New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-06-18

Senate pays from 20 to 40 per cent more than the
House.
The truth is, the Democrats of the House are in
fix about this matter when they came into power,
as earnest of the economy which might be ex-
pected, they reduced the salaries of the House en-
ployes below q living rate. They tried for four
years to compel the Republican Senate to do the
same thing, but did not succeed Now they find
that they cannot bulldoze the Democratic Senate
either. The House officers and employees point out
and complain of the inconsistency and injustice OF
the inequality but the Democrats of the House are
rather afraid at present to raise the wages of their
own servants.
The Republicans greatly enjoyed the family quar-
rel among the Democrats to-day and they assisted
Mr.. Townshend, who seldom manages to get on the
right side of any question, to secure a hearing.
One of the amendments pending to the Legisla-
tive bill which attracted little attention. aud which
was agreed to by the House without a division,
provides that each Senator and Representative
shall receive an allowance of $125 for stationery
for the extra session, making in all about $4,000
When this allowance was first made it under
stood to be for whole Congress. 1t has recently
been voted for each regular session. Now it is
voted for this extra session of three months. 1t is
quite evident that this Democratic Congress does
not intend to deprive itself of any perquistes it is
possible to SEIZE however much the wages of labor
ers may have to be cut down the plea of
economy.
After the Legislative bill was disposed of, the
House took up the remarkable bill reported from
the Committee on Civil Service Reform, which for
bids any Federal ofice-holder or employe, or any
person holding claim against the Government, or
any Government contractor, from contributing or
promising to contribute any money, labor, time or
other valuable thing toward carrying on an elec-
ton. The House was RECALLED with a twO-hours
harangue by Mr.. McLane of Maryland, who drew
fearful picture Of the corruption of the Republican
party. Mr.. McLane Is not an impressive, though he
is an earnest speaker. He is a fussy old
gentleman. who was Democratic member of the
House in the days of Fillmore aud Pierce, when POI
lcal corruption and political assessments and con-
tributions were things unknown. The illusions
made by Republicans to Floyd and Thompson and
Cobb failed to strike responsive chord in Mr.. Nc
Lanes memory; and Mr.. COnger pleasantly sug-
gested that the gentleman appeared to have been
enjoying a Rip Van Wrinkle sleep during the last
| twenty years.
Mr.. Conger characterized the measure an in
famous one, and pointed that it proposed to de-
prve even pensioners, who are among the persons
classed as holding claims against the Government.
of the privilege of contributing money or any other
pies for which they had fought and bled.
! Mr.. McLane was often interrupted by the Repub-
Leans, who sought light on certain provisions OF the
bill and he became much excited that he charged
the Republicans with opposing the measure solely
from corrupt political motives:
Mr. Conger characterized this as an Infamous as
sertiOn.
| General Hawley called Mr. McLane to order and
demanded that his words be taken down. The
| morning hour had long expired, and Mr. McLane
was proceeding by the suifarance of the Repub-
lcans who rather enjoyed his extravaganza, and so
notwithstanding his offensive remark he was al
| lowed to fnish his speech.
Mr.. Herbert, of Alabama, who has charge of the
Test Oath and Jurors bill, then tried to force It
through the House under the gag rule. General
| Garfield pointed out that substantially the same
provisions are contained IN the Judicial Appropria-
ton BILL which has already passed both houses, and
he asked Mr. Herbert to let the bill lie over until
the fate of that measure has been determined. Mr.
Herbert refused, and kept the House for two hours
trying to get quorum, which II failed to do. The
Alabama statesman tried to hold his party friends
together for all-night session, but found 1T i'm
possible.
The Republicans have made up their minds that
no Objectionable partisan scheme brought for
ward by the Democrats during the remainder of the
session shall succeed. They have from the begin
ming been ready at all times to do anything TO
further the business for which Congress called
together but have steadily resisted TO the extent of
their ability all general legislation intended or
likely to disturb the business interests OF the
country.
Mr. Singleton of Mississippi to-day tried to In
duce the House to order the mutiated report OF
Mr. Glover. formerly member OF the House, to be
printed; bat Mr.. COnger, whose vigilance never
sleeps promptly defeated the attempt. The Demo
Gratis have score of schemes equally Objectionable
which they ready to force through If they can
get an opportunity.