The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-01-07
WASHINGTON SPECIALS.
Salary Repeal Bill In the Senate.

pay question is likely to be as great a
bone OF contention in the Senate "a it
was in the House, and as they lave nc
limit to the time in which they max,
speeches. We may look for sn end to
the debate about next June. When
the Senate opened Its session this morn
ing, there were many who thought the
question would be settled, and : vote
had without any great amount OF talk.
This opinion wss greatly strengthened
upon Senator Sherman taking the floor
and saying the people expected aud de-
manded repeal o. the increase OF pay
to members OF Congress, ard that he
was ready to vote OF once on the ques.
tion but when the ponderous colleague
of Mr.. Morton unfolded bis portfolio
and displayed Aty or sixty sheets OF
foolscsp, aud monotonsusly began read
ing them, the friends OF prompt action
lost confieuce and began a retreat to
the smoking rooms. Mr.. Pratt's speech
was purely historical. He sketched at
length all the back-pay steals INDUCED
in BY parliamentary bodies since the
creation, lad succeeded in proving that
the act OF March 3, 1873, was the most
outrageous ofall.
Mr.. Thurman followed, arguing in
favor OF a total repeal OF the increase
in all cases, and the restoration 10 the
Treasury by members OF the present
Congress Of the back pay in their ros-
session. The restoration could be ac-
compllshed by Withholding the future
pay OF members until the amount OF
the steal was made good.
Mr.. Logan thereupou made the point
that when q member OF Congress had
drawn pay for services, that money be-
came his property. and could not be
taken away from him. BY law it was
his. Mr.. Thurman admitted the fact.
Then said the Illinois Senator: IL
ask the gentleman from Ohio, who is q
great Constitutional lawyer, when be
admits my property right to the back
pay, which ] have in my pocket, how
can he constitut;onally pass e law TO
deprive me Of my salary for future scr-
vices, in order 10 restore to the Treas
ury money which hc acknowledges ls
my property Mr.. Thurman made
| no reply, and Mr. Logan's sharpness
was rewarded by the audible smiles oI
his friends on the floor and in the gal
lery. 1t is impossible to pre- lict what
shape the repeal bill will iipally az
sumo, or when a vote will be hal.
The Naval Estimate.
The House Appropria ton Commit
tee will take up the Naval Appropris
ton Bill to- morrow. Mr.. Hale. 0
Maine, who has had charge OF the bill
has materially reduced the estimates o
the department. and the COMMITTEE
will still further cut them down. Th,
Seer etary OF the navy has been request
ed 10 attend the meeting Tomorrow, Il
explain the various items, 20 that tn
committee may act intelligently.
Since the prospect for war with
Spain has materially lessened, work ia
the navy yards has been cut down. an(
large numbers OF workmen hevc beer
discharged on furlough.
The Currency Question.
The Banking and Currency Commit
tee had q meeting to-day, and issue
Invitations 10 a number OF the leading
business men and distinguished finan
ciers OF tie country 10 appear bsfor
them at their earliest convenience, 4
give their views with regard to the cur
rency question. Hon. Amass Walker i
among the number invited. Genera
Spinner 10 quoted as in favor OF a law u
retire National bank notes and suppl!
their places with greenbacks.
Grant 20 Withdraw VILLA ms Name
The four Republican Senators wbo
were 10 call on the President to-day Il
urge the withdrawal OF Williams name
were saved the trouble by bis Excel
lency, who paid a visit 10 the Cspi.oI
He took up his position in the Presi
dents room and sent Tor those whom b
wished TO zee, not only the members o
the Judiciary Committee, but az wei
all other OF the prominent men OF ia
1 party in the Senate. The result OF III
efforts OF the President OF the Unite
States as lobbyist remsins to be seen
LArER-When the President rcacbe
the Capitol to-day, he was 10 an IMAM
liable mood. lie WAS sour and cross
The Senators who were summoned
mis- presence saw that the time ha
come when there must be plain ialI
INDUCED in. That q definite under
stading might be arrived aL they &C
cordingly gave without hesitancy Ii
reasons which moved them 10 oppos
the confirmation. To many OF thes
reasons the President listened in sppa
rently utter surprise. The Senators sue
ceeded evidently in giving him mau,
facts OF which be has been bithert
entirely ignorant. The result OF th
visit was that Grant went back 10 th
White House convinced that ne haC
made mistake, apd before he left III
Capitol he stated that the nominstio
would be withdrawn Tomorrow morn
ing. Accordingly when an effort Va
made 10 60 into executive session tbi
afternoon. to confirm the nomination
Of Caleb Gushing, Messra Morton 40
Caneroo objected, urging delay uoli
tomorrow. Tnat Caleb Cushing va
Grants frat choice for Chief Justic
will be remembered, as will also the fac
that Senators have expressed thei
! willingness to confirm Williams to
foreign appointment No positive in
formation warrants the conclusion tha
such change will be msde, bat il
10 the range Of probabilities.