New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-07
THE DEBATE ON THE SALARY BILL.

TIIE TONE OF THE DISCUSSION ENCouRAGlNG-sEN-
AToR FLANAGAN ANNOUNCES HIS INTENTION OF
FIGHTING AGAINST THE RErEAI-PROBABHLTY
THAT TIE COMMITTEES BILL ABSOLUTELY RE-
Ealing THE OBNOXIOUS LAW WILL BE PASSED.
JBY TELEGRAPH TO The TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. G-The tone Of the debate on
the Salary BILL which was continued In the Senate
to-day, wac encouraging No one OF those who par
tclpated EXCEPT Nj Flanagan. opposed the absolute
lepeal of the bill of last March, far as it can be
constitutionaiy done and several Of those who ten
months ago and even later, eneered at and dehed
public opinion which condemned their action, have
been Convinced of the Of their ways, and now
speak ana vote for complete repeal. The question
To-day was upon the amendment offered yesterday
by Mr. Pratt SO regulating the salaries OF Senators
and REPRESENTATIVES during the remainder OF the
present Congress that the aggregate amount PAID to
each shall be at the rate Of 5000 year and
mileage Nh Stewart of Nevada, who has SYM
patty with the repeal movement, attempted 10
have the amendment 70 modified that the DacK pay
of the last Congress should be deducted from the
prospective compensation OF Senators and members,
and urged the very reasonable aIgument that II the
excess that has been paid to Senator'S and
Representatives SINCE March last over $4l6 u
month ought not to be retained. The extra $o,Oo0
voted into the pockets of members for services
rendered during the XLIld Congress ought also to be
returned but the friends of the bill, some OF whom
have already covered their back pay into the
Treasury some of whom have left il in the bands OF
the Secretary of the Senate, and some OF whom have
drawn and spent it, understood perfectly that such
An amendment could not pass, and that its defeat
would weaken Mr.. PIatt's meDdment, made o point
of order against MIR. Stewart, and prevented the
entertainment Of hls proposition.
Mr. Flanagan who appeared IN his seat yesterday
foI the first time this occupied the greater
part of the session TO- day with talkt could not be
called o speecb-wthont point or force, Its
dIesrness was tor instant relieved by
"a little piece Of dramatic business, which
brought down the House" Mr.. Flanagan
seems to have been alarmed at the tone OF
the debate yesterday for the safety of the extra
salary due him. and 10 went 70 the Secretary Of the
Senate and secured bis money. This he took ont of
the envelope, held 1T up for the admiration Of the
Senate and then throwing 1t down on hls desk, eI-
claimed Thar il il, and shall fight fol IT 70 the
last Mr. Carpenters speech commanded more at
tention of the Senate than any other, although he
repeated hls sophistry Of last Summer. that the
Constitution provides that Senators and Represents
tives shall receive the compensation ascertalned by
law. Every one was bound 10 take the back nay
and the forward pay. He acknowledged the power
of public opinion and announced himself ~ Teady
to vote for absolute repeal and 10 make the repeal
ia effect date back TO March last The Senate Will
pass the Committees bill absolutely repeating the
| obnoxious measure, aud probably add Air. fTatts
amendment