New-York tribune., 1873-03-03
THE SALARY QUESTION AGAIN.

THE SALARY QUESTION AGAIN.
GEN. BUTLER SUCCEEDS IN RECONSIDERING HIS
BILL AND PASSING 1T WITH AN AMENDMENT
-NOE-COMMITTAL ACTION OF THE SENATE
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE TO DECIDE THE
MATTER.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON. March 2.-The House took another
turn n salary question on Saturday morning.
Mr. Butler had learned wisdom from his defeat the
night before. he found that number of members
who would not vote for the $1,000 steal, thought
they could cOnscientiOusly take a smaller sum.
They were willing 70 vote themselves $1,000 OF
$1,000 apiece as extra pay for the present Congress
but there was point beyond which they did not
dare 10 20. Mr.. Butler moved to reconsider the
vote by which his amendment was beaten, and
plausbly argued that every body admitted that
there ought TO be some increase in the salaries of
members. If the House would put his amendment
On the bill he said the Conference Committee
would fix it up, and if $500 year was too high
figure the Committee would reduce it. The motion TO
reconsider was carried. Mr. Sargent proposed TO
modify the amendment so to make the pay $500.
and strike out the provision for the payment Of
actual travelling expenses. This was much more
reasonable proposition than any that had been
made. The added 81, 500 is a liberal Communication
for the present allowances for mileage stationery,
and newspapers and for the postage on letters and
the franking privilege expires next July. The
objection is that the measure is 10 date back two
years The amounts received for mileage and per-
qusltes by members Of the present House will be
deducted from the $1,000 additional pay, and the
remainder will amount TO about $4,000 for everybody
except the Pacific coast men, who VIII get little OF
nothing.
Mr. Sargent's proposition was agreed to without
much opposition. 1t is probably moderate an
increase as the House viii be satisfied with. The
outgoing members are determined TO have a grab at
the Treasury if possible, and if the Conference
Committee does not report anything worse than the
Sargent amendment there will be cause for con-
graduation. Mr. Blaine appointed as a Conference
Committee on the part of the House, Messrs. Gar
field, Butler and Randall Mr. Garfield represents
the General bil and Mr.. Butler the Salaries ques-
tiOn.
When the bill reached the Senate, Mr. Edmunds
moved TO strike out all of the Salaries amendment,
except that relating to the President. He said that
be believed the Presidents salary ought 10 be in
creased and il would be illegal TO make such an
increase during the next four years, unless il
done now, that part Of the amendment ought TO
be agreed to- The question in regard 10 the
other salaries was different. Those could be
increased any time and there should be more con-
sderatiOn given 10 the subject than possible at
this time. Mr.. Edmundss amendment was defeated
by a vote Of 20 Yeas 70 81 Nays. Mr. Edmuuds then
moved to strike ont of the amendment all reference
90 members Of Congress. Mr.. Morton supported
this. saying that when any increase was to be made
be desired greater increase than that proposed.
Other Senators discussed at considerable length
the cost Of living in Washington, and when this was
exhausted the motion was defeated-Yeas, %; Nays
-. Mr.. Edmunds then said thai in order 20 find out
what the Senate really desired In regard 10 this mat
Ter he would move 10 concur in the Senate amend
IDent- Only two Senator's Bayard and Stockton
voted Tor THIS The action Of the Senate il cOnsid-
cred as an instruction 10 the Conference Committee
that il in favor Of increasing salaries and that the
81 500 year added to the pay of members of Con-
puess il not sufficient
Speaker Blaine amended the Salary bill ON his
own motion lust before II passed. The bill increased
his pay 10 $1,000 a yoar, and dated the new rate
back two years Mr. Blaine said his salary was Az
simulated 10 that Of the VcePresident Cabinet
officers and that the increase Of the salaries of
these officers not 10 commence until March g. he
was not willing TO be placed a different footing.
He therefore insisted inserting the word here
after" that the increased salary would apply only
10 the Speaker Of the next House. Mr. Randall OBJ
iected, and Mr.. FarnsWOrth made quite ado about
the presumption of the Speaker in thus amending a
bill but Mr. Blaine wrote the word IN the text, and
declared the amendment adopted.
The Conference Committee were In session from