The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-10
SUNDRY CIVIL BILL,
lhe House Entertained by BiSes
Of California.
Al Amendment That Brought Out a YigOr-
Gus DanunCiation.
a proposition TO Allow Each Representative
a Secretary Denounced as a
Salary Grab"
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON. Feb. "a lively battle
occurred In the House to-day during the
consideration of the Sundry Civil Appropri-
a'oh Bill. An amendment was offered in
committee of the Whole to allow EACH men,
oef clerk or secretary at salary of 500
| per month during the session of Congress.
/ 1hiS attempt has been made annually for a
iohg time by members who think that their
uuties are just as oncrous and they are as
much emitted to have secretaries as the SEN
at"rs' The opposition to this amendment
was very decided. and the speech of
representative Biggs of California was
probably the most interesting made. either
ior or against the proposition.
when it becomes known that Blggs of
CALIFORNIA is going to speak on any subject
there Is the liveliest kind of interest in a
moment. Whatever may be said against
Digs oy his political enemies, one thing is
certain: When he rises to speak he always
commands the attention of the House in
| most fattering degree. The press gallery
may be empty when the old gentleman rises
IN MS place to address the Chair. but before
he proceeds far it is noised about that Biggs
Oh California has the floor, and the gallery
Is instantly filled. He generally selects his
own vantage ground too.
Alter he had caught the Speakers eye to-
day and had been recognized he ran back to
the rear OF the House and took his stand
beside Butterworth of Ohio, who cham
pioned the amendments to the bill providing
for clerks for the members. Without moro
aU0 BlppS sailed intn Ruftarmnrth nd
dicted that if the Ohio Congressman's name
was recorded among the ''ayes'' on this ni-
qultous salary-grabbing proposition his po-
iltlcal career would end dsaStrously, and
ne would not only be damned by his con-
stltuents but would also meet the same fate
IN the next world. [Great laughter.l Mr..
Blgss SAID that on this very proposition of
allowing clerks to Congressman (Which he
mad always opposed strongly, his constitu-
entS had Endorsed his action and had in
creased his majority from 700 to 1900. Ibid
Daniel Webster or Henry Clay ever vote
for salary grab?" With voice Of thunder
Biggs shouted mo, and called for glass
oil water lie said that any man who voted
for this selfish scheme would merit a politi-
cal damnation, and he expressed his fervid
belief and hope that every man who sup
ported the salary grab would go to (here
the hammer fell.)
"For Gods sake Mr.. Speaker. give me a
little more time" This request was granted
by very unanimous consent and this was
his peroration: ' MIR. Speaker, / have so
far withstood the temptation that is offered
on every hand in Congressional life, and
now, in the autumn of my political career,
when am about to retire in the full belief
that my good constituents love and honor
me, am resolved to resist any temptation
to selGShly promote my own private inter-
eSts by imposing heavier tax on my con-
stituents, whose burdens are hard enough
to bear under existing circumstances. My
services in Congress belong to the people,
and l expect to receive no reward, except
the salary which is fairly allowed me under
the existing law. With this compensation /
will be content, If, in addition, at the close
OF my career L merit and receive the COM
mendalion of my people in the expression,
We'll done, good and faithful servant"
[ApplauSe.l
A further amendment was offered and
adopted increasing the salary of clerks to
members to Sc per day during the session of
Congress-the same compensation that is al
lowed secretaries 10 Senators. This amend
ment must pass the open house, and some
members who favored it in Committee of
the Whole will be loath to have their names
recorded AYE" on what may be- called a
salary grab" However, it is the general
poiol tH.tt tho houSe VIII pass IL ana lHe
Senate Will do likewise, because each Sena-
tor has an ak TO grind himself. They are
trying to have the salaries of their own sec
retarles paid ad interim.
Representative Vandeyer says he is not in
favor of the House amendment. He OBJ
served that the Democrats were always
ready to indulge in all kinds OF extrava-
gences when they did not have to pay for
them. He said that this particular indul-
genee would be charged up to the Republi-
can Congress, while the Democrats would
reap all the benefits. Another reason Gen
eral Vandever assigned for his opposition is
the fact that under this ARRANGEMENT the
floor CT the House will always be crowded
with clerks and secretaries, and it is over
crowded under the present conditions