The Leavenworth weekly times., 1874-04-30
CONGRESSIONAL.
HOUSE.

House
The House went into Commit &c Of the
Whole on the Legislative Appropriation
bill.
The amendment pending yesterday for the
appropriation of $1,000. 900, to pay tine
judgments of the Court Of Claims. was agreed
to without discussion.
Mr.. Nesmith moved to strike out from
the paragraph relating to the Department Of
Justice for the item Of $40
for care and Subsistence of horses, and 5000
for repairs to carriages and harness. He
spoke Of the Attorney -Geueral's 81 600
landaulet, and remarked that the lawyers Of
the Attorney Generals acquaintance calling
in his city rode on the outside of fifty dol
lar mule. (Langhter) There was Span
ish proverb to the effect that If yon put q
beggar on horseback he will ride 10 the
devil.
Mr.. Nsg'ey objected TO the comparison Of
an officer of the government to a besgar on
horseback.
Mr.. Nesmiih-i simply referred to the
mule. Lsugbterl.
will continue being careful TO keep in
order.
Mr.. N.smith-l was only quoting the
Spanish proverb, which say: "rut b~ggar
On horse back and he will ride 10 the devil. !"
l have no objection TO tie termination OF
the journey In that direction. but i don't
want the people to pay tor the Transports.
ton. laughter
NJ. nn.h.rn a.sJ a.. s,,k NON, og
the Committee on Contingent expenses, in
the Department of Justice. he had investi-
gated the subject, and would be prepared in
day or two 10 make report of the extrav-
agances OF that department, but he now de-
sired the chairman OF the Cpmmitise on
Appropriations to state how many horses
were provided for in this Sl400 item.
A running collOquy took place between
Messrs. Garfield and Durham, during which
Mr.. Garfield said he could not furnish Dur
ham brains 10 comprehend his (Garfeld's) }
statement, and it came out that tie Attorney
General had used three horses, in the past
year, but the appropriation for horses and
carriages for the next year would be limited
Mr.. Garfield said there is.no need of any
haste abont this matter.
The Attorney General stated to the Com
miitee on Appropriations that he is not only
compelled to run the Court OF Claims on the
Government side through his assistance, but
al 10 to attend to all cases in the Supreme
Court to which the United States ia party
and that there IL no day that he does not re-
quire the Use Of horses and carriage, and il
makes no difference whether it should be by
what Government furnishes or whether it il
hired. IL the Government wants to break
down the habit OF years and sweep out all
arrangements for horses ard carriages for
the Departments vary we'll, / have no
quarrel with that policy except that i, has
not been the custom OF the Coy
erLment for the last seven.y-iive
years. know there have been ab,lses in
regard to horses and carriages in various de-
paTtn ents; these abuses are older than any
member OF the House; there has been no
"ttOrney general since the foundation of the
government who has not been furnished with
horses and carriages by the government as
part of his official outfit. There il not an
hour OF the day when heads of departments
are net liable TO be called upon to meet the
President in cabinet. / know that some Of
them in view of all which has been said on
ihIs subject have expressed their wish
10 have the whole :hipg abolished.
l telieve that in relation to
A,toruey-General there has been purchased
for him expensive carriages which ought
not to have been purchased. l believe that
was an improper and indefensible use OF the
contingent fund in way that none of us
are here TO defend or approve. That, here
ever wHs done, as the committee was assured,
not by the Attorn:y-General in person,
but by subordinate that the fund having
beea always managed by the Chief Clerk, or
one of his assistants. The Attorney General
has no knowledge of the matter of expense,
and had regretted what bad happened. Let
US DO what ought to be done, as a question
Of fgeneral management, and not in spirit
OF persecution of an officer.
Mr.. J. I. Hoar believed reasonable and
decent conveyance should be provided for
the Attorney General, and he asked Nes-
mith whether he would like to have the At.
torney General ride down Pennsylvania
Avenue on the back of fifty dollar mule.
Mr.. Nesmith said he had seen the At
torney General ride in Oregan on a mule.
Mr.. Holman said this was the first time
Congress was called upon to vote distinctly
upon such proposition. Hitherto it had
been allowed in lump sums.
bo1u tuat uIb OUlcCsIOu 10 tue
thing was that it was little peddlirg, plea.
yunish attempt, which smlrched honor and
shrivled manhood In the eye Of the Ameri-
can people and Of the world.
Finally the debate was closed, and Ne
smiths amendment to strike out the items
for horses and carriages, was agreed to:
So to 60,
Mr.. q. T. Hoar moved an amendment
providing that no civil officer Of the govern
ment shall hereafter receive aDv oompenss-
tion or p.rqnisi'es from tie Treasury, or
properly of the U. s., beyond the salary or
compensation allowed by law, or shall make
any private Use Of such property, or Of the
services Or labor of any person employed in
the service oflhe U. S provided this .hal!
not he construed to deprive any officer Of the
U $. Of such fees "a are or may lie provided
by law. Adopted.