The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-03-01

appropriation bills an item Of $I82 1000, to en-
bic him TO pay fer such books was inserted
The Senate struck the item out Of the appropri
alton bill, and the House insisted ON its being re-
tanned Committees of conference Of the two
houses held meetings on the subject Each COM
mittee recommended its respective house to in
sist on its amendment Pending the controversy
the bill 10 increase the compensation of men,
bers was introduced and passed The bill con.
tanned clause providing that thereafter no more
books should be voted to or received by mem-
bers. unless they were paid for out of their own
compensation. This bill being passed, the House
unanimously receded from its objection to the
Senate amendment striking out the appropria-
ton for books; and this corrupt measure was
supposed to have been got rid of forever
But not so. 1t has been revived in one Of the
appropriation bills now pending. The chairman
Of the Committee of Ways and Means reported
the other day an amendment, making al appro.
priation of $4,000 to reimburse the Clerk for
expenses and responsibilities incurred in partly
executing the book resolution alluded TO- That
amendment was amended by a proposition to
strike out that item and insert an item of
1882, 900 for books to new members 1t was
carried by an overwhelming majority in com
mittee, where members are not required to vote
by name But when the question came before
the House, and members were necessitated to re.
cord their names rs for or against the amend
ment, then there was remarkable panic. OF all
the friends Of the dishonest scheme only twenty
hoI tha 10 e
either shirked the responsibility or voted
against it
But another change quite as remarkable came
over their minds within few hours A motion
to reconsider was made, and the House adjourn
ed, leaving the question to come up again on
cred, and on the reconsideration q majority &C
tually voted in favor of the book amendment.
What influences were brought to bear upon the
frightened members to strengthen their backbone
and nerve them with courage to meet the con-
domination Of the country it is hard to say. But
certainly it looked very much like conspiracy
Pity that the Investigating Committee cannot
look into the matter.
We have said that this discreditable scheme
was one of the underlying motives to the bill,
taking from the Comptroller all right to super
wise the items of the contingent expenditure. 1t
is well known that it would be useless for mem
bers to incur the obloquy Of voting for this book
fraud, because, under the Compensation bill the
Comptroller would refuse to certify such an item
Hence the necessity of enacting the law giving
the sole control of the contingent fund to the
Clerk. Both these measures are before the Sc
nate. As to the one in reference TO the coatn-
gent fund.- we are satisfied that even lift pass the
Senate, the President will pocket it, and so pre-
vent its becoming a law. And as to the item.
for books in the Appropriation bill, the Senate
will undoubtedly strike it out and even should
they let it pass for fear of endangering the bill
itself, the Comptroller would refuse to certify for
it on the same grounds that he refused to certify
for the extra compensation Of employees. But
the action of the House in both these cases shows
the necessity of a thorough expurgation of that
body. Wehave confined ourselves to the simple
relation Of facts. They are too eloquent TO need
our saying anything further in regard to them.