The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1906-12-15

Senators and Representatives 81 800 a
Year-President to Send Six Special
Messages to ongress--Moody to Don
judicial Robes Next Monday.
Washington, Dec. 15.-The house of
representatives was brought face to
face with the proposition to increase
the salaries of its own members, sena-
tors, the vice president, the speaker of
the house and members of the presi-
dents cabinet while the legislative,
executive and judicial appropriation
bill was under consideration. While
the house passed favorably on the
proposition as applied to other officials,
it refused to make the order for mem
bers of either house of congress.
Mr. Littauer (N. ", who declined
reelection to the house presented an
amendment raising the salaries of the
vice president and the speaker of the
house to $4,000 per annum each. He
spoke of the dignity of the position of
the speaker of the house and said that
everybody recognized that the duties
We're arduous and that the pay was I'M
equal to the positioE
Salary Raises Opposed.
Mr.. Esnderwood (Ala) said that he
was opposed to any further increase
of salaries along the line of legislative
and executive offices. He further said
he believed the salaries of the minor
clerks Of. the government should be in
creased on account of the increased
cost of living. His contention was that
salaries are paid to members of con
gress so that poor man might come
to congress and represent his constitu-
ents. He said he would not contend
that congressman could live in Wash
ington and keep pace with modern SO
ciety.
After other speeches the amendment
was adopted by a vote of 214 to 81,
the opposition failing to secure votes
enough to call the. ayes and nays.
Mr.. Littauer then introduced anoth-
er amendment as follows:
"On and after March 4, 1907, the
compensation of heads of executive
departments who are members of the
presidents cabinet shall be at the rate
of $4,000 per annum each'
Cabinet Members Disadvantage.
During the course of his remarks on
this amendment Mr.. Littauer held up
a large picture of a president of
baseball association, whose salary had
been increased from $4,000 to $4,000
a year, and contrasted that with the
salaries paid members of the cabinet
The amendment was opposed by Mr..
Mann 1ll), but was adopted by a vote
of 204 to 60.
The amendment SO closely concern
ing the members themselves followed
Immediately after the amendment
raising the salaries of members of the
cabinet. Mr.. Littauer offered a pro
vision raising the salaries of senators
and members of congress, delegates
and the resident commissioner from
Porto Rico to $500, and on agree
ment the time for the increase to be-
gin was fixed on March 4, 1907.
Mr.. Boutelle Gill; said he was op-
posed to the proposition to increase sal
aries of members Several others
spoke in opposition to the amendment.
Poor Congressman Speaks.
Representative Clark F'la.) was ac-
corded an ovation when he announced
that he desired TO discuss the question
from the standpoint of a poor man.
He called attention to the fact that
men are leaving the service of the
country and returning to private life
solely because the salary which they
receive in official positions was made
quate
Others who spoke in favor of the
amendment were Representative Gros-
venor (O) and Sims and Gaines
(Tenn.). The amendment was defeated
by vote of 135 to 161.
Six special messages are to be sent
to congress next week by President
Roosevelt They include one on the
naval personnel bill, which conteln-
plates the more rapid retirement and
promotion of the officers of the navy;
a message transmitting Secretary Met
calf's report on the alleged discrimina-
tion against the Japanese in San Fran
cisco, a special message on Panama,
message on the public land question,
transmitting Secretary Taft's report
on Cuba and reply to the senate reso.
luton calling for information regard
ing the discharge without honor of the
negro soldiers.
Moody to Retire Next Week.
1t is announced that Attorney Gen
eral Moody will retire from his present
Office on Monday to go on the supreme
court bench.-and Secretary Of the Navy
Bonaparte will then take his place at
the head Of the depazment Of justice.
Secretary Metcalf, who now has the
commerce and labor portfolio, will
then succeed Mr.. Bonaparte as secre-
tary of the navy, and Oscar S. Straus
will become secretary of commerce and
labor.
Secretary Shaw, 1t was officially an
nounced, will not give up the treasury
portfolio until March 4 next, and Mr..
'Cortelyou who is to succeed him, viii
continue as postmaster general in the
meantime