Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-02-20


the military.
1t strikes me that there IS a great dis
position manifested here to add to the sa.
lerics of public officers. We find the
number of pablo officers almost daily in
creased here, and that their salaries are
increased also, in the way of percentage,
in almost every way which the ingenuity
of man can suggest. We find here propo-
sition to add to the regular salaries of these
gentlemen while they are engaged in SER
vice far lighter than the performance of
their regular duties as military officers 1t
seems to me that there is no reason in it,
and there can be no reason for 4.
1t affords little recreation if they have
to 60 upon excursions Of this sort, and
leave their regular duties in the Army to
engage in suc..l service for the time be-
ing. The fair rule would be, instead of
increasing, to decrease the compensation
allowed them. | have no objection to
paving the other gentlemen concerned in
the commission what is reas ,nable and
right. Tney have been selected from
different walk in life and they have no
regular compensation except what they
get for their services as awarded to them
in pursuance Of law.
In the other case, they are receiving
regular pay, aud their compensation ought
to be confined to their regular pay.
find in the report on the finances this
statement in reference to the hospital
under consideration:
Napoleon Arkansas.-Site purchased
September 10, 1873 at cost Of 900.
There have been expended in she structure
$53 ,250. There yet remains muchto be
done, before the building will be ready for
occupation. This includes the completing
Of the interior finish, the hanging of the
doors, painting the interior and exterior,
arranging the bathing rooms, grading, ter
racing, and draining the grounds. The IL
tie deed is on the file, as above"
Now, sir, IT seems to me that the propo-
sition which has been submitted by the
gentleman from Arkansas Of ST. ,0O0 to fin
ish this establishment
Mr.. GREEN WOOD. To furnish the
establishment.
Mr.. LETCHER. The house must be
finished before il is furnished. 1t seems
to me that the sum proposed will not be
sufficient to accomplish the purposes which
the Secretary ofthe Treasury reports TO
this House as necessary yet to be done.--
Here he drescrbes various things necessa-
ry to be done to this establishment not
only the furnishing, but the painting, and
all these various purposes and | take it
that 81, 900 would be hardly sufficient to
furnish house which cost some 100000
for its construction. 1t would be altogeth-
er insufficient for that purpose but it shows
this; that we ought to have some data,
either from the Secretary of the Treasury
or somebody else who knows the facts,
and advise the appropriations of money
here for this as well as for all other purpo-
seq.
Now, have we anything from any De-
partment Of the the Government, or from
any informed person connected with this
marine hospital at Napoleon, which goes
to show that 81 900 is necessary for this
purpose or even, if that sum be appro-
P,iated that it will be sufficient 10 accom-
plish the purpose designed? Hence it u.s.
in consequence Of making appropriations
in this way, that we are constantly called
upon at each succeeding session for in
creased amounts. There are Deficiencies
at almost every session, and they go on
year after year. Now, would it not be
muck better to have some additional def
mite information on the subject? l sug-
guest to the gentleman from Arkansas Mr.
GREENwooD] that he had better ascertain
through the Treasury Department, how
much money they need to accomplish this
purpose specified. 1t seems to me that we
ought to have some. definite information
before we undertake to vote $1,000, or
any other amount.
Propose to add to thai amendment
proviso.:
Provided, hoverer, That but one person
shall obtain his salary as Superintendent of
the Census for the time specified in the
amendment.
Mr.. MORGAN. accept the amend
ment.
Mr.. LETCHER. The object of my
amendment is this: MIR. Kennedy was APP
pointed Superintendent Of the Census and
he performed the duties appertaining to
that office until he was dispatched to Eu-
rope for the purpose of collecting statistics
abroad in regard to the mode of arranging
the census returns. While he was in Eu-
rope he received, as und srstand, or, at
any rate, he claims that he shall receive,
NE regular pay of Superintendent, of the
Census.
New, sir, am opposed to paying two
men for the same service. am opposed to
allowing to Mr.. Kennedy pay as Supe.in-
tendent Of the Census. and At the san line
allowing to this gentleman. who occupies
the position of clerk in the Census Bu-
reau. The pay which Mr.. Kennedy him.
self receives. This individual went into
tina. Office upon an understanding that he
was to get certain compensation for his
services. He remained in that office, and
received that compensation. Now, after
it mas been received, and after the contract
has been fulfilled on the part OF the Gov
eminent towards this individual, he comes
forward and asks that an extra compensa-
ton may be allowed him and that he shall
be raised. by the action OF this House, to a
far higher grade than that which the con-
tract contemplated.
Now, it seems TO me that if this princi-
pie IS to be carried out in this case, it is
needless for any of the committees of this
House to resist any applications for extra