Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-12
House Of Representative.

House Of Representatives.
Mr.. GIDDINGS, Of Nebraska, introduced bill
establishing post routes in Nebraska, bill 10 pro-
tect the propretors Of towns in Nebraska in town
SITES, and bill providing for the survey and set
lement'o the halfbreed tracts Of land in that
Territory; which were severally referred 10 the
appropriate committees.
Mr.. CROKER introduced bill making appro.
priations for continuing the Improvement OF Taun.
ton river, in Massachusetts, Referred 10 the
Commute on Commerce.
The House took up the bill reported by Mr.
PERKINS, OF Louisiana, from the Committee on
Foreign Affairs TO remodel the diplomatic and
consular system Of the United States
Mr.. PERKINS, IN the course of his remarks
explaining the provisions OF the BILL said that the
pension roll OF Great Britain was not more cor
rupting in its effects than the operations of our
present foreign service. There are instances OF
lnd'viduais receiving twenty thousand dollars for
doing no more duty than others who scarcely re-
ceived pay enough for their support.
Our aipiomatic and consular system was adopted
sixty hve years ago, and was copied from the
British. That government has modified its sys-
tenn hve or SIX times, and so has every other gov
ernment-adapting their systems 10 the PECULIAR
ties of the age.
The bill proposes TO change the title OF charge
dahaires, or ministers resident, 10 that OF minis
tiers plenipoteniiary, so that they may be equal in
rank and have direct access 10 the governments
10 which they may be accredited. He repeated il
was simply change oftitle.
The bill, he said, likewise abolshes outfits,
when have been adopted in imitation of the
British Government. In this connection. he said
a minister may receive his SO 600 outfit, and spend
II before he leaves the country. This, with the
annual salary Of $4,000 and the init Of $4,000,
making S20,5O0 for single years service. Ap.
Poiniments are too often conferred as a reward
for partisan services, and the design Of the bill
was 10 prevent this abuse.
Another A. n
for services which they do not render; and are
prevented from being absent more than ten days
from the held oil their service Under this bill
they will receive no rowing commission, TO enable
them TO spend the summer in Russia and the
winter in Italy. Should this reform be made. we
VIII hear no more OF disquiet produced by the as
sembling OF our ministers abroad, as recently Mt
Ostend.
The bill provides for secretary 10 each lega.
ton, whose duty II shall be TO take care OF the
archives and perform clerks service, and TO act
IN the absence of the ministers. The salaries 10
be small, so that the Offices may not be an obec,
with politicians.
Mr.. ORR inquired 10 the comparative ex-
pcnse between the old and the new system.
Mr.. PERKINS replied, S753l4, saving this
amount by curtailment Of abuses, such as outfits,
&c. He said, with reference 10 tho consuls, that
none but Americans are to be appointed. He de.
ferred further remarks on this branch Of the sub
Ject until tomorrow.
The House resolved itself into the Committee
of the Whole on the state Of the Union, (Mr. OAK
in the Chair and took mp the Pacific railroad
bill
Mr.. CHANDLER, in rising, said his purpose
was TO reply 10 the remarks Of the gentleman from
Massachusetts, Mr.. BANKsJ who recently ad-
dressed the committee on the prevailing topics OF
the day. The gentleman made ncupstory obser-
vations with regard to the Roman Catholic Church,
involving, in that incnpation, a charge Of latent
IA m mi or at leoa I'm
putston Of an article Of religious faith which over.
rides all featy to the Government, and renders
them unworthy of public trust, suspected citizens,
and dangerous officers.
After quoting from the speech Of Mr.. BANKS,
he denied that the Bishop Of Rome has or claims
for himself the RICH; TO interfere with the political
relations OF any country other than that OF which
he is himself subject. He denied the right of
the Bishop of Rome, resulting from his divine
Office, 10 interfere between subjects and sovereigns
and between sovereigns and Governments; and
while he made this denial he Acknowledged ali
the duties which he owes 10 the church OF which
he is an humble member.
He would not yield single dogma 10 suit the
spirit OF the times. He believed all that the
church believes and teaches as religious dogmas
Regarding himself as involved in the general cen.
sure Of the gentleman from Massachusetts, he
clearly and distinctly denied that the power OF the
Pope extends one grain beyond his spiritual rela-
tons, or inifinges, in the least degree, on the
duties which any Roman Catholic owes to the
Government under which he lives
II the Bishop Of Rome should possess himself
OF an army, and invade the territory OF the United
States, or assail the rights of our country, he
would find no more earnest sntagonism than in
him, Mr.. CT IL he were not here TO vote sup
plies 10 our army, and IL too old 10 take part In
our battles, he would be found in The privacy Of
his chamber, or at the foot Of the altar imploring
God for the safety Of his country, and to defeat
the invaders. fAppsuseI
Mr.. oRRremindcd the gentlemen that applause
was not becoming In a delibers,ive body.
Mr.. CHANDLER resumed, saving that, if the
spirit Of conquest should seize on the wearer OF
the tiars, and he should seek 10 subIueaie Italy,
he [Mr. c. would look on the chances Of the de.
feat Of his army as cooly and complscen,ly az on
the schemes OF any other ambitious monarch.
This was not only his belief but was fully held
and openly asserted by every bisho ofthe church,
proof Of which he produced.
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