Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-29
SPIRIT OF THE MORNING PRESS

~ AoAA S< Ah6 mVnN1No ShESS
The Intelfigenesr says of the speech of
Gen. Cas-, yesterday:
We did not see sufficient cause to alter our
somewhat cherished opionions on this yexed
question, but We listened with much Difference
tothe matured views of the honorable Senator
We were pleased to see him vigorous and in
health, Indeed with the youthful ardor of
1917, as If again able and willing to draw his
sword in defence of the country, advocating
what he deems patriotic. We shall be like
wise pleased to have an opportunity to exam
Inc his observations at more leisure than we
could do under his habitually rapid enuncia-
ton. Whatever conclusion we may arrive at
then, We are sure that we shall be, and that
our readers will be edited by the historical
summary presented by the Senator, when his
speech shall be published in full. 1t is posi-
Die that we may suggest a few comments on
the debate, should any extended one take
place.
"The question upon which Mr.. Cass based
his remarks was metisn to refer to the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations, the Letter Of
Lord John Russell touching the construction Of
The Clayton Bulwer treaty Of $780,
The Union defends the act of the Sergeant
alarms, in advancing money to members, in
the present condition of the House-saying, in
the course Of its remarks on the subject:
So far from having any pecuniary benefit
In the advances he has made to members of
the House of Representatives on account of
mileage and per diem. we kno,o that he is
making considerable pecuniary sacrifice
The case is simply thus 1t is well known
that, OF the large amount Of money now due
the members on the ledger of the Sergeant
tabout 100000, not one dollar can be paid
to them from the treasury except on the reuui-
sition of the Speaker of the House In this
emergency, the Sergeant Arms, in a spirit
OF accommodation, which all who know him
agree to be characteristic Of that officer, has
raised on his own credit, and paid to members,
some $50, 600. For this, We suppose, he pays
legal interest So far from the funds thus
paid having been of deprecated character,
about one third of il was of the notes of some
OF the oldest, soundest, and best banks i'm
Pennsylvania, about $50, 900 in gold, or notes
OF the banks Of this city; and at least SIS, 900
In drafts on New York and Philadelphia, which
are worth more than par in this city
"FOr these large advances, which, Of course.
he cannot raise without expense to himself he
mas not charged members one doiicv of inter.
est or prsm,0m."
We presume the Unton to the contrary
Notwithstanding that no one with half an eve
fails to comprehend that the Sergeant.a at.
Arms advances have greatly aided in pro-
longing the existing shameful condition of the
House. If the members who have been com
PEELED to borrow portions of the $50, 900 had
not had his desk to 60 to for money, until the
House was organized, there would have been
vastly more anxiety ON the part of the House
to organize, than exists. The country, with
out distinction of party Outside Of the class Of
professional politicisns,) wishes an organiza-
ton upon almost any terms, rather than pro-
longatiOn Of the present state of affairs; and
therefore cannot fail to deprecate the act of
the Sergeant-at Arms by which it is postponed
Ii, as the Union alleges, that officer has paid
interest for the money thus advanced. and if
the ratezof interest he has paid is that now
ranging in our commercial cities or here, he
has already sacrificed nearly the amount Of
the salary he will receive if reelected. We
have regarded him as q man of sense, and
therefore believe what the Union hints, with
reference to his payment Of interest on this
money, as so much fol de rol. If no interest
has been paid, the Pennsylvania banks making
the loans hardly deserve the high enconiums
which the Union showers on them; their con-
duct being that Of parties exceeding anxious
to get circulation for their notes far from
their own doors, after the wildcat fashion.
We greatly doubt the prudence of the Ser
geant-at-Arms's investment as a means of in.
cressing bis chance of a reelection, recollect.
Ing as We do, the result Of extreme liberality
to members, in a case of a person who, for a
session, some years ago doled out picked oys-
tiers and brandy from one of the committee
rooms; and found, in the end, that the very
members upon whom he had calculated strong
est were the staunchest opponents of his bill
In the hall! In truth, if we are not greatly
mistaken, these advances will prove as inju
rious to the prospects of the re- election of tn.
present Sergeant-at-Arms, as they have Ger
tainly proved to that of the organization o.
the House, and to the business of our fellow
citizens Of the federal metropolis, one and all