The record-union., 1891-02-10
The Matter Creates a Lively Bat
tie in the House.
REPRESENTATIVE BIGGS SPEAKS ON
THE SUBJECT.
He Characterizes the Amendment as a
salary-Grabbing Scheme, and Says
That Every Member Who Votes for
the Proposition VIII Merit Poiiti-
cal Condemnation at the Hands of
His Constituents.
Special to the REcoRD-UNroN.

occurred in the House to-day during the
consideration of the sundry civil appro-
prlalon bill. An amendment was offered
IN Committee of the Whole to allow each
member clerk or secretary at n salary
OF SlCo per month during the session of
congress. This attempt has been made
annually for long time by members
who think that their duties are inst as
onerous and they are entitled to have sec
retaries as well as the Senators.
The opposition to this amendment was
very decioed. The speech of Represent
tive Biggs, OF California, was probably
the most interesting made either for or
against the proposition. When it be-
comes known that ''Biges of California;
is going TO speak on any subject there is
the liveliest kind Of Interest in a moment
y hatever may be said against Biggs by
ms polillcal enemies, one thing is certain,
thGt when he rises TO speak he always
commands the attention Of the House in
q most fiattering degree. The press gal
lery may be empty when the old gentle
man rises IN his place TO address the
chair, but before he proceeds far, It is
noised about that Biggs of California has
the floor, and the gallery is Instantly
hilcd. lie generally selects his own van
tage ground, too.
After he had caught the Speakers eve
to-day, and had been recognized. he ran
back to the rear of the House and took a
stand beside Butterworth Of Ohio, who
ehalnpioned the amendments for clerks
10 the members. Without more ado
biggs sailed into Butterworth, and pre-
dicted that ii the Ohio Congressnan's
name was recorded among the ''ayes', on
this iniquity salary grabbing proposition
MS Pohtcal career would end disas-
trcusly, and he would not only be
damned by his constituents, but would
also meet the same fate in the next world
[Great laughter
Mr.. BiggS said that on this very propo-
sltion of allowing clerks to Congressman
(which he had always opposed stoutly)
his constituents had indorsed his action,
and had Increased his majority from 700
to 1,50O
did Daniel Webster or Henry Clay
ever vote for salary grab?'' With a
voice of thunder Biggs shouted MOI
and called tor glass OF water
lie said that any men who voted for
this selfish scheme would merit political
damnation, and he expressed feryid be-
lief and hope that every man who sup
ported the salary grab would go to-(here
the hammer fell.
For Gods sake, Mr.. Speaker. ofye mo
a little more time"
Ihis request was granted by very un-
animous consent, and this was his pre-
servation:
"Mr. Speaker, I have so far withstood
temptation offered on every hand in Con-
gressional life, and now in the autum of
my poiltlcal career, when 1 am about to
retire in the full belief that nv good con-
stituents love and honor me, 1 am re-
solved to resist any temptation to selfishly
promote my own private interests by i'm
posing a heavier tax on my constituents.
whose burdens are hard enough to bear
under existing circumstances.
My services in Congress belong to the
people, and 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 adj
dltlon, at the close Of my career merit
and receive the commendation of NV
people in the expression, We'll done.
good and faithful servant - GApplause.l
A further amendment was offered and
adopted Increasing the salary of clerks to
members to SO per day during the session
Of Congress-the same compensation that
is allowed secretaries to Senators. This
amendment must pass the operl House.
and some members who favored it in
Committee of the Whole will be 10th to
have their names recorded aye on what
may be called salary grab.
However, it is the general belief that
the House will pass 1t, and that the Sem
ate will do likewise, because each Sena-
tor has an ak to grind himself. They
are trying to have the. salaries of their
own secretaries paid ad interim.
Representative Vandever says he is not
in favor of the House amendment. He
observed that the Democrats were always
ready to indulge in all kinds of extrav-
agances when they did not have to paw
for them. He said that this particular in
diligence would be charged up to the Re-
publican Congress, while the Democrats
would reap all the benefits. Another
reason General Vandever assigned for
his opposition, is the fact that under this
arrangement the floor of the House will
be always crowded with clerks and Sec
retaries, and it is overcrowded under the
present conditions.