National Republican., 1876-12-19
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
SECOND sEssIO =.
MONDAY, December Is, ls7I

MONDAY, December Is, 1879
The Senate was called to order by PRES1-
DENT pro tempore FERRY ut IL o'clock m.
and prayer was offered by the chaplain.
Senator MORTON has returned from his visit
to Indiana and was in his seat.
Bills, petitions, &C., were presented and re-
ferred, as follows:
Petitions for the
SUPPRESSION OF TIE EVILS OF INTEMPKRANoF,
were presented by Messrs. CAMERON, of Pa,
DAWES and CRAGIN, which were referred to the
Committee on Finance.
Mr.. URAGIN, from the Committee on Naval
Affairs, reported back bill in relation to the re-
tired list of the navy, and asked its fndennite
postponement. So ordered.
Also, fayorably, a bill to regulate the quarter
master department Of the marine corps.
COURT TO DECIDE CONTESTED ELECTIONS, ETC.
MIR. WRIGHT offered bill to establish o
court for the trial of contested election cases in
elections for President and Vice President. He
said that he believed that the people were dis
posed and willing to settle all matters on this
point in a peaceable manner, and the bill which
he had offered provided for settling the contests
spoken Of by a peaceful method, and he believed
Congress had the power to pass such law. Dr.
dered printed and TO lie over. .g. =
By Mr.. CHAFFEE: A bill to amend the act to
establish the Denver and RIO Grands Railroad m 9sa
Pacific Railroads. ....-. ...-
Mr. EDMUNDS called up his resolution in re-
pa ssns
the two Houses in counting the electoral votes.
The present consideration was ordered, and the
Mr.. CLAYTON called up the bill for the relief
Of the officers and privatss Of the
FOURTH ARKANSAS CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS,
which was passed without amendment.
that when the Senate adjourn on Friday, the 22d
inst: it be to meet on January ). Ordered printed
Mr.. DORSEY called up the resolution instruct
ing the Committee on the District Of Columbia to
inquire into the expediency of repaving twenty
six streets and avenues in Washington; which
4 MI. WRIGHT asked that the bill to reduce,
.- THE PRESIDENTS SALARY
from $50 600 per annum to S25, 900 per snnum. and
which was vetoed at the last session by the Pres
MT. McCRARY said that Congress had been
trying for some time to count in President and
now they were confronted with the important
question of the Presidential compensation. He
thought that the Presidents reason given, that
SAT, 600 was inadequate. was rather sandy founda-
tion for yetoing the bill, inasmuch as any person
could spend more than their income If they had
the necessary capital or credit. From Washing
ton down to Grant the salary was considered suf-
He believed that the salaries of nearly all Gov
eminent officials were too great and would bear q
reduction. On the end of an appropriation bill
President 800 eO0, and he should vote for putting
the salary back to the old sum.
Mr.. BAYARD agreed with the President, and
thought $50 900 was none too much, and he would
vote to sustain the veto. .. ....-...
Mr. -CONKLING alluded to the manner in
which the salaries were raised, and said that un-
der the pressure Of public opinion not on account
of change in judgment, the law was repealed in
regard to all persons excepting the President. He
believed that S25 900 was as much for the Presi-
dent as IS 900 for member of Congress. He de-
sired to see the work all undone, and then, IL nec-
essary, appoint q commission, or such other steps
as might be necessary, to examine into all the
salaries Of officials and determine whether
changes were necessary. H.-. ..
MIR. HAMLIN agreed with the veto. and
thought $4,000 was none too much for the Presi-
dents's salary. It was well-known fact that
most Of
OUR PRESIDENTS RETIRE FROM OFFICE ABso-
LUTRLY POOR, o..
and he had IN various ways, BY indirection, con-
tributed to the actual support of Presidents after
they had left the once. . q '.
The vote was taken by yeas and nays, and the
question was lost .g
The vote in detail was as follows: