Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-12-25
CON GRESS.
WASHINGTON. Dec. IL
HOUSE

HOUSE.
The House resumed the con sidcra.
tion of the salary bill.
Mr.. Clymer advocated the repeal OF
the whole law of March 81, 1873, as
far as the constitution permitted, advo-
eating reduction of the Presidents
salary so as to apply to the present liz.
cnmbent, while he would favor a pro-
vision excepting Judges of the Su-
preme Court. lie warned the MEM
bers that they had best obey the de-
mands of the people and escape the
storm OF wrath.
Mr.. Tremaine moved to amend Mr..
Hale's amendment by excluding from
the effect Of the bill the Vice Presi-
dent, members of the Cabinet and the
Speaker of the House
Mr.. lowe favored the reinstatement
Of the whole law.
Mr.. Dawes opposed excepting these
officers, and said they didn't desire it.
In response to inquiry, Mr.. Dawes
said the character Of these men iusti-
fled his assertion. He didn't know
anything about the Presidents having
drawn the increased salary.
Mr.. Storm defended the increase OF
salary as just.
Mr.. Tremain, at Mr.. Blaine's request,
modified the. amendment so as to omit
the Speaker. Amendment rejected ;
yeas 70, nays 1872.
Mr.. Butler said he voted under in
structions from his State.
Mr.. Hale's amendment. in reference
to the Presidents salary. was rejected F.;
yeas 70, nays 1S6.
Mr.. Poland offered an amendment
requiring the present members Of
Congress who received back pay as
members of the last Congress, to re-
fund by monthly reductions, aud di-
rccting the Treasurer to communicate
the passage OF this bill to eN-membors
of the last Congress aud to cover into
the Treasury money SO returned.
Mr.. Beck asked why the same prop
osition was not put to the President.
After little sparring between
Messrs. Poland, Dale and Beck, Mr..
Holman moved as a substitute, a sim
liar amendment, applying only TO the
present members who were also menu
bers of the last Congress, which Mr.
Poland accepted. Carried, ayes l55,
nays l0l.
Mr.. Butler moved to amend, by add
ing proviso requiring all members.
who had been members of the proced-
ing Congress, to return their back pay.
He asked all to come up squarcly and
support the substitute for the whole
bill, which would be offered by Mr..
Hurlburt, fixing the salary Of the
members at six thousand dollars. The
amendment was carried d-1l3to 10.
fixing the salary of the members at
$1,000 and the necessary travelling eS-
pcnses the salaries of the Speaker
and Vice-President 5000 extra, aud
providing for covering into the Treas
ury all back pay not drawn or re-
turned.
Amid excitement and after several
changes of votes from no TO aye, Mr..
Hurlburt's substitute was carried. by
l3S to l3l.
A motion to reconsider was tabled.
Messrs. Hale, Dawes, Hawlcy OF
Conn, Burns, Cox and kasaon spoke
against the substitute. Mr. Hale de-
manding the unconditional repeal Of
the act of March id, 1873.
Mr.. Garfield favored the substitute.
The bill was then ordered to third
reading, by a vote of l53 TO los. ~
Mr.. Butler made. bitter attack on
the newspapers, declaring Congress
men the chosen of the nation, aud as a
class better than the men of any other
profession, and supporting the subs'i-
tutc.
Amidst excitement the bill passed,
by vote of Ii. to "a.
Adjourned.
SENATE
Mr.. Wright offered a resolution di-
recting inquiry as to the expedicncy
of amending the pension law. Pass
ed.
Mr.. Fcnton poke on the resolution
of the Finance Committee, reported
last week. He argued in favor Of
moderate taxation, reduced expenses
and reduced volume of paper money.
Mr.. Crozier said he desired To speak
on the subject tomorrow, and moved
for the relief of the settlers on the
Usage Indian lands.
The latter bill was taken UP and
Mr.. Crozier spoke in its support, after
which it was referred to The Judiciary
Committee.
The resolution Of the House to ad-
journ over Friday was opposed by
Messrs. Morrill,, Edmunds, Thurman,
Morton, Logan, Hamlin and Sherman.
Mr.. Wright favored recess in
March instead of Christmas, il public
business would allow.
The resolution was postponed BY II
to27.
The House bill to repeal the bank
rlpt act. after debate, was referred to
the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Morrill, moved to take up the
bill appropriating four millions to the
Navy.
In response to Mr.. summers ques-
ton, Mr.. Morrill, said that no part OF
the appropriation was for the future.
! Messrs. Sumner and Sherman op.
posed any further increase of naval
expenses.
L IL, - /.