The Evening critic., 1884-02-27
WIVES AS SECRETARIES

Wash. Cor. N. Y. Sun.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.--For the first time IN
the history OF tho Government the Senator'S
nave Vpteu themselves private secretaries,
with salaries TO bo paid out OF the contingent
fund Mt 80 day. The best evidence that the
Senators who voted for this grab know II 10 bs
wrong and mean, Ia the fact that tho na,nes OF
the new o11lclals are concealed from tho pub
lie. The sorgeant-at-Arms aud other officers
who are brought into contact with these secre-
ierlee are forbidden to give any Information
about them. But this attempt at concealment
has provoked curiosity, and II has been dis
covered that In some cases tho wives, daugh.
ters, sons and other relatives OF tho favored
Senators have been chosen for the placesi
In erect, this IL an indirect method OF In
creasing the. salary. OF Senators about u
thousand dollars year for an entire Con-
grcse.
when the contingent fund of the Senate
thall be Increased beyond the usual grant to
cover tho pay ofthe new secretaries, tho Com
inittee on Appropriations In the House will
Hsk come unpleasant questions, with tho cer-
talnty OF an unsatiefactory answer. The SEN
contingent fund, and wo do not propose that
you shall interfere with IT," Mr.. Holman,
who has charge OF the Legislative bill, may
yours or ours 10 spend rs We please for per-
sonal uses. We are here TO guard the expsndl-
ures and TO protect tho Treasury. We viii not
vote this extraordinary itom.'
Thereupon tho committees OF conference
VIII separate and report their disagreement.
one or the other must give way or the bill VIII
Ue iOhl. fhr Detter 10 lOse ~ tnun Tor tue House
TO yield TO thiB disgraceful demand.
The House OF Representatives set n good OK
ample In regard to tho disposition of the con-
tingent fund, even for proper purpose ABOUT
which there could be no dispute. Mr.. Hopkins
reported Joint resolution last Saturday from
tho committee which Is investigating the
charges OF Keifer against Boyton, rs follows
"ReSolrtd, Oy tie Senate and House Of Repre-
Sentdtres, That the Clerk OF the House OF Rep-
resentatives be, md he ia hereby, authorized to
pay out OF the contingent fund OF tho House OF
Representatives all the expenses incurred by
tho committee appointed to Investigate charges
against II. V. Boynton."
II was suggested that simple resolution OF
the House nlono would be n sufficient warrant
for this expenditure from the contingent fund,
as the committee was acting under au order OF
the House. But the form of Joint resolution
was adopted, thus acknowledging the right OF
tho Senate to voice In the control OF tho con-
tingent fund OF tho House.
When the Senate, therefore, shall assume
exclusive authority over Its own contingent
expenses, ana claim tue right to pay the new
secretaries six dollars day, without au-
thorlty OF law, the House Will bo I'm condition
TO oppose that extravaganza, and to refer 10
this vote on the Joint resolution as guide for
parliamentary action. The Senate has as.
sumed TO create new oflces Without the consent
OF the House. But the money has not yet been
appropriated to pay these secretaries, aud
Il Is not likely to be voted by tine Representa-.
tives.