Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-01-16
SENATE


The Senate resumed the Consideration of
the salary bill Levi, moved that when
the senate adjourn, to day. il be to meet
Monday next. Agreed to.
Mn Sargent thought It unfortunate Ion
the bill undcr consideration that the Senate
last evening adopted the amendment Of Mr.
Hamilton. He opposed the amendment be
cause il singled out the President alone. His
ears were to he nailed TO the post for the
next four years, to receive all the leers as
the only man receiving increased salary
He could not move Il reconsideration of the
amendment, not having voted for il, but
hoped some Senator who voted in the affirm
atiye would move 4 reconsideration
Mr.. Hamilton said the President wa, not
responsible for the acts Of this Congress and
had no doubt he could stand the low salary
very well.
Mr.. Edmunds said he iii not know that
the Senate was bound to know what public
opinion Is, or that it was bound 10 act upon
it, even if 1t did know. Publie opinion
often changed very suddenly, and the terms
of Senators had been made long onpurpose
that they might not be carried away on all
occasions by public opinion. The amend
ment Of Mr.. Edmunds, ofiercdlast evening,
that the reduction of salaries should take
effect from March 4, 1873. and that th
accounting officers of the treasury shall
compute the same accordingly, and make
monthly reductions from said salaries at the
rate necessary to effect this provision within
nine months next, hereafter. was rejected
by vote of 20 TO %.
Mr.. Boreman (West Virginia. moved to
amend the bill 81 that the salary of the
President, after March 1, 1877. should be
S3J, 900 per annum. Lost
Mr. CLAYTON ark moved 10 recommit
the bill and pending amendments to the
committee on civil service and retrenchment.
with instructions TO report bill looking 10
4 general reduction of all salaries of govern
ment officers, both civil and military, as far
as it could be done, and that the salaries be
equalized according To- the nature of the
services rendered.
Mr. Cragin hoped vote on the bill
would be reached to-day; if not, the dis
cussion would run into next week The
Senate should vote and meet the public
demand on this question.
Mr. Wrigh: said he supposed one good
reason to recommit the bill would be to
continue the increased pay four or five
months. He hoped the motion would not
prevail. Mr.. Clayton motion was Lost hv
vote of IL to 49,
The question was then 0n cOneurring in
the Senate substitute for the House bill.
Mr.. Hamlin. pending a vote, moved TO
amend the House bill by fixing the salary of
Senators, members and delegates at s.. 500
per annum, instead of $4,000.
Mr.. Edmunds moved to amend the amend
ment by inserting 50 900 instead OF s. 500
Agreed to, yeas II, nays -. Mr.. Edmnnds
moved to strike out in the House bill the
words actual individual expenses of each
Senator. Representative and delegate" !" and
insert the words mileage allowed By law
prior to the passage OF the act Of March 3.
1873"
Mr.. Morrill, (Vermoni) moved To insert
before the word mileage the words Tone
half"
Mr.. Ferry (Ct.) thought this question
OF mileage very objectionable and it was
the feature of the old law to which public
opinion objected. He therefore opposed it g.
Mr.. Edmunds said he was astonished to
hear his friend Mr. Ferry talking about
public opinion after having spoken as If he
did not care for it. few days ago. He
thought the mileage should be allowed. as
members should be enabled to bring their
families here. After further deQate, Mr..
Morrill's amendment was rejected and Mr..
Edmunds's amendment was agreed TO, yeas
IS, nays %, and soon after the Senate ad-
journed to Monday.
HOUSE.
At three o'clock. the death of James
Brooks was announced by his successor, S.
s. Cox, and eulogies of the deceased were
pronounced by Cox and Wood of New York