The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-20
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, April 10 1876.
VETO OF THE BILL ron REDUCING THE PREsI-
DENTS SALARY AND THE REASONS THEREFOR.
In the Senate, Immediately aner the journal Of yes
tcrdys proceedings read the Chair laid before tho
Senate the following Message
To THE SENATE or TnE UNITED STATEs:-
Herewith return Senate bill No liz, entitled IAN
act fixing the salary Of the President or the United
States" without my approval am constrained 10
THIS course from sense OF duty 10 my successors In
oihce to myself and 10 what due the dignity II the
position OF Chief Magistrate Of nation OF than
oi people When the salary Of the President
Of the United States fixed by the constitution mt
S2SOUo per annum We were nation OF but 5000. 600
o. people. poor from long and exhaustive war, with
out commerce. or manufactures, with but few wants
and those cheaply supplied The salary must
then have been deemed small for the respon
sibiies and dignity OF the position. hut justinaby
SO from the impoverished condition Of the Treasury aud
the simplicity It was desired to cultivate in tho Rcpup
lie The salaries OF Congressman under the constitution
were rst liked at So day for The time actually in SEES
son an average Of about 100 days each S52o
per year. or less than hrtieh OF the salary OF the
President congressman have leeislated upon their
own salaries IRON time to time since, until
finally they have reached 5000 each per an
mum, or onc-.ifth that Of the President be-
fore the salary Of The latter increased No one hay
ing knowledge OF tho cost Of living at the national cap
ita will contend that the present salaries OF Congress
too high unless II be the intention 10 make
Office entirely OF nonor when the salary should DO
abolished, proposition repugnant to our republican
IDEAS and institutions do not believe the citizens OF
without fair compensation for their services The
sum OF $4,000 does not dcfiny tho expenses Of the
Executive for year, has in my experience. II
Is now onc-nfth in value what II when liked ny the
constitution IN supplying demands and Having
no personal Interest IN this matter have felt myself
free TO return this bill to the House which IL origin
ated with my objections. believing that in doing
meet the wishes and Judgment Of the great majority Of
those who indirectly all the salaries and other
pcnscs OF the government U. s. GRANT
EXECUTIVE MANSION, April Is, 1876.
On motion Of Mr.. Clayton II ordered that the
Message DO printed and referred TO the Committee on
Civil Service and RelrenchmcnL
SECRETARY BRIsTow AND THE DIsTILLERY
SCANDAL SHARP LETTER TO THE CON-
MIrTEE ON EXPENSES IN THE DEPARTMENT
or JUSTICE
Secretary Brstow has addressed the following letter
to Hon. b g. Caul1eld, chairman Of the Committee on
Expenses, Department OF Justicc:-
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, u. c., April 10, 1870
Shiny attention has been called 10 the Washington
dispatches 70 the Baltimore Gazette OF this copy
incoscd), from which II appears that last
week Mr. I. W. BARLEY, OF tins city, appeared before
your committee and detailed rumors under oath
affecting my official integrity. This witness Is repre-
scnted as having upon Information and belief In
substance that while was United states Attorney for
the district Of Kentucky number OF disteries were
seized at my instance and that soon after, upon an
offer OF large sum of money resigned and procured
the appointment Of my assistant, Colonel Wharton, rs
my successor, became counsel for these disiers and
IN accordance with tho terms OF tho alleged
agreement, procured the release Of their pr0pcrty
Il IS difficult to credit the statement that officer
Of tile government who could be reached by your
miitce in lew minutes should be allowed 10 remain
In ignorance OF the character Of such testimony
Tor nearly week, and that no opportunity to meet
charges OF SO serious nature should be afforded him. In
tho absence OF any definite Information from your
mittee IN regard 10 what the witness really stated
under oath, and without reference to the alleged dena
Of these statements by another witness, | must
promptly meet the slandcr as md il in the public
prints, even Mt the risk OF appearing 10
reflect upon the methods OF your committee.
The story, whether testified to by Mr. BARLEY any
else before your committee, Is absolutely and
qualiiedy fnIse trust your committee will recognize
the propriety Of giving me the opportunity TO meet
this baseless SANDER promptly, and for this purpose
request that tho officers OF the court including the
Judge thereof BIZ brought before your aud
subjected - public examination touching all Of tho
matters alleged by tho witnesses In question: either by
direct statement or innuendo and, need be- that the
records Of tho court be examined for tho purpose Of
showing that such existed, least that had
no connection with any. Furthermore, claim the
right to be heard personally before your committee,
under oath touching all Of the meters referred by any
u the witnesses who have been examined this SUBJ
Jcct have The honor to be, very respectfully your
Obcdfcpf servant H. BRISTOW