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MAY 8, 1834.]

The General Appropriation Bill.

fere in the fixed compensation of our custom-house and other officers. And, if the currency of the country had been suffered to remain in the hands of those to whom it properly belonged, he would have been content to have remained a silent spectator of passing events. But this has not been allowed; and when he himself, in common with the whole business part of the community, began to feel the grinding operations of this fatal experiment, he thought it was time to look into the receipts and disbursements of the money of the people, and see if all was going on with regularity and economy. And, sir, said he, I confess that, in looking into this matter, I have been startled at the progressive and accumulating expenditures of the Government for the last five years. We are going on, lavishing millions upon mere political partisans, under cover of compensation for services performed. We are increasing our departments, our clerks, and our custom-house officers, beyond all former example. There is in the collection of our customs a looseness and extravagance that must forcibly strike every honest man, be him of what party he may. We are paying to weigh

[H. or R.

Have you not increased the expenses millions per annum? Have you not added one-third, or nearly so, to the number of subordinate officers?

Here is the record, said Mr. V., to prove my position on both sides, (holding up the report of the Committee of Retrenchment in one hand, and the Blue Book in the other.

Now, sir, I propose to compromise this question with the supporters of this administration, and to say to them, if they will bring back the expenses of this Government, not to the days of Jefferson, but to those of the late administration, or even within a million per annum of that administration which was put down for its extravagance and prodigality, I will be content. This, said Mr. V., is no high-wrought picture of your former professions: here is the book!-your own report! covering two hundred pages: witnesses examined under oath; all going to prove the profligate character of the last administration, and making loud professions of what you would do if the good people of the United States would put the reins of Government into your hands. Sir, said Mr. V., here is

ers and markers from $2,000 to 7,000 per annum. The the bond; and I call upon you to comply with its prostruggle does not appear to be who shall be foremost in visions. Give us practice instead of professions, or you

building up and sustaining the interests of the country, by adding facilities to our commercial intercourse at home and abroad; but our patriotism appears to have dwindled down to a mere mercenary scramble for dollars and cents; or, who shall be most successful in drawing money from the treasury for services which are never performed. And, sir, we are gravely told by gentlemen that, if we restrict those officers in the amount of compensation now

will stand convicted before the American people as sporting with their credulity, and relying on their gullibility.

Sir, said Mr. V., in times gone by, the theme of retrenchment was one that the friends of this administration delighted to dwell upon. It is amusing to look back upon those times, and to examine the tables of figures and comparative statements then made out by these gentlemen to show how extravagant were the expenditures

received, they will be tempted to barter their honor, and of the late administration, and how economical they might compromise their integrity, from selfish and mercenary be if they had their supervision and control.

dmotives of gain. Sir, said Mr. V., this is a doctrine that Why, sir, said Mr. V., this whole book (holding up

I do not believe; and if gentlemen will name any individual in the habit of using this argument, he would at once say to the President, dismiss him from the service of the Government.

the celebrated retrenchment report) is made up almost exclusively of these tables and comparative statements. Well, sir, they have got the control, and it is now my time to present comparative statements, and here they

Sir, is the sum of 3,000 dollars per annum to a collect- are. Gentlemen may take them to their rooms, and look or, 2,500 dollars per annum to a surveyor and naval offi- at them, and detect errors if they can, for they are from cer, and 2,000 dollars per annum to weighers, gaugers, the official record, with day and date.

markers, and appraisers, (duties that can be performed

EXPENSES OF CONGRESSs.

Contingent expenses of Congress. $85,289 00 66,745 25

by any business man of integrity in the country;) are

these salaries so insignificant in amount as not to command Years.

Compensation of mem

the requisite talent and integrity to perform their duties 1825 without subjecting them to the temptation of fraud and 1826 corruption? Sir, this cannot be believed for a moment 1827 in the country from whence I come.

bers of Congress. $496,551 48 426,611 20

321,299 00

90,666 25

1828

Why are not all our State officers corrupted? They 1829 perform more labor for much less money. Under your 1830 present system, you pay to a mere weigher, whose duties 1831 can be performed by any mechanic or laborer of good 1832 character, competent to solve a question in the rule of three, near 7,000 dollars per annum--a sum larger in amount than is paid to all the four supreme judges of Years. Ohio. And even by this amendment, he will receive 1825 double as much as is paid to the governor of that State; 1826 and still gentlemen complain of low salaries.

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1827

Sir, I have heretofore presented to the consideration of 1828 the Committee of the Whole certain views on this sub-1829 ject. I have heretofore called their attention to the in- 1830 crease of Government expenditures under the present 1831 administration, as compared with those of 1802, and of 1852 the last administration. I have reminded the supporters of the present administration that they came into power under the professed declaration that they were to restore the Government expenditures to the Jeffersonian stand. ard; that they were to lop off one-third of all the officers, and that the most rigid economy was to be adhered to in every department. Has this been the case? Have the expenses of Government been reduced one-third? Has one-third of the officers been dispensed with, and lopped off? Is not the reverse, in every particular, the fact?

From this it results that, during the first four years of reform, the expenditure under each of the above heads was greater than that under Mr. Adams, byFor compensation to members of Congress, Contingencies, Salaries of President, Vice Presidents, heads of departments, clerks, &c. Contingent expenses of executive officers,

$165,000 57,000

do.

do.

149,000 90,000

$461,000 82,052 4 3,905 F

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117,709 96

tions:

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H. or R.]

The General Appropriation Bill.

[MAT 8, 1834.

Next comes expenditures on account of foreign rela- to the member, that in this he is entirely mistaken. Ion

derstand this matter at least as well as the member him-
self, if we are to judge of the extent of his information
from the evidence he has given to us in this debate. The
member says there is no appropriation in this bill to
being
custom-house officers; and, there being no such appre
priation, this reduction cannot apply.

pay

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1832

168,847 51

77,849 18

Sir, this is the old story: perfectly consistent to increase salaries in appropriation bills, but not to reduce them. Does not the member know that his colleague (Mr. CAMBRELENG] has introduced a section into this very bill, by

Here, again, the reform exceeds the previous adminis way of amendment, to permit custom-house officers to

tration by-

come to the Treasury for their compensation, on the dats of the amount of duties paid in 1832?

In salaries and outfits to ministers, &c.

$59,000

Here Mr. V. read the amendment, as follows:

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"Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized to pay $170,000 to the collectors, naval officers, surveyors, clerks, gaugers, weighers, provers, markers, and measurers of the several ports of the United States, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such suris as will give to the said officers, respectively, the skine compensation in the year 1833, according to the imports. tions of that year, as they would have been entitled to receive if the act of 14th July, 1832, had not gone into effect."

Total expenditures.
$23,585,805 72
24,103,398 46
22,656,764 04
25,459,479 52

25,044,358 40

24,585,281 55

30,038,436 12

34,356,698 06

The increase of expenditure for reform, under this head, is only eighteen millions! Against this it is to be said that, during the four years of reform, twelve millions more of the public debt were paid off than during the preceding four years; leaving still an increase to be accounted for in glory! of six millions.

The member from New Jersey, [Mr. PARKER,] in his defence of this increase of custom-house officers, says it was necessary to prevent smuggling under your high tariff of 1828. Sir, that tariff went into operation under the late administration; and during the continuance of the four years of that administration, the increase of offi. was one single in

cers in the custom-house at New York dividual.

Will not this be an appropriation, if it should succeed Certainly it will, and that to an extent that will be start ling to those who shall turn their attention to this subject, and see the amount of money that is going out of the treasury day after day by a similar amendment in the ap propriation bill of the last year.

Sir, (said Mr. V.,) by this amendment you permit the higher officers of the customs to come into the Treasury without restraint, for the whole of their compensatice,"

* TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

AUDITOR'S OFFICE, May 7, 1534

Sir: In compliance with the request contained in the scomp to this nying letter of the honorable Leonard Jarvis, referred fice, " to be furnished with a statement of the several officers the ports of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charl ton, and New Orleans, who have received the supplemen compensation from the Treasury, the amount thus received each, and the amount of compensation received by them ext sive of this additional allowance," I have the honor to state th the weighers of Boston, (who received an equal amount of or pensation each,) Mr. Joseph Loring, Thomas M. Vinson, Natha

That administration was put down for its alleged prodigality, and a wanton disregard of economy in the expenditure of the money of the dear people, and the party to which the gentleman belongs was elevated in its stead, iel Tracy, John M. Fiske, A. H. Ward, Theo. Dexter, and Juan under professions, "long and loud," that they would re- Estabrook, have received extra compensationduce the expenditures at least one-third, throughout For 1833,

every branch of the public service. How have these pledges been redeemed? Why, sir, in the custom-house of New York, in the five years you have had the Government in your hands, you have nearly doubled the officers. But suppose every thing as strictly correct that the gentleman alleges, and that the officers had to be increased to meet the high duties of 1828, is it not now proper to

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bring them down to the low duties of 1834? The gentle-ers of New York, fourteen in number, viz: David Poore, T man will not now pretend that there is danger of smugas Kirk, Jeremiah Brown, P. B. Hoffman, A. Bleecher, J. W gling, when a large portion of the fine goods that were Hallett, T. Hazard, J. Tallman, A. S. Depeyster, Edward Cop most subject to such abuses, come in at present free of er, John Franklin, Elihu H. De Camp, Lewis Leutrilii, and all duties. Sir, I say, without hesitation, that, in the city J. Stevens, have received extra compensation

of New York alone, more than one hundred of these offi- For 1833,

cers may be disinissed without prejudice to the public And they had previously received

service; and even then you will be allowed twenty-five

per centum increase during the term this administration has been in power, upon the officers in that city. If this increase of five per centum per annum is not sufficient to satisfy hungry expectants for official station, I know not what rate of per centage will satiate their cormorant appetites. The gentleman from New York [Mr. GILLET] appears to think that I am not aware of the manner in which custom-house officers are paid. Permit me to say

815,307 +1

29,615 19

$44,926 30

The other officers attached to New York have no claira for extra compensation.

The weigher of Philadelphia received extra compensation
For 1833,
And had previously received
:

$5,945 21

MAT 8, 1834.]

The General Appropriation Bill.

[H. OF R.

which the law had intended should be paid by the per that my colleague ought to have known that the constitucentage on imported articles and the fees of office, and tion prohibited any such clause; but, if it had not, I would to distribute those fees and this per centage among their myself have had no disposition to reduce their present retainers and dependants. compensation. Sir, with my consent, the salary of old Sir, (said Mr. V.,) I know we are gravely told that, Chief Justice Marshall, and his associates, should never unless this section be agreed to, you will leave the col-go below your Secretaries; but, under our present syslectors, surveyors, naval officers, weighers, gaugers, tem, I regret to say, that they are made secondary in markers, and appraisers in debt. How is this result point of compensation, not only to our Secretaries, but to brought about? Why, by these officers keeping in their our weighers, gaugers, and markers of the customs. And employ a host of inspectors, clerks, night watch, &c., not these are the gentlemen that my colleague fears to touch, necessary to the public service. For, under your present lest an aristocracy should be brought into existence, and

regulations, a collector, with the consent of the Secretary of the Treasury, can appoint subordinates without limit. By the amendment I have just read for the information of the House, you release the collectors from all necessity

that all the offices of the country should be thrown into the hands of the rich. How long since my colleague became a convert to this doctrine? Did he preach it in 1827, during the canvass that brought him and his party

of observing economy in the administration of their de- into power? If he did, all I can say is, his coadjutors in partments. You throw the door of the Treasury open to my part of the State sang to a very different gamut. I them and their principal officers; and you, in effect, say to do not know what was then the opinion of my colleague, them, Distribute your millions accruing from the per but I should much question whether he then held the centage and fees allowed by law (and which was intend- same opinions now expressed. If there is great danger ed to cover the whole expenses of collection) amongst in this thing of raising up an aristocracy by paying low four subordinates and dependants. salaries, my colleague and my myself are in imminent danger Sir, (said Mr. V.,) I have no disposition to do injustice of being overwhelmed by it, and we should be up and any of our public officers; but, from the consideration doing to avert the calamity; for, as I have before stated, have bestowed on the subject, I am constrained to say, one of these weighers and markers receives more money that great injustice will be done to the tax-paying people for his annual compensation than is paid to the four af this country, by keeping this army of officers any judges of our Supreme Court. Sir, this may all be right, longer in the employ of the Government. Then why but I have great doubts whether the substantial yeomannot at once dismiss them, and permit the regular fees of ry of Ohio can be made to swallow this doctrine, alfice, and the percentage on imported articles to go, though it may come under the high sanction of Jackwhere it ought to go, to the payment of the regular and sonism. secessary officers, without permitting them to come into My colleague complains at the attempt to create a beThe Treasury, without restraint, and under an unlimited lief in the country of hard times; a depreciation in the Appropriation? price of our products; and distress in the money market.

My colleague [Mr. LEAVITT] complains that this He acknowledges that wheat has declined a little, but mendment is too important in its character to go into an says that other articles are selling higher than at former appropriation bill; but, before he concludes, he is dis- periods. Josed to censure me because it was not extended still

Will my colleague specify what those other articles urther, and made still more important. He asks why are?-is it pork, beef, tobacco, or whiskey? These, if I have not brought the army and navy into this general mistake not, are all staples of the district of my colleague, duction? Why, sir, the answer is at hand: there is now and, if I am not misinformed, have all fallen in price. A bill on your orders to regulate the pay in both these gentleman, who belongs to the same party with my colWanches of the public service. But why, says my col- league, from Ohio, now in this city, told me yesterday eague, is not the Judiciary included? This is still a more that such was the fact. And, in addition to this evidence

traordinary interrogatory; but I should have supposed

The naval officer and surveyor of Philadelphia claim extra
mpensation for 1833; but the amount due them cannot be as-
Sertained from the returns they have made to the Treasury.
The naval officer received in 1833,

Burveyor,

of the decline in the prices of our staple productions in Ohio, I have the testimony of some fourteen or fifteen hundred petitions now on your table, going to sustain every thing that I have said on this subject.

My colleague says that I have been here many years $2,450 85 as a member, and alleges that, during that time, the great 1,295 96 staples of Ohio had sold at as low prices as at present, extra com- and asks why nothing had been done heretofore to reduce

The collector and naval officer of Baltimore claim
haation for 1833; but the amount due them cannot be ascertain- salaries, and benefit the agricultural interests.
from the returns they have made to the Treasury.

The collector received in 1833,

Naval officer,

The surveyor of Baltimore received extra in 1833,
And had previously received

The weigher of Baltimore received extra in 1833,
And had previously received

It is true, as my colleague alleges, that, since my ser$2,968 16 vice here, prices for the staples of Ohio were equally as 1,842 18 low as at the present time; but that depression was hot the result of presidential experiment, but resulted from $257 69 very different causes, most of which have been removed 1,489 14 by the enterprise of our State, in the construction of her $1,746 83 canals, and the opening to her citizens new channels of communication, and different markets in which to vend their productions. But my colleague is much mistaken, if he supposes I was inattentive to the interests of Ohio at the time to which he refers. Sir, the representation of $5,682 27 Ohio, at that day, presented on this floor an undivided front in favor of creating a home market for her productions, in which she was successful beyond her most san

$2,206 14
3,476 13

None of the officers attached to the ports of Charleston and
New Orleans have as yet made any claim for extra compensation guine expectations.

for 1833.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. HARRISON.

Hon. ROGER B. TANEY, Secretary of the Treasury.

Sir, I am aware it will be a digression from the subject under consideration, to go into this matter of a home market, but, with the indulgence of the House, I will touch upon it very briefly.

To those who have witnessed the early struggles and

H. or R.]

The General Appropriation Bill.

[MAT 8, 1854

progressive strides of the youthful and vigorous people these articles for your army and navy confined to th (in part represented by my colleague and myself) in Boston brand. No, sir; the ware-houses and wharves forcing the proceeds of their industry into a market of New England are crowded with these articles of the Cin their own creation, this recital will not be received with indifference and neglect.

It was early seen by the intelligent men of the West, that our fine soil and climate would be of little value, unless some permanent market could be obtained for its productions. The foreign one, which had given vent to our surplus, was fluctuating and insecure, and, at the time of which I now speak, had been entirely cut off by a general peace throughout the civilized world.

In this situation we were left with our bread-stuffs to

cinnati and Ohio brands, a great portion of which is com sumed by her manufacturing population. After these re sults, and in the face of these facts, (said Mr. V.,) wil my colleague say that the delegation of Ohio have been backward in building up and sustaining the interest are prosperity of their State?

Sir, (said Mr. V.,) I have no hesitation in saying the Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri, have as direc an interest in sustaining the manufacturing labor of New England, as if they had a right of property in one-ba

perish on our hands. What was to be done? was the of her spindles and looms. And, whilst I would neve question of all reflecting men. The answer was, Divide consent knowingly to do injustice to any portion of the your labor, throw a portion of it into manufacturing; American people, to add prosperity to another, yet supply yourselves with mechanics and artisans sufficient never will consent to see this great interest prostrated ur to minister to your wants; regulate your own resources der any abstruse and impracticable theories on politic and labor in such a way as to give to the great agricultu- economy.

ral interests of the country the privilege of feeding the Whilst I am upon this subject (said Mr. V.) I will sa man that makes his shoes or weaves his coat. Sir, (said a word or two to the members from Indiana, Illinois, ane Mr. V.,) this was the response of the intelligent yeoman- Missouri. One great branch of our business in Ohio is te ry of Ohio; and I need not say to my colleague that, in purchase the stock of the people of these States, ar no portion of our State was there a greater unanimity of graze and feed them for the Eastern markets. The Ma sentiment and feeling on this subject, than there was in river and Scioto valleys alone send thousands of dollar his own immediate neighborhood.

into those States annually for the purchase of their stock

Sir, (said Mr. V.,) Ohio never supported the tariff of The Bank of the United States has, heretofore, enable 1824, because she was ready to establish manufactories us to obtain funds that were uniform and secure throug within her limits. No such thing. She gave her sup- out every portion of their territory; but, if that institute port to that interest from a different motive; for it was be put down, what can be done? I say to those member then as well understood where the manufactories were to Look to it; that's all.

be located as it is at this moment.

My colleague speaks of a reduction in the expendits re

Ohio wanted a market for her agricultural productions, of some of the departments. I would be glad if t and the only means by which she could obtain that ob- would specify in what particular branch of the servic ject was by diverting a portion of the labor of her sister these reductions are to be found. I have given to t States from agricultural pursuits, and transferring it to day and date, time and place. Here, sir, is the office the manufacturing arts. By this means she would obtain record; point out the error, if any exists, and it shall b the double object of getting rid of rivals, and obtaining corrected. Do not deal in generals, but give us part c customers. This was the object she had in view, and it lars. My colleague names the navy as a branch in whic has done more to build up her prosperity than every there had been a reduction under the present administr other act of legislation since she became a member of the tion; but it appears to me that this will not better h

Union.

much mon

my colleague says, there has been so expended in making treaties with, and removing the dians; and, to aid in filling up, my colleague has broug in the pension act. It is true that, in the Indian depa ment, there has necessarily been some million and a

case: for the curtailment in building up this arm of o Sir, (said Mr. V.,) permit me to give you a few prac- national defence has only left a large sum to be thiev tical illustrations on this subject. Some twenty years into the hands of the administration, to be lavished upo ago, Ohio first turned her attention to the feeding of cat- favorites and partisans, instead of being employed, tle. At that time she had to compete with prejudices heretofore, in the laudable object of increasing our cav that were almost insuperable. The distance from the But market, even of Baltimore, was thought to be so great as to render the beef of her cattle unfit to use after so long a drive. At that time, (said Mr. V.,) we had but a small portion of the Baltimore market, and that against the cattle from the South Branch of the Potomac-the of money expended more than there was under the fi character and quality of which kept ours at very reduced mer administration, but this is not six millions, nor e prices. But our march was onward, and the perse- millions, which is the difference between the four ye verance of our feeders has at length enabled us to com- of the last, and the four first years of the present adm pete with the cattle from any portion of the United States, tration. And now permit me to inform my colleag and in any market south of Boston.

that the late pension act will not bring him out, as t From Baltimore we passed on to Philadelphia, where comparative statement that I have made does not incle we had to compete with the feeders from Pennsylvania, appropriations of money under that act, but is on New York, and New England. There we had to encoun- brought up to 1832. Sir, it would be better for gent ter the same prejudices, and surmount the same difficul- men to come out boldly, and acknowledge that they ha ties as before. But they all have been surmounted; and, expended the money to reward partisans. Who t so far from our cattle being confined to the markets just will look into this matter but what can see where t mentioned, we have now the control of these markets money has gone? Why, every body must know th from May to August. We have a heavy interest in the when you increase offices by hundreds, that you me New York market; and some two or three years ago, we have money by millions to pay them with. pushed some hundreds of our cattle into Boston, the great Sir, said Mr. V., my colleague speaks of ephemer emporium of New England itself. popularity--my standing with my party--that I am spoke

But this matter does not end here; for we have made of to fill the gubernatorial chair of Ohio, &c. But not the New England States, by building up her manufacto- sinuations on the part of my colleague; oh! no, nother ries, and giving a different direction to her industry, our of that sort. He only gives historical facts, and least best market for our pork and flour. We no longer see our common constituents to make their own inferencn your advertisements, by authority, for proposals to furnish Very well; this, I suppose, is all fair on the part of m

MAY 8, 1834.]

The General Appropriation Bill.

[H. or R.

colleague; and of course I will not complain. But, after their families in this city? So far as his (Mr. W.'s) exall, I should really question the propriety or good taste perience went, these articles, so far from being cheaper of bringing our State politics into a discussion upon this than they were six months ago, many of them were floor upon the reduction of the salary of custom-house twenty-five per cent, dearer; and this, he believed, would and other officers; but as it has been done by my col- be found to be a general complaint throughout this city, league, so it must be. whatever the case might be elsewhere. He repeated, As to my popularity, it is not for me to speak. All that he was convinced that the necessaries of life were will admit that I have had some share of the confidence dearer than they had been; and he called on gentlemen of the people of our State, or I would not be here; and to specify what article of food, of clothing, or any thing I am free to admit that it has been at least equal to my requisite for family consumption, could be procured in merits, but I assure my colleague that I did not think of the city of Washington cheaper at this time, if so cheap, advancing it when I submitted the proposition now under as it could have been formerly. He utterly denied that consideration. It was the least of my thoughts in submit- they could specify a single article; and, therefore, could ting these amendments, whether the act was to raise or not receive the assumption of such a reduction in prices lower me in the confidence and affections of the good as any reason to make this indiscriminate reduction of people of our State; and if it will relieve my colleague in thirty-three and a third per cent. in the salaries. Unthe slightest particular in any of his misgivings relative to doubtedly he did believe that there were some officers, the effect that these amendments may hereafter have that he could name in this city, who received more compenupon my political standing in Ohio, I will inform him that sation than ought to be given them. But he could not beit is long since well known in my district that I am not a lieve that the Secretaries of the several departments, alcandidate for re-election; neither am I a candidate for though exercising the most rigid economy, considering the gubernatorial chair. It is true that my name has their style of living, &c. here, could or did lay up any been mentioned in connexion with others, as a candidate money out of their salaries. for that office, but it has been without any solicitation But he ventured to say that if ever these salaries were my part. Twenty-three years of political life ought to altered at all, a diminution need not be expected; but intisfy the ambition of any man, much less one so humble that, if any thing, they would be increased, and that the myself. My wish, said Mr. V., is to retire to my farm, very persons who now propose the reduction would be and to spend the remainder of my life in pursuits much the very first to increase them. The simple question bebetter fitted to my early habits and present feelings than fore the House was, whether they would agree to this gain to enter into the field of political controversy. amendment. In support of it, the honorable member But whilst this is my wish, it is due in candor to say to from Ohio had gone into a comparative statement of the by colleague, that in my opinion a change in the reign-expenditures of the present and the preceding adminising political dynasty in Ohio is essential to her future trations. So far as this paragraph was concerned, he prosperity and character, and that it will afford me great could not see how this availed, for the compensation paid Measure to aid in effecting that change in any way that to the officers named in it was the same that was paid by will best meet the wishes of my friends, and subserve the the preceding administration; and yet, because the exinterest of the State.

honorable member would examine into all the offices under the Government, and if it should be found that there were any paid more compensation than they ought to re

penditures of the Government, as the gentleman asserts, Mr. WARDWELL said that, being unwilling to take had increased in other departments under this administraip the time of the House, he had been hitherto a listener tion, a proposition was made to reduce these, which were the debate. There were, however, so many assertions the same under a former administration. He could not made which, although doubtless believed to be correct understand by what kind of logic the honorable member y honorable members who made them, but which, could reconcile this. He would, however, say that if the evertheless, were so contrary to truth and to the fact, at he was induced to present his views on this amend Dent. He had no hesitation in saying that, believing any of these salaries were too large, whilst others were ceive, then he would be willing to go with him for all oo small, if a bill should be brought in making a proper such reductions as should be found necessary or expecrimination between those offices which were rated too dient. A committee had already been appointed by this high and those which were too moderately compensated, House, of which the honorable gentleman was a member, e would vote for it. But, whilst he acknowledged that to examine into the subject of salaries generally; and he hany of these offices could be pointed out as being rated trusted that such would be the investigation of the comith too high salaries, he considered it a most consum- mittee, as that their report would be approved of not bate piece of folly to vote for the reduction, on that only by this House, but by the nation.

count, of all those which were enumerated in this Mr. LEAVITT said he would offer no apology for obJause. What was the reason given for the proposition truding himself upon the attention of the House, while reduce all these salaries indiscriminately? The honor- he briefly stated some of the reasons which would govern ble member who proposed it acknowledged that, six him in recording his vote against the proposition under Months past, he would not have considered them too consideration, and noticed some of the remarks which had large, but that, inasmuch as the Government had, by its fallen from his colleague [Mr. VANCE] in its support. The Measures in relation to the Bank of the United States, amendment before the House, said Mr. L., has for its obPaised the value of money, and caused a relative reduc-ject an indiscriminate reduction of the compensation now tion in the prices of all the articles of subsistence, the allowed by law to the officers connected with several of compensation which he now proposed to give the several the most important departments of the Government. In officers named in this amendment would be equal to that the first place, I hold the proposition to be highly objecwhich they have heretofore received, and of which this tionable, as being offered to the House in the form of an smendment would deprive them. Was this, however, the amendment to the general appropriation bill. The legitDo gentlemen really believe that the situation of imate province of such a bill is to make provision by law things which they have ascribed as a consequence of the for the application of the public treasure to objects which measures of the Government is as they have stated? He have previously received the requisite legal sanction, and asked this seriously, because, if they said so, he would be any departure from this principle involves a violation of bound to believe them. He asked if there was any re- the soundest rules of legislation. Whatever, therefore, duction in the prices of boarding, or in those articles may be the abstract merits of the pending amendment, which were necessary for the subsistence of clerks and it is clear that this is not its appropriate place. It is not

fact?

VOL. X.--250

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