Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-01-10

LII Lit ulSCNlSSAOll VI NllC bAll- III 4)O0b-
well said the opinion so generally mani
tested that the Government of the United
States was existing with vast amount of
its paper in circulation which had been dis
honored, twas entirely erroneous. There
was no obligation to pay the notes at any
time. They are redeemable at the pleas
ure of the Government, and such was the
spirit of the law.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont said he was
surprised at the statement Of the gentle
man from Massachusetts (BOutwell) under
taking to defend the right of the govern
ment to postpone the day Of paying its OBJ
legations. Without pretending to under
stand the niceties of the law, he knew that
as business man if any individual under
took to give out such paper, the courts
would compel him to pay it. He believed
the intention of the law was that the gov
eminent should pay these notes as early as
possible.
Mr.. Howe said if he was a judge he
would not give a Judgment against the
government on one of these notes, but il
did not follow that because the law was de-
fectiyely framed Congress was relievedtrom
providing for the payment of the notes.
Mr.. Boutwell, said he had vet to learn
how the public credit was improved or the
character of the country, benefited by the
statement that We are living in financial
dishonor. The nation could not be charged
with dishonor, when il had stipulated be
fOrchand wha tit would do, that it would
redeem these obligations ini coin. While
this process was going on the government
was under no obligations TO bring it to-
result at any particular time. He did not
believe the nation was living in dishonOr.
Mr.. Howe, said the Senator from Mas
sachusetts lBoutwell) had made the adj
mission that for five or six years the Gov
eminent had been acting in the direction Of
making its promises equal in value TO gold.
Mr.. Howe did not see that the Government
has taken any step to that end. Business
had, but the Government had not.
The Salary Grab.
The morning hour having expired the
Senate resumed consideration of the social
ed salary bill.
Mr.. Lewis moved that when the Senate
adjourn to-day, it be to meet Monday
next. Agreed to yeas b, nays %.
Mr.. Sergeant Of California said he
thought it unfortunate for the bill now IN
der consideration that the Senate last even
ing adopted the amendment. The gentle
man from Maryland (HaniltOn) could not
move a reconsideration Of the amendment
not having voted fOr It, but he hoped some
Senator who did vote in the affirmative
would move to reconsider.
NJ. Wright said the Senator from Cali
fornia (Sargent) chad intimated that by
voting for the amendment he had sought
out the President as the only one to receive
increased salary. The salaries of Assistant
Secretaries and others were increased by
the bill rs we'll as that Of the President
The repeal did not affect them.
The amendment Of Mr.. Edmunds offered
last evening, that the reduction Of salaries
should take effect from March i, 1873, and
that the accounting officers of the Treasury
shall compute the same accordingly, and
make a ratiOable monthly reduction from
said salaries at the rate necessary to effect
this provision within the next nine months
hereafter was rejected-yeas 20, nays 20.
Mr.. Foreman moved to amend so that
the salary of the President after March 4,
1877, should So, 900 per annum. Lost.
Mr.. Clayton moved to recOmmit the bill
and pending amendments to the Committee
on Civil Service and Retrenchpent with
instructions to report a bill looking to a
general reduction of all salaries in govern
ment offices, civil and military, as far rs it
could be done, and that salaries be equal
lied according to the nature Of the services
rendered.
Mr.. Clayton's motionwaS lost. Nays Il,
yeas 10.
The question then being on cOncuuing
in tine Senate substitute for the House bill,
Mr.. Hamill moved to amend the House
bill by fixing the salary of Senators, Mem
bers and Delegates at $500 per annum,
instead of $1,000.
BY Mr.. Edmunds, to amend the amend
ment by inserting 5000 instead of $500.
Agreed to; yeas 81, nays -,
Mr.. EdmundS moved TO strike out in the
House bill the words "actual individual
expenses of each Senator, Representative
and Delegate" and insert the words smile
age allowed by law prior to the passage Of
the act of March ,, 1873.
Mr.. Morrill, moved TO insert before the
word mileage the words One-half.
Mr.. Lewis moved that the Senate go in
| to executive session. Lost.
A discussion ensued relative to the sys-
TEN of mileage, after which MOTills
amendment was rejected.
Mr.. Cragin offered an amendment that
10 mileage he allowed for the first session
| of the FOrty-Third Congress. Adopted.
Mr.. Edmund's amendment was agreed to-
yeas b, nays %.
Mr.. Merriman moved to insert after the
word mileage, and other allowances
| Agreed to.
Mr. Gordon offered an amendment TO re-
duce the salaries of all army and navy
| officers % per cent, whose pay exceed:
| $1,000 per annum, and of all heads of de-
partments and other officers of the Gov
eminent whose pay exceeds $1,000 and i:
not fixed by the constitution of the United
States.
MIR. Wright hoped the gentleman would
not press his amendment now, as he did
| not desire to endanger the passage Ofthe bill
ANY other time he would gladly join thf
gentleman to effect reduction.
Nr. Gordon hoped there would be {
vote upon it. The people Of the country
! demanded practical economy and did nGI
want the military elevated at the expense
Of the civil branch.
Mr.. Edmunds moved TO strike out that
portion of the amendment relative to army
4 and navy officers.
Mr.. Morton h0psd the bill TO repeal tho
act of March , would not be embarrassed
| with this amendment, which undertook t.
make a general salary law.
! Mr.. Edmunds said lie was ready to in
quire into tho compensation Of all Officers
| of the Government, but would not favor {
reduction of salaries of all men who had
| served their country faithfully.
1Ir. Dennis iEtrodHced bill to provide
| arsRy equipments f5r the whole body o.
militia 81 the United States. Referred.
Pending the discussion on the salarS
| bill the Senate went into executive session
| and soon after adjourned until Monday.
HOUSE.