Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-18
Forty-First Congressional Session.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. II.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. II.
SENATE
The senate took up Mr.. Morton's bill, to re-
fund moneys to the states, providing that the
United States shall pay interest on the principal
borrowed by the different states 10 equip, fur
nish or transport troops for the United States
during tile rebellion up to the time the principal
has been or shall be paid back to state govern
ments, also to pay discount on state: bonds sold
TO borrow such money, to an extent not exceed
ing ten percent.
Mr.. Morrill,, of Vt, proposed an amendment,
which was accepted by Mr.. Morton, combining
the payment of interest to such principal as has
been or may be audited and allowed by the
treasury department.
After remarks against the bill by Mr.. Buck
lngham and Mr. Conkling, t senate went into
executive session, and adjourned.
HOUSE.
The house passed a bill, introduced by Mr..
Hoar, to authorize the Worcester County ma
tional bank to change its location to Blackstone
MIR. Butler introduced a resolution, which was
referred to the committee on appropriations,
looking to the appointment by the president of
commission toinveshgate the manner in which
government aid to railroads has been disposed of.
The bill to prevent cruelty to animals ON rail-
roads was passed-124 to 81.
In committee of the whoi !, on appropriations
Mr.. Armstrong moved the increase of the saa-
RIGS of nine circuit judges from $4,000 to $1,000,
Mr.. Dawes opposed the amendment. He
hoped the house would say it would go no furth-
or in raising salaries, and there was no better
place to stop than at this point. There was not
the slightest difficulty in obtaining talent for
the judgeships; on the contrary, the entrance to
the door TO them was blocked with applicants.
Mr.. Ella moved to reduce the salaries to $500.
He thought that the business of paying unreal
sonably high salaries to some officers, and then
raising the salaries of other officers up to that
point was about "played out"
Mr.. Morrill, of Maine opposed any increase
and mtimated that some members in its favor
were probably expecting to succeed TO some of
these iudgeships. The judges in his state re-
ceived only S2500 per year, and had to pay their
own travelling expenses. Heknew great many
lawyers there who had nothing to do, and were
on the verge of starvation, and who would vet
make very good judges. In view of the multi
plicity of lawyers, and the immense numb RS in
which they are being turned out in various
schools and colleges, he protested against
making an aristOcratic class of lawyers.
The amendment having been further opposed
by MessrS. Dawes, Benjamin and Taylor, and
advocated by Mr. Potter was rejected, and the
salaries Of the circuit court judges continue
$4,000.
Mr. Armstrong moved to fix the salaries of
United States district judges at S6000 $4,000,
$4,000 and $4,000, classifying them by states and
districts. Rejected.
Mr. Farnsworth moved to reduce the salary
of the commissioner of internal revenue from
$4,000 to $1,000, and asked why it was that this
officer received more than his SUPERIOR the soic-
itor of the treasury.
Mr.. Dawes replied that the salary was fixed
by law, but he knew no good reason for the law.
The amendment was rejected
Mr.. Cox suggested an allowance TO General
Dent, in the absence of the president. He did
not believe in paying any subordinates for run
ming the White house while the president was
on his philandering expedition through the
country. 1t was not right; it was not the an
cient way of the government.
Old presidents had never deserted their posts,
but stayed in Washington, during the summer
heats and winter cold.
Mr.. Hoar remarked that the second president
of the United States had been absent from
Washington seven months.
Mr.. Cox knew that, but it was during the
sickness of his family. None of the presidents
had gone philandering around the country, to
Long Branch, to horse races smoking all the
contraband cigars they could get.
Mr.. MAYNARD recited the example of General
jackson, the greatest of all presidents, who used
TO travel home to Tennessee in his private car
riage, taking weeks for the trip.
Mr.. Cox was sorry that the gentleman from
Tennessee did not follow the example of General
jackson. Laughter.
Mr., Sargent call attention to the example of
Capt. Tyler, the smallest of all presidents.
Mr.. Cox was sorry that the gentleman copied
such very small example. lLaughterl
The committee took up the military academy
appropriation bill, aud, having completed it,
rose and reported both bills to the honse, and
passed the military academy bill.
The house then proceeded to vote on the