Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-26
Our washing ION Letter


said that to make appropriations re quired
revenue, and revenue implied taxes,
which under all circums' anoes are mt re
or less distasteful, inconvenient nnd OF
pressive to the people Th're:"re, the
patrons of the HERALD are interested
parties in the question of
APPROPRIATIONS.
The House during the week past has
been much of the time in committee OF
whole, engaged upon the legislative, ex-
ecutive and judicial appropriation bill,
and in the two last departments have
made SONS significant alterations. Not
withstanding the fact that the House has
sustained the committee in couourring
with the majority of the reoommend a-
tions, there has also been strenuous efforts
on the part of the large minority, among
which are prominent Republican leaders,
for increased expenditure in certain d.
rections: In the opinion of your cores
pendent the House has acted wisely in
making an increased appropriation for the
Department of Agriculture, as the iu-
dicious expanding of these funds reverts
with an hurdredfold profit back into the
hands of the farmer-the sturdy yeomanry
of the country, and the foundation Of all
of our institutions The amendment in
oreasing the appropriation for the Bureau
of Education, from $l4 500 to sec, 800 was
adopted by a vote of 10 to 60. This is
ing of educational data as an assistant to
educators throughout the country, ard
the wisdom of such an outlay none can
question. This sum is meagre and ere
long hope to see million expended an
nually under system of national educa-
ton, which will give to every child q
| liberal education. The state of illitersey
is fearfully against us when compared
with Russia, Germany, and many other
European States where the governments
have direct supervision in educating their
subjects. Also the amendment increasing
the pay of Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court from $4,000 to SIS, 500, and those of
the associate justices from $1,000 to
$4,000. This is, in view of the necessary
expense and labor of the position in itself,
a simple act of justice, and is expedient in
view of the necessity of placing the chief
tribunal of the land beyond the influence
and temptations which must necessarily
surround half paid Judge. The measure
was opposed by many who admitted the
justice of the act, but feared that as a
precedent it would commit Congress to
raise the pay of lower tribunals; the
amendment was adopted by vote OF 112
to 70. The attempt was made by Mr.
Armstrong to fix the salaries of United
States District Judges at $4,000, $1,000,
$4,000 and $4,000 respectfully, and CLASH
flying them by States and Districts, was
rejected; also, a motion to increase the
salaries of the nine Circuit Judges from
$4,000 to $4,000 was lost after a spirited
contest.
There appears to be growing inolina-
ton to increase salaries in the executive
departments, though nothing in that
direction has yet been accomplished, but
| to raise the salaries Of few already well
paid chiefs of Bureaus and heads of d.
visions also, in certain cases to give sub
| ordinate officers the same pay as that OF
heads of departments, while they per
| form tho same duties. But the rank and
file of Office holders are poorly paid, and
however much they may be ignored, are
nevertheless elements of political power
sometimes unacc0ltnta5Y SO-and have
various ways of making point, the fact,
therefore of raising their salaries, COM
mensurate with those of their superiors, is
merely a question Of time.
| The House in committee of the whole
has also had under consideration the
Consular diplomatic appropriation bill,
which amounts to SLABS, 900, but has not
finally disposed of the bill.
The regular naval appropriation bill
reported by Mr.. Washburn, and made the
special order for next Tuesday, appropri-
ates $40 1883, Ill.
GENERAL AMNESTY
seems to be gaining strength daily, as in
dictated by the action of leading minds Of
both houses of Congress. Mr.. Trumbull
on Tuesday, stated his objections to the
special legislation in the removal of Pc
lical disabilities, and desired the immedi
ate passage of general law, which ht
indicated should be liberal Also Mr.
Wilcox introduced bill granting amnes
ty to all but those who were cabinet off
GERS and congressman in 1860 and 1861
His policy is very liberal; even to some
of these he would grant pardon.
l THE SENATE,
on Thursday, was in executive session
upon Missouri appointments. The new
combinations relieve many of the friend
of Mr.. Sohurz of their positions, and tn,
action of the President is said to hav,
been sharply criticised by various Sena
tors in the free discussion, but all of thu
appointments were confirmed.
/ RECEPTIONS
are now rife. President Grant gave hi
first levee last evening. The attendance
as might be expected, was large. A goodly
number of Senators and members of Con
gress were present, but altogether thu
company could not be called brillian
one, nor was there the usual number o