The daily union., 1852-12-24

Therefore, obviously intended as species Of comprom n
wiih lhe excited pubic opinion OF the day whereby they
mlgbt add somewhat TO what everybody knew TO be
mean and Insignificant compensation, and at the same
ume SHOW ready aequiescence in the popular WILL
whch declared that VI 800 year extravagan pay
1or any services they could render
nu MT PRESIDENT, although ] entertain this opinion
eiearly-ailhough am willing to take any just response
oiily IN proposing voting for measure which shall
DC reasonable, fair, just and liberal the
per and 10 the pnbc--l myself opposed 10 touch
ing this subject by any bill We cannot pass a law
Which VIII not be complicated with provisions injurious
70 us, or, II passed without such prov sions leaving us
liable TO another exhibition OF that same species OF pub
nc nagna'Ion and reprobation which so alarmed
predecessors AFTER the passage OF the law OF 1916.
want 70 see neither Of these results do not want TO
see bi passed here which shall be acceptable to The
pubc because il contains unde signed know upon
the part OF my friend from Kentucky but nevertheless
real endorsement OF the ISLANDERS which the papers are
constantly pouring out upon the members Of the two
NOW, as 10 this provision in the third secon--what is
l! IN the hrst place, the pay of member in either
mouse OF congress to be passed under the examination
OF an executive otcer-o person holding his seat by
me appointment OF the President and with responsi-
by TO no other authority in this country but the Presi.
dent Why, sir the principle is destructive of every.
thng IKE security IN the legislative department of the
government he members Of the two houses are the
ony oncers OF the government under the Institutions OF
'ne uned Siaes, the appointment of whom the people
OF the United S,aes have reserved TO themselvesdi-
recty IN the of the members of the House of Repre-
senia'ives, and through their Stale legislatures in the
case OF the members OF this body To us they refer the
protection OF their interests To US they look up moi
merely to pass general laws for their welfare but 10
suafd her rights against executive encroachmen And
"hai 40 we say by provision OF that kind That these
very PERSONS 80 chosen to represent the people and The
States OF TINS Union, to have their compensation
brought under The consideration of executive officer
OF ths government why sir, that state of things
Cured here long ago; and ask you hat was the feel
ing OF this body when an executive oficer-when
comptroller of this governmen-aared to saw that he
would mol pass The accounts OF disbursng officer
Tor the payment OF compensation due TO the members
OF hIs body because he had undertaken revise the
adjudication OF the presiding officer of this body as to
What me amount OF this compensation ought be.
How dad we meet that movement upon his pat9 Did
we moi meet II at the very next session. upon the first
appropriation bull by putting clause there not making
the law TO be but declaring that according TO the true
interpretation OF the law upon this subject the certificates
OF the two presiding officers of the house conclu-
sye upon all the executive officers of this government
And yet this very Objectionable proceeding
BILE IN that case because without warrant Of awobiec
ionabe IN all cases, because inconsistent with the Dig
nily ana independence OF the houses of Congress
IS proposed by this bill TO be now with our SANCTION in
coPorated INTO the law regulating compensation
Then again, sur we are 10 be marked down tardy. alb
sen from the discharge OF our duties. We longer
TO exercise any discretion in determining for ourselves
when The pubic interest requires TO be here and ii
we absent ourselves standing responsible only to our
own consciences and to our own constituents No. sir
we are 10 be marked down. Absent without leave And
now are we to overcome the penal consequences We
are not 10 approach this body No. sir but at the end
q. sessep We aEelasp faF2. ,hnhy 70 ,as .. him.
Sir, have been absent twenty times from the service
OF the Senate during the last The penalty OF the
law is that my whole pay and compensation is gone
but humbly apply 10 you, and beg that, IN tender
sideTaiion OF the matters of which here present
you will be good enough allow me TO receive nv |
compensation. And as know that the word ei a mem.
Der oil Congress cannot be Justly considered entitled 10
any sort oil reliance my certificate gentleman and
man OF honor cannot be weighed against the supposed
money TO which be is not entitled, hereby tender you
my oath upon The Holy Evangelsts that have herein
sstior,h The true causes oi my absence
And now, sir, what those causes IL the execu-
1--we satTap had full discretion The subpcf
might expect 10 his bowels of compassion with
some reasonable appeal But afraid ,rus, him
Wl the Secretary do the favor TO read the excuse
and the onty excuse which is allowed
The Secretary; "Unless such absence was COCA
stoned by his sickness, or the sickness of his wife or
Mr.. BADGER That is all Inc sickness OF himself
or his wife or child Now sir, IN the drs place, resent
he injury sought TO he done by that provision the very
neither wife nor children lLaugherl Sir, is une.
quail. have large family OF children | might stand
chance OF getting excuses for frequent absence by the
sickness oil some one ether OF them. But what be-
comes OF my friend from Illinois at my left [Mr /
SHIELDs}l lie has always been a self-reIyng man
snqw but although he Is self relying in all the
emergencies OF llie why should we throw him into that
unfortunate conditon-l sdpit he deserves better for
oeing single man-oi not having single being in the
on wV9 Oy Rsn %nosS 0psp9soR es can p9h except his
league has thrown oul the suggestion that meant all
though particularly and expressly sluding my friend
from lnols, 10 have some reference to YOURSELF Mr.
D
Tor know too well The decences required towards the
presiding officer OF this body either 10 express or TO in
tend such reference My colleague is mistaken IRE
newed laughierl
Now, SIR, there or ,bTee other contingencies
which think might furnish reasonable excuse for
senator's absening himself from this chamber Some
genilgnSn are not old but that they might have
rather or mother living Would no, their dangerous
Illness furnish reasonable excuse for Absence especial
~ upon prvate-bll day. when should leave enough
behind pass the requisite number Of laws TO prevent
excessive plethora IN the public treasury look upon
hs whole provision, coming as know does, with the
best OF motives from my friend from Kentucky, cacu
aied 70 lend unjust sanction to the impuations daily
cast upon the memS5s OF these two bolies Hard things
are said Of the American Congress HaFd things are
said oi members OF this body We daily reproached
We are daily insulied with impulatons. 10 which moth
ing ~ my judgment better calculated 10 give public
thony aud sanction than the introduction OF such pro
vlslen as this
should be extremely sorry to believe myself associated
IN this chamber with any man utterly lost the ord.
nary considerations Of correct in ordinary standing
IN society N the transaction of their business as make
necessary 10 nteFpose provision that he should make
an andayt before the Secretary OF the Treasury that be
bad not wifuly absented bimself and endeavor
ing to hlcb money from the public treasury which he
bad no tile And, sir am free say, for one though
ao trust unduly sensitive upon such subjects, that II
such were the law, would pass The remainder of my
senatorial term without receiving cent from the pub
hc treasury would not degrade myself by rendering
such an affidavit lCr the pay and emoumenls of any
sion OF Congress. would live or starve, as the case
night be- upon my means, before | would receive
my pay u toe receipt OF were coupled with any such
condition.
Mr. President, do not lei ns, in anxiety upon this
subject, do ANYTHING TO subject honor Ia the