Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-14

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The amendment he now submitted proposed to increase
the compensation Of the employees Of the Government in
TINS city whose present salary does exceed 81 200
year twenty per cent and 81 200 and not more than
81 800 fifteen per He made this modification A.
his original proposition to the views Of gentlemen 10
whom II was acceptable in this than in the ORIGINAL
shape lie himself would have preferred he first Of
tered IT. but the proposition he submitted was so
reasonable and just that he hoped without further de-
/ bate, il would be unanimously adopted
| The amendment of Mr.. GENTRY is as follows:
BE further enacted That the clerks messengers watch
men, and aborers employed at an annual salary tempo
ray positions in the Executive Legislative
OF the Government in the city Of Washington whose eompen
saon does exceed fifteen hundred dollars per shall
in addition thereto be allowed the following increase
of compensation commencing from the first day the
cal viz All whose annual compensation does exceed
twelve hundred dollars twenty per cent? all whose annual
exceeds twelve hundred does not exceed
fifteen hundred dollars addition of fifteen per cent;
And that the amount Of increased compensation provided
for in this section shall be paid out of any money in the
sury not otherwise appropriated
Mr.. FOWLER wished to make an inquiry. He UNDER
stood this proposition TO allow this increase from the be-
ginning of the last fiscal year The fiscal year COM
menced the lst of July Was designed this increase
OF compensation should commence year last July?
Mr. GENTRY replied that undoubtedly that would be
the effect Of the amendment if should prevail that
was the intention 1t to give relief for the
state of things here which would not be efficiently reach
ed if it was not given in this shape. Ft
Mr.. DEAN moved to add the following provso to the
amendment:
Prored That this section shallno extend to any person
receiving salary for dischagng the duties of than
once at the same time or to any person who does not actually
discharge the duties of the office for which such
salary engaged prosecuting than
his claim before any Of the Departments Congress
Government shall pay said additional per centage any
such 1t shall be uisdemeanor in the person
ingy paying receiving such additional per cenage render
ing each liable TO Indictment and punishment by fine and
imprisonment t#n
The amendment agreed to: Ayes a. noes 62.
Mr.. BRENTON moved q substitute for the section
1883 it shall be the duty of each of the heads of Depart
ments to arrange the clerks in three several classes
cordng to the Of the business in which they are
engaged at salaries of 81 POO 81 800 and ST. 800 they
not to remain in Office longer than twelve years Also,
that the salaries of members of Congress shall be two
thousand dollars per annum, and the mileage allowance
twenty cents per me to be computed by straight line.
Deductions to be made for nonattendance except in
Of sickness or other disability.
Mr. remarked that the object of his amendment
designed to what every gentlemen would acknow
ledge was needed in connexon with the several depart
ments-namely, permanency. The only way by which
permanency could be secured would be by classification
OF the clerks in the different departments. This would
not only accomplish permanency but would destroy oil
sectonaism in the selection of clerks to fill Offices in these
departments.
In reference to the other provisions of his amendment
they addressed themselves to the Judgment of every gem
teman of the committee. The country as well as them
selves satisfied that they fast approxmang
the period when Congress would be in session from year
year. and that something should be done in order to
curta the length of the sessions The dissatisfaction in
reference to what called the mileage question pre-
vailed in every part of the land AS the law stood
forty cents mile allowed and it left the dis
erection of member to fix the number of miles he travel
led from his home to the Capitol. The object of his
amendment to reduce onehalf the amount Of COM
pensaon allowed for mileage and then left to the Secre
tary Of the Treasury to fix the distance upon direct line
from the residence each member to the Capitol The
law would allow ample compensation for all travelling
purposes.
The last part his amendment was designed to secure
ity Tho faf hiatt hal aav
the fact? During the present session. instead of having
two hundred and thiryone members in attendance the
average attendance from the beginning of the session
the present time had been about hundred, or
hundred and sixty-fve. On of the absence of
members, how much delay had occurred for want of a
quorum, both in the House and committee? If they
would only have enough to adopt the plan
which he proposed they would be under the necessity
of reporting the Journal from time time many
| absentees either in committee or in the House.
He did not desire occupy the time of the committee
but merely wished to bring the before it, as an
outline OF the principles that should be established
der to remedy the evil for they must all acknowledge
there was disease and they should go work and find
out an appropriate remedy If he had failed ascertain
the remedy he should cheerfuy unite with any gen.
tleman in any proposition calculated accomplish the
same object he had in view.
Mr.. HALL asked the gentleman to accept the following
amendment modification of the one he had just
offered
rorded That the Administration should of course look
among those who approve its policy for agents carry into
execution"
Mr.. BRENT0N. | would accept that proviso but my
object is TO break down party spirit far possible
Mr.. HALL. | only wish to remark that am exceed
ingy sorry that the gentleman from Indiana should thus
repudat the sentiments of the great leader Of the Wing
party, for my proviso is in the exact language of Gen.
Scott. tftsl
The question was then taken the amendment Of Mr.
BRENToN, and it was rejected
Mr.. McMULLEN moved a substitute for the amend
ment OF Mr. GENTRY, to the effect that all clerks residing
in the District of Columbia receiving a salary of one
oil liz al IL ,1asl
fifteen per cent upon said salaries and that all clerks
receiving thousand, and not more than twelve
hundred dollars shall be paid per upon their
salaries said clerks residing in the District OF Columbia
Mr. Mem submitted few remarks in favor Of his amend
ment
Mr.. GENTRY hoped that the friends of his proposition
would reject all amendments
The amendment of Mr.. McAfULLES was then dis
agreed to. t
The time which the FIVE minutes debate was limited
expired
Mr. JOHNSON Of Tennessee, moved to add the follow
ing proyso to the amendment Htet
Prorded That twenty per cent be added the per diem
monthly Of all employees Of the Government engaged in
any branch Of mechanics common labor"
Mr. j. appealed to his colleague to accept this proyso
as part of his proposition. 1t would give it strength
and this class Of people ought to be provided for.
The amendment was rejected
Mr. FLORENCE said that he desired to offer an amend
ment which would appeal to the warmest sympathes of
all Loud cries Of order! order!"l Members would
be surprised that they called him to order when thew
should hear his amendment read.
The amendment read as follows:
That the prices paid TO oil sewing in the employ
nent OF the Government Of the United working upon
army clothing or other Of the supplies actually provided