Oahs,
and that his honor is sufficient, while administer oahs
to The multitude whom have TO rule and govern, in
similar circumstances may take my impressions upon
tins subject from the conduct of my own State. may
have allowed the practice in Kentucky too much TO guide
me when was pennng that bill. But it is no nav
thag there 10 require TO give affidavit verifying
the statement which be makes in which he is personally
Interested Il IS the everyday practice And because it
Is the every day practice there. thought It was not de-
grading to members Of Congress do The thing
which have been accustomed TO there in the practice OF
isng llte ! had no idea that any gentleman would
consider himself degraded by being required to give such
an affidavit have never known any such difficulty in
the practice IN my State where, think that justice Is
pretty well administered, and where put the Official
corps upon the footing with the unofficial making
no distinction And there Is nothing in human nature to
justify distinction OF this SORT in the case OF representa-
lives and senators in Congress. Ns
The gentleman represents members of Congress in the
degrading aspect OF visiting executive officer 10 bring
officer had anything to do with it. No, that is
the construction OF the b that the meaning of the
bull The executive officer has no discretion in the mat
ter at all. He has judgment to give. On the con-
lray by the provisions OF that section proposed to
be stricken out, the member makes his statement.
verified by his oath and without any revision.
without any correction, without any judgment, the
uve officer has TO administer H. and pay the money just
according 10 the account. The member of Congress
makes his own deduction and the executive officer has
nothing to do with 1t. The executive officer has
right TO question him about anything His account 10
made out by HIMSELF verified as the law requires and 10
7hylgpsnu aN6spir 10 aH eSec1fIfe omte &n1 -nfs1ed
count made out by himself. verified according 10 law,
and possessing absolute verify, and which the executive
ofbcer Is bound 10 regard as such
of my State. They have worked well among
It's not at a uncommon there TO dock the judges So much
taken from their allowances Tor abseneesm, u may
be called, And, sir, think Kentucky Judge pos
much morality, and is influenced by internal
OF right and wrong just high and powerful, and
operative in all the duties OF fe member OF Con-
gress either in this in the other branch We do not
degrade him by docking him in this way. II is not so
consdered should II be considered here II II has
that effect the gentleman has done more than justice
IN saying that is not intended did not intend it. nor
can 1t have that effect
have nothing 10 do with the past. do not propose
TO go into it, 1 have endeavored in framing this bill,
10 occupy ground which could not lead to difficulties
which have occurred in the past have nothing 10 do
with the controversy between Mr. Whitllesey and the
Senate That IS past transaction want 10 see moth
ing o The kind 70 the iuiufe and one object IN the prep
araton of this bill has been to avoid everything of the
kind. leave ground or foundation upon which any
dhculiy hereafter between the legislative and
the executive departments OF The the sub
jec OF compensation. Under this bill difficulty
Under Tins bill the has nothing ask of
the executive officer but the administration OF law, and
that done upon his making out his own account But
IN The preparation OF this bill intended, II could, 10
reach exact Justice and 10 consult the public sentiment
in The country, so lar as had learned IT, And IN framing
the bill this fact suggested itself for my conslderaUn;
We sometimes adourn for want OF a quorum We often
call the yeas and nays this body OF sixy-two members,
making poor show OF thlrty-two or thnythree-
barely quorum for the transaction Of the public busl-
ness have beard these things greatly complained OF.
said 10 myself, in making this radical change IN the
compensation OF members Of Congress, which think
right and proper shall there be provision made which
VIII nave influence, least tendency 10
huenoe induce members OF Congress attend to the
public business by occupying their seats That the
question that asked myself The Tact that we adjourn
sometimes because have a quorum, and the fact
that upon our taking the yeas aod nays very few
more than half the members respond 10 the call of
their names-ihese facts notorious all the
county And | asked myself whether, framing
thus bill, II not possible 10 put some nlsence TO
work which should correct what ] conceive, whether
enormously not, TO be evil ! saw but one way
sir to put those Influences to work. saw but way
10 motive H. sir, the high and important trusts
oon6ded u.s. and the honor TO be acquired by the faith
iul discharge of those trusts by always being in our
seats, has not been sufficient at all tunes to secure
quorum. or puncual attendance, do not know how
could make motive growing out OF the character OF the
duties which devolve upon stronger than the motive
presented from the very foundation OF the government
do not how could present any stronger motive.
growing OF considerations OF that sort, than has
lsed all times during the very existence ot the evil
And IL we cannot hnd other more eHectual mo-
tive, the condition OF things must continue And
if these facts be evil have supposed IT must re-
main without remedy
Well, SIR in my simplicity II may be, thought that II
You required the 10 state himself, for choose 10
leave to his conscience how many black marks
ought TO be made against him, bow many times he was
absent before he would submit exhibit account OF bis
own default by which he would he docked, before he
would make out such an under his hand and
his own OATH should have quorum, and more gen
ea attendance Of The Senate 10 do the public business
and thus should have remedy for the evil, or plan
which would have tendency to remedy the evil
And thought il would be remedy, without any degra-
dation upon The part OF the Senate because against
deg aiding the body Of which am member. Let us try