The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-18

vision for an extra allowance to the members for
their services for this Congress amounting to the
sum Of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars
In this they have acted upon the practical
maxim, that there is no use in doing a good
thing if We cannot ourselves share in the cash
profits The pay to q member of Congress.
however, Of three thousand a year, is little
enough-fve thousand would be public econo-
my; for with salary Of five thousand dollars a
year to each member, we have no doubt that
many of the leakages through which hundreds of
thousands and millions Of dollars of the public
funds escape would be stopped, because the
plea Of necessity, which has thus far been some
excuse for engaging in the pickings and steal
ings, would no longer be available.
The Cincinnati platform on internal improve
ments has been kicked out of doors by the de-
mocracy of both houses upon various river and
harbor bills, which have been passed over the
head of the President and his remarkable fidelity
to democratic principles in these remarkable
cases. On the other hand, his Eycellency has
cheerfuly approved all the grand railroad land
jobbng schemes submitted to him, whereby
squandered upon SPECTATORS, spoilsmen and mo-
nopolists to the prejudice Of the masses of the
people. Democracy is curious article in these
latter days, straining at gnat, or swallowing
a camel, as the case may require.
The total appropriations for this session of
Congress are estimated, by one of our special
correspondents, to cover a sum of over sixty
three millions of dollars. Including the public
lands squandered upon railroad jobbers, deflcen-
cies which will yet have to be made up and
other items, we presume that the treasury, for
the current year. will suffer to the full extent of
a hundred and fifty millions. Pretty good for
New Hampshire President, with Congress re-
publican in one branch, and democratic in the
other.
All the regular appropriation bills appear to
have been squeezed through without much diff
Guilty, excepting the Legislative, Executive and
Judicial bill and the Army bill, which were en-
numbered with the Kansas anti-Lecompte, anti
Siringfcllow, anti-border rufian amendments OF
the House. For the latest information upon
them, see our reporters report, and our editorial
summary.
OOlllIs sJCdIHcTS nave seCuTeu CuelT an
nual appropriation, with notice for ending the
contract which will cut off their line from gov
eminent assistance after the expiration of two
years.
The most extraordinary feature of the closing
scenes of this expiring session. was the compare
lively good discipline which prevailed through
Saturday night and Sunday morning. Our spe-
cal reporter informs US that better order was
preserved than ever before known on similar
occasion. All sobeY." This last short pithy
sentence, "all SOBER" staggers our credulity.
Our authority is reliable, but the news is almost
too good for belief. Generally, in the winding
up of Congress, the committee rooms Of each
house are turned by the lobby into free bar
rooms, and the members on the floor who are
strictly sober are in powerless minority. 1t is,
therefore, exceedingly refreshing to learn that ON
this occasion all were SOBER Can it be that
The Main liquor law, after having been tried and
botched by various State Legislatures, has been
adopted by Congress in the shape Of practical
experiment. or have the supplies of brandy run
short in Washington ?-or have they taken to La
ger biers
After the adjournment today, we shall gather
up the fragments, and prepare for the hot work
Of the campaign with the distribution of our Con-
gressional stumpers and spouters among the body
Of the people