The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-03-28


very frequently hold afternoon and night
sessions Instead of holding night sessions OF
the House II would be far wiser in the opinion OF ex
perienced members, to authorize the principal
mittees to sit regularly during the sessions OF the
House. This would thin the House somewhat but the
leaders OF both sides always in attendance and are
able call in members from the committee on
emergency, or for vote without delay In this
way investigation, which must be the chief work OF the
session. could 80 on far rapidly and enectually,
and business in the House would not be hindered in
the least AT present there good deal OF H. regulated
zeal In the conduct or business which delay,
hndrance and needless worry. What is wanted is
more systematic arrangement OF the work.
THE SALARIES OF DEPARTMENT cLERKs-A
CONTRAST WITH THE PAY OF coNoREssMKN-
AN UNCERTAIN TENURE OF oPFIcE-REFoRMs
GREATLY NEEDED.
The proposed reduction in the pay OF department
clerks has created great deal Of feeling here because
II is proposed reduce from the original
salaries. The salaries of rst second third aud fourth
class clerks fixed IN 1858 and have not been
raised since. During the period OF very high prices
the clerks received from Congress several occasions
gratuites for single year each time The salaries OF
chief clerks fixed at So 900 1857 and have been
raised since 1867 to from 81, 100 to $500 1t
clerks from salaries fixed 1858, which hardly
fair Tor there doubt that the expenses OF living
have not diminished but rather increased since then.
The proposed reduction has caused examination OF
the saiaries Of members or the House. with which II
has proper relation, because the pay of Congress-
men cannot be expected TO be graduated by the pay
OF department clerks Members oil the House received
originally So per day. This increased to S.,
then to $500 per annum, and this was
reduced again to So day. At this it
remained until 1855, when II was made So, 900 per
annum in 1866 was increased TO s., 900; IN 1878 1t
to 81 5O0 in tho spring OF 1874 this repealed
aud the pay set back to $4,000 The clerks that
II Congross proposes make uniform reduction, II
should strike percentage from its pay rate IN
1885, which $4,000 per anpum. Members who
favor this say that Congressman receives two years.
pay for only nine ten months actual
vice. the short session lasting three months and
the long session rarely over They add that
lawyer merchant serving in Congress does not ser
ousy neglect his regular business practice and,
he usually to his regular pursuits after serving
two sessions the experience and prestige he has
gained by his public position Is almost always Of great
pecuniary benefit TO him. Those who urge these con-
siderations add that at forty five hundred dollars
year members receive nine thousand dollars mileage
and some valuable perqusites for nine months
moro than Cabinet Minister Judge ofthe supreme
Court gets and It is suggested that II the pay
duced TO three thousand dollars per amman less
money would be spent for electioneering purposes.
But the grievance OF the department clerks is really
the smaness the diminuton Of their pay,
but the uncertainty OF their tenure In Office and the
political oxactions made which are also OF an uncer
tain character. What with assessments and the OK
pense OF going home to vote. and the possibility Of
being turned out ut any moment, matter how faith
fuI capable thcy have been, and for no greater
than that they have incurred the anger Of
Congressman. tho department clerks have fewer in
ducements to faithful than any other class In
the country. II is u pity that this matter could
not have a thorough discussion IN the House at
this time when the proposed reduction of salaries is
debated To make tho places of clerks permanent dur
ing good behavior make them by law residents Of the
District Of Columbia, and thus deprive them OF the
and all political functions. exact proper labor
from them, such as q merchant does from his clerks,
and establish promotion for merit and small retiring
pension for, say twenty of faithful services,
would easy enough, and It would be reform
worth making. But 1t would deprive members OF Con-
gss of what many OF them and those the least useful
public servants value more than their pay, that
is, OF their patronage, which Is, after ali, the most
troublesome and satisfactory part Of the perqui
Pt~<coe'V1s@
ing politician.
OVER GOVERNOR AMEs' coURsE-AN INQUIRY
REGARDING THE MOVEMENTS OF YEpERAL
TROOPS IN THE STATE.
Mississippi republicans here are puzzled and disap-
pointed the conduct OF Governor Amcs In refusing
to nominate a Lieutenant Governor DAVIS
who recently resigned. Tho law made ii the duty OF
the Governor TO ill the vacancy and II had been agreed
upon that he should appoint Mr.. Musgrove banker
OF Jackson citizen held in high by both par
ties, and voted for by the democrats for State
officer, but for some when Davis resigned the
Governor backed out and republicans hint that il
because no anxious TO mako terms for him
self with the democrats who have npcached him,
than TO appoint tho vacant Office a man who would
have been trusted leader for the republicans the
State and who was rejected just courageous and
conservative man.
Il openly said that had Mr. Musgrove boon APP
pointed the republicans could have carried the State
fall II must be admitted However, that his ap-
pointmcnt would have made the removal Of Governor
Ames on impeachment matter OF indifference TO tho
best republicans in Mississippi The latest
ceved here IRON Jackson leaves little doubt that
Amos will bc removed unless he shall have made
bargain with the democrats Mr.. Morcy. OF Missis-
sippi will tomorrow introduce resolution inquiring
why troops have recently been sent into several
counties OF mississippi for what purpose and by whose
command. Letters received here state that federal
troops have suddenly, and for apparent cause APP
peared in two three Mississippi counties and the
inhabitants anxious TO know what Is all about
THE SUPREME COURT DECISION ON THE IN
FoRcKMENT CASKS.
The decision OF tho Supreme Court delivered to-day
by the Chief Justice, In tho Grant parish case
and the Kentucky election case. Indirectly declaring
the enforcement act unconstitutional, caused good
deal or cxcItement among republican politicians this
evening. Some OF them declare that loses the whole
South 10 the republicans and that imperis tho Pres
ldsntial election for their party