Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-04
IN manner that did exceeding credit

self IN a manner that did exceeding credit
to his sagacity.
Three of the six colOred Representatives,
headed by Rainey, of South Carolina, made
a bold fight against any repeal, but while
they were heard in an indulgent and pat
ronizing way, the weight that was given to
what they said was not such as they would
have liked from the great Radical party.
KassOu, of Iowa, Tremain, of New I YOrk,
and Hawley, Of Connecticut, were promi-
nent in urging the policy of repeal. 1t was
put to the humanity of the caucus that in
any action that might be had, nothing ought
to be done that would reflect at all upon
many truly good but misled gentlemen, not
now members of Congress, who took their
back pay and invested it in a judiciOus
manner. Great circumSpectiOn was urged
in this regard. The final result was the
appointment of committee, consisting of
Messrs. Kasson, Hale, of Maine, Tremain,
Butler, of Massachusetts, and Thomas, of
North Carolina, to prepare bill reducing
the salaries to 5000 year, due regard be
ing paid to such a restoration of the frank
ing privilege and documents and garden
seeds, and provision being made to secure
an allowance for postage and for other pur-
IJtScS- anu 10 " III
the pay up to the amount received by mem
bers Of the Forty-first Congress, which will
substantially set it back at the old figures.
The bill is to be reported tomorrow, if
occasion offers, if the time is not taken up
with questions of privilege. Blaine will
announce the morning hour, and the call OF
States will be had. This will give Hale
the opportunity to introduce the bill. In
case he should die, however, tonight, the
| outlook for the Republican party would be
very gloomy, as an unregenerate Democrat
| from New Hampshire, the next State to be
called, would most undoubtedly grasp the
| situation, and introduce a bill himself.
This, however, was fully considered, and
the contingency provided for by the adOp-
| tiOn of a resolution submitted by Mr.. kel-
| lev, of Pennsylvania, that all other than the
bill shall be at once referred to the Judici-
airy Committee. Only two or three faint
votes were heard in the negative when final
| action was had.
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
| WASHINGTON, Dec. AT call OF III
teen members the Republicans held three
hours caucus on the salary bill, resulting
in the adoption of the following:
"Resolved, That the act OF the Sd o.
| March, 1873, so far as it increases the sala
| ries of members of Congress, and of certain
officers and employees of the two houses
ought to be repealed
"Resolved, That a committee Of tiv'
members of this caucus be appointed by the
chairman, to whom all the propositions OF
fered this evening shall be referred, ant
who shall report a suitable bill to be pre-
sented to the House at the earliest opPOrtu
nity."
MAYNARD was in the chair, and Mr.. Gun
excl Secretary. A committee was appoint
ed in accordance with the resolution.
was composed of Messrs. kasson, Hale
Butler, Tremain, and Thomas, of Nortl
Carolina. The debate was limited to fv
minutes. About thirty-five proposition
were offered, but many covered the sam
ground.
Mr.. Hale wanted an expression of tht
caucus that the salary of members shOul,
be repealed, and tomorrow, according t
his notice to-day, he would press his bill.
Mr.. Kasson wished both the salary G
members and the 10 per cent. voted EN-
ployes repealed.
MIR. KeIloggs resolution provided for tn
repeal of the act and the allowance on mile
ace going and coming hereafter.
Mir. Wall, ofFlorida, moved to repeal th,
Presidents increase as well.
Mr.. Lawrence, of Ohio, moved to retail
the present rate only for the President AM
Supreme Court Justices.
AIr. Townsend, of Pa, moved to ament
by fixing the pay at $4,000 and actual eS
penses, instead Of mileage.
Mr.. Hawiey, of Connecticut, moved t.
reduce the salary to the former sum, to re
duce the increase of employees, and to hav
the reduction take effect on the 4th {
March, 1874.
Mr.. Kelley moved to refer everything t
the Judiciary Committee as the more suit
able committee, and provided that no mem
Der should be compelled tOvote on any pre-
position affecting repeal, till this committe
| had reported.
Ellis II. Roberts wanted a constitutions
amendment providing that no measur
! would be made retroactive hereafter.
The debate was lively, but there was n
unusual wrangling. Nearly all the Soutl
4 ern members favored the retention Of th
5 present rates, as did a number Of those VIII
{ voted for and took it from other sections
t Gen. Neglev spoke in favor of keeping th
: pay where it is.
: Gen. Butler said he had not been able t
2 convince his constituents that it was rigf
f to keep it, and he was for the repeal, an
f for compelling all who took it to return i
t Messrs. Tremaine, Garfield and Scofiel
: advocated the repeal. Several Of the co
a ored men spoke in favor of the present Law
: Among the new members from the Mort
C there was a strong sentiment in favor ofth
d repeal, though comparatively few took a
S active part in the debate. The caucus wa
e much more harmonious than was eXpecte
7, and it was evident at the close that IL
/ Republicans in the House are determine
L to do what all honest people demand.