Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-04-27

Now, sir, understand that the salary of Mr.
Marsh was certainly as much as that, and [
think more.
Mr. Wheeler. His salary was SC 900 per
annum.
MI. Peckham. Very we'll. His extra ser.
wees were very triaing in that character.
lie travelled some thirty or forty miles. His
claim before Congress for something like
Sle,OOO. l submit that if we are to pay any
sort of heed to this act at all, that this
amendment most certainly should not be con-
CURED In | can see no sort of reason for
'his extra allowance. | always endeavor, in
ny action, here, to be not only Just but
LIBERAL. But | can see no reason for this al
lowance upon the ground either of justice or
liberality
Mr. Wheeler lie was only there eighteen
days.
Mr.. Peckham The expense he incurred
must have been of n very trhing character.
1t has become customary, know, in regard
tc these foreign missions, to add extra al
iTxances urnn very slight grounds. do not
| hnr- .nat, IN this instance, tfteet ~. ~
| iu require evidence of some extraordinary
service or expenditures before they allow this
claim.
MIR. Lyon. desire to say one word in re-
| ply to the gentlemen who has Just spoken.
The services of Mr.. Marsh have been termed
OF trfiing character, and it has been said
that hetraveled only some thirty miles. III
recollect Alright, the distance from Constan-
tinople 70 Athens is two hundred and twen-
| ty-seven miles. Mr.. Marsh went there in
government vessel. He went there to inves-
tigate tn, claim of Mr. King, and the diffe-
rences of opinion that gentleman had with
the Greek government, and he translated
from Greek into English more than five hun
dred and ninety pages of a claim that has
! been before the Greek government and be-
| fore our government for some seven eight
years. 1t WIS one of the most laborious po
sitons than man could be placed in. Mr.
Marsh did tn. work himself without hiring
solitary assistant lie worked there in the
most unhealthy portion of the year.
Mr.. Peckhan. How long time did he
| spend in Athers,
Mr.. Lyon He spent eleven months in
Athens. That vas the time precisely.
| Mr.. Peckham Was he eleven months
there On his official duties,
Mr. Lyon. Yes, sir: he spent eleven
months there on official duty. Mr. Chairman,
| am ,urprsed that this objection should
come flom the quarter from which it does
But few days ago, a bill was passed here
giving several thousand dollars to ,.;oas M Sand
nrd for Luug notning--for services as
charge taffaires and secretary Of legation at
Paris-,nd the gentleman from New York
did not make a solitary objection to it Here
is had working scholar, who has done
much to elevate the standard of the country
abroad by showing that he is perfectly fami-
liar with the language of the nations to
which he is accredited, and who has displayed
very extraordinary powers in two diplomatic
stations, and he is to be stricken down be-
cause he brings in fair, just and honest
claim for compensation.
Mr.. Smith, of Virginia. propose to re-
du,e the amount 81 900. Mr.. Chairman.
MI. Marsh was our representative at the OF
tonan Porte, and in that character received
salary of $4,000 per annum. understand
that, while so situated, he was called upon by
the State Department to perform certain
services at Athens. While thus engaged of
course he was not performing his duty at the
Ottoman Porte. | understand that this
amendment proposes to give him 50 900 in
addition to the 81 900 extra compensation
Sat %or in addition to Rs 'sh say oi
$4,000 per annum.
Mr.. Wheeler. And not only that, but the
gentleman who discharged his duties ut Con
stantimple while he was absent, is here, also
for extra pay.
Mr.. Smith, Now, ! ask the committee,
withoui any feeling ofopposition to this man,
if they really intend to give him Sl6,O 900 for
eleven months service That is the whole
question. 1t is mere question Of dollars
and cents. | have not word to say. | now
withdraw my amendment
The question recurred on the Senate
amendment.
Mr.. Meacham. | move to amend the
amendment by adding to the appropriation
| 800; and ask that the memorial of Mr..
Marsh be read as a part of my speech.
1ba rioly
withdrew his amendment to the amendment.
! The question recurrcd on the Senate amend
ment.
The committee divided and the tellers re-
ported-ayes as, not half of quorum.
So the Senate amendment was non-con-
CURED in
Iy SESArE-March Sd, 1S55-Eyening Ses-
sion.-The House having returned the Civil
and Diplomatic Appropriation Bill, agreeing
| to certain amendments OF the Senate, and
disagreeing to others, among which was that
making compensation to Mr.. Marsh, the
Senate insisted upon its amendments, and
asked for a Committee of Conference, which
was agreed to-.
The Senate Committee of Conference after
consultation returned, and Mr.. Hunter said ;
The committee of conference of the two
Houses on the civil and diplomatic appropria-
tion bill, find it necessary to consult the
Senate upon three points. The first is in re-
gard to the salaries Of the Judges of the Su-
preme Court. The Senate adopted an amend
ment fixing the salary of the Chief Justice at
81 800 and the Associate Justices at 81 900
each. The House have struck it down, giving
So 500 to the Chief Justice, and 1000 to
the associates. The next point is in relation
to the allowance for the diplomatic services
of Geo p Marsh and John s. Pendleton, who
were associated in the amendment. The
House have allowed the claim of Mr. Schenck
as it was put on by the Senate, and have
thrown out the other, On these two points
the committee of the two Houses have differed
and come here, by their direction, to ask
T what instructions the Senate will give us or
them.
Mr.. Dawson. AS q member of the com
F mittee of conference, | take this occasion tc
sly to you, Mr.. President, and through you
, to the Senate, that we have surrendered,
may say, nearly three fourths of our propo
sitions. Our amendment in regard to tn,
a., salaries of the Judges Of the supreme Cour
| consider such an act of justice that woulC
, stand upon it individually at the risk of thi
bill. The next point was this Mr.. Schencl
, and Mr.. Pendleton were united in the SAM
position, discharged the same duties. Th
House have agreed to provide for one, bu
rejected the other, Mr.. Marsh, whose ser
t vices and position, in the Judgment of thi
) body entitled him to the same compensation
: has also been di sregarded by the House.
{ Mr.. Hunter, We have not much time left
. At twelve o'clock we must adjourn. 1t j
4 half past nine. think it will he better 70
r US to recede from these disputed points an
= close up this troublesome hill 1t must b
d remembered that the House of Representa-
n tivcs have had to give up great deal whic
n they valued, They originally passed maic
i rity of our amendments. | was willing, 10
d myself to close tho matter, and bring in
G report al once, receding from these points
Y but my colleagues on the committee were S
! reluctant to do so that | thought it best I
g take the sense of the Senate. hope tn
/, question will be taken without debate, fc
e we have not time for discussion. Soont
than waste time | would take the responsib