1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 6305

9727) to remove the charge of desertion against Henry Conrad Bending; amount due on the dispatch-boat Dolphin; which, with theaccompany­ which was read a first and second time, referred to the Committee on ing paper,. was referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and or- Military Affairs, and ordered to be printed. dered to be. printed. • The Honse then (at 5 o'clock and 8 minutes p. m.) adjourned. He also presented a communication from the Secretary of the Treas­ ury, transmitting a letter from the assistant trP..asurer at Cincinnati, PETITIONS, ETC. Ohio, asking to be allowed an extra watchman for his office; which, The following petitions and papers were laid on the Clerk's desk, with the a{!C(}mpanying papers, was referred to the Committee on Ap­ under the rule, and referred as follows: propriations, and ordered to be printed. By Mr. BINGHAM: Memorial of the Philadelphia Board of Trade, PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS. voicing the public wish for a sufficient supply of clean, well-secured paper currency of the denomination of one and two dollars-to the The PRESIDENT pro tempore presented resolutions adopted.by the Committee on Banking and Currency. . Board of Trade of Portland, Oreg., declaring that the resolutions adopted By Mr. R. H. M:. DAVIDSON: Memorial of citizens of Gadsden at a special meeting of the board June 24, 1886, protesting against the County, Florida, asking that an appropriation may be made for the im­ forfeiture of the land grant on the Cascade branch of the Northern Pa­ provement of the Ochlocknee River-to the Committee on Rivers and cific Railroad were inconsiderate and illegal, a.nd directing that they be Jiarbors. . expunged from the records of the meeting. . . By Mr. DOCKERY: Petition of William Stanly Post, No. 208, Grand Mr. MITCHELL, of Oregon. Mr. President, I wish to say in reference Army of the Republic, asking the passage of Senate bill1886-to the to the resolutions which have just been laid before the Senate by the Presi­ Committee on Invalid Pensions. dent of the Senate that the Board of Trade ofthe city of Portland, State of By Mr. DUNN: Papers relating to the claims of William N. Rob­ Oregon, is composed of several hundred, I believe-! do not know ex­ ertson, of Philips County; of William W. Glenn, of Batesville; of actly how many-of the most respectable and influential business and Abraham Fleener, and of William J. Vineyard, of Arkansas-to the professional men of the city of Portland, and their views with reference Committee on War Claims. to matters pertaining exclusively to the commercial interests of that By Mr. ERMENTROUT: :Memorial of the Board of Trade of Phila­ city should be and with me are very potential. Those of us, however, delphia, asking for a supply of paper currency of small denotninations who are so fortunate, or unfortunate, as the case may be, as to hold posi­ for circulation-to the Committee on Banking and Currency. tions in the Senate and Honse of Representatives are necessarily com­ By Mr. FUNSTON: Petition o( Solomon Williams, for a pension-to pelled to take a somewhat broader view of legislative matters hete than the Committee on Invalid Pensions. it is expected will be taken by a board representing almost exclusively Also, petition for the passage of House bill No. 7695, fo1· a pension the commercial interests of a particular city. for James McLaughlin-to the same committee. Therefore I, as one of the representatives of that State in the Senate, By Mr. GROSVENOR: Evidence to support House bill No.1887 for in connection with my colleague, have believed it to be for the material the relief of Mrs. E. H. Wildes-to the same committee. ' and commercial interests of Eastern Oregon in particular and Washing­ Al~o, petition of John Denback and many others, pf Pomeroy, Ohio, ton Territory, and .of the whole nation, that there should be a speedy relatrng to the public lands and other matters of public interest de­ completion of the line of the Northern Pacific Railroad across the Cas- manded by the Knights of Labor-to the Committee on Labor. cade Mountains to Portland via Puget Sound, thus making a through By Mr. T. J. HENDERSON: Communication of Charles Barry, of connection to the Pacific seaboard, for the benefit not only of the farmers West Cornwall, Henry County, illinois-to the Committee on Invalid and producers of Eastern Oregon and Eastern Washington Territory, Pensions. ·Idaho, and Montana, but for the people generally of the East and of the By Mr. LINDSLEY: Petition for organizing the Territory of Okla­ whole nation East and West. In this connection permit me to attract at­ homa, and other purposes-to the Committee on the Territories. tention to the fact that the farmers and producers generally of Eastern . .Also, petition in regard to land forfeiture, and other pw·poses-to Oregon and of Eastern Washington Territory are now subjected to bur­ the Committee on the Public Lands. dens in the matter of freight charges along the Columbia River that are Also, petition of Edward F. Dewey, for relief-to the Committee on unparalleled in the history of transportation in this or in fact in any other War Claims. country. Whe..

2. House bill No. 7021, for adjustment of railroad and other land and 65 other leading citizens of Ohio, praying that a pension be granted grants; to Mrs. Elizabeth A. Ward, widow of General Durbin Ward. 3. Bills forfeiting all railroad land grants the conditionB of which I move the reference of the petition to the Committee on Pensions. have not been strictly complied with; The motion was agreed to. 4. House bill organizirig the Territory of Oklahoma; :Mr. MITCHELL, of Oregon, presented resolutions adopted by the 5. Senate bill opening a portion of the great Sioux reservation to Board of Trade of ~ort Townsend, Wash., remonstrating against the settlement; . reduction of the present tariff on coal, lumber, and wool; which were 6. Bill prohibiting aliens from holding lands in the United States; referred to the Committee on Finance. · 7. Bill making Presidential and Congressional election days holidays He also presented the petition of Jacob W. Hosler, of Polk Collllty, and punishing bribery; Oregon, praying for an increase of pension; which was referred to the 8. Bill directing disbu:rsement of at least $200,000,000 Treasury sur­ Committee on Pensions. · plus, and substituting Treasury notes for bank notes retired. Mr. PUGH. I present a petition. signed by many good and true I move that the petitions be referred to the Committee on Public men of Forkland, Greene County, Alabama, praying for the passage of Lands. the oleomargarine bill. I move the reference of the petition to the The motion was agreed to. Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. Mr. HOAR presented a petition of the Massachusetts Fish and Game The motion was agreed to. Pro~ctive .Association, signed by Edward A. Samuels, its president, Mr. CULLOl\1. I ask leave on behalf of my colleague [Mr. LOGAN], and Henry J. Th.ayer, its secretary, praying that Congress enact laws who is absent, to present a petition of ex-Union soldiers of Elm Hall,. for the protection of mackerel by prohibiting their sale during the 11fich., pmying for the passage of Senate bill1886, for the relief of sol­ spawning season; which was referred to the Co~ttee on Fisheries. diers of the late war. I move that the petition lie on the table. Mr. MILLER. I present a large number of petitions from various The motion was agreed to. · parts of the State of New York, praying for the pas..·~age of the follow­ .Mr. COCKRELL presented six petitions of citizens of Cass and other ing measures: counties in Missouri, praying the passage of the oleomargarine bill; . 1. House bill No. 7887, repen.ling timber-culture, pre-emption, and which were·referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. desert-land acts; 2. House bill No. 7021, for adjustment of railroad and other land REPORTS OF CO:ill.\IITTEES. grants; Mr. MAXEY, from the Committee on Post-Offices and Post-Roads, 3 . ..Bills forfeiting all railroad land grants the conditions of which to whom was referred the bill (S. 917) for the relief of James H. Smith, have not been strictly complied with; late postmaster at Memphis, Tenn., reported it with an amendment, 4. Honse bill organizing the Territory of Oklahoma; and submitted a report thereon. 5. Senate bill opening a portion of the great Sioux reservation to set­ :Mr. GRAY, from the Committee on Claims, to whom was referred tlement; the bill (S. 933) for the relief of 111. C. Mordecai, reported it without 6. Bill prohibiting aliens from holding land in the United States; amendment, and submitted a report thereon. 7. Bill making Presidential and Congressional election days holidays Mr. WHlTTHORNE, from the Committee on Claims, to whom was and punishing bribery; . referred the bill (S. 1342) for the relief of H. W. Shipley, reported it 8. Bill directing disbursement of at least $200,000, 000 Treasury sur- with amendments, and submitted a report theron. plus, and substituting Treasury notes for bank.notes retired. Mr. HARRIS, from the Committee on Epidemic Diseases, reported Imovethereferenceofthepetitionsto the Committee on Public Lands. · an amendment intended to be proposed to the sundry civil appropri.'l.­ The motion was agreed to. tion bill; which was referred to the Committee on AppropriationB, and Mr. MILLER. I alsO present a petition of several hundred citizens ordered to be printed. of Cooperstown, N.Y., praying for the pn.ssage of what is known as the Mr. WALTHALL, from the Committee on Uilitary Affairs, towhol]l oleomargarine bill; and a petition of citizens of Esperance, N. Y., to was referred the bill (S. 2725) to construct a road to the national cem­ the same effect. I move the reference of the petitions to the Commit­ etery at Corinth, Miss.,· reported it with amendments, and submitted tee on Agriculture and Forestry. a report thereon. The motion was agreed to. Mr. BUTLER, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom wa.s Mr. MANDERSON. I present the petition of a large number of referred the bill (S. 1242) granting the right of ~ay to the Annapolis citizens of Pawnee County, Nebraska, praying ~or the passage of the and Baltimore Short-Line Railroad Company across the Government oleomargarine bill. I move that the petition be referred to the Com­ farm connected with the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., reported mittee on Agriculture and Forestry. it without amendment. The motion was agreed to. 1\lr. RIDD~BERGER, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, re­ Mr.RIDDLEBERGER. IpresentthepetitionofWilliamMcManus ported an amendment for the relief of Benjamin Atwood, intended to and 68 other citizens of the second Congressional district of Virginia, be proposed to the general deficiency appropriation bill; which was re­ praying for the }lassage of the following measures at the present ses- ferred to the Committee on Appropriations, and ordered to be printed. sion of Congress: . . 11fr. DOLPH, from the Committee on Claims, to whom was referred 1. House bill No. 7887, repealing timber-culture, pre-emption, and the bill (H. R. 2918) for the relief of William Huntington, reported it · desert-land acts; without amendment, and submitted a report thereon. 2. House bill No. 7021, for adjustment of railroad and other land Mr. HOAR. I am directed by the Committee on Claims, to whom grants; was referred the bill (S. 2048) for the relief of the heirs of John W. 3. Bills forfeiting all railroad and land grants the conditie not been strictly complied with; move that it be referred to the Committee on lndian Affairs. It is a 4. House bill organizing the Territory of Oklahoma; claim growing out of lndjan depredations, and the representatives of 5. Senate bill opening a portion of the great Sioux reservation to the tribe desire to be heard in opposition to the bill. settlement; The report was agreed to. 6. Bill prohibiting aliens fi·om holding land in the United States; l\11'. HOAR, from the Committee t>n Claims, to whom was referred 7. Bill making Presidential and Congressional election days holidays the bill (S. 909) for the relief of Henry H. Sibley, reported it with an and prohibiting bribery; . amendment, and submitted a report thereon. · 8. Bill directing disbursements of at least $200,000,000 Treasury Mr. H OAR, from the Committee on the Library, reported an amend­ surplus, and substituting Treasury notes for bank notes retired. ment intended to be proposed to. the sundry civil appropriation bill; I ·also present on the same subject the petition of P. Austin and 185 which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations, and ordered others, citizens of the third Congressional district of Virginia; the pe­ to be printed: tition of R. M. Leftwick and 41 others, citizens of the sixth Congres- Mr. HALE, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to•whom was re­ • sional district of Virginia; the petition of William H. Stewart and 55 ferred the bill (S. 2400) for the relief of Paymaster James E . Tolfree, others, citizens of the sixth Congressional district of Virginia; the pe­ United States Navy, reported rt with amendments, and submitted a tition of ..6.mos Kelso and 55 others, citizens of the sixth Congressional report thereon. district of Virginia; the petition of William H. White and 151 others, He also, from the same committee, to whom was referred the bill citizens of the sixth Congressional district of Virginia; the petition of (S. 2399) for the relief of Pay Clerk Charles Blake, United States J. W. Harris and 152 others, citizens of the third Congressional dis­ Navy, reported it with amepdments, and submitted a report thereon. trict of Virginia; the petition of James R. Lee and 61 others, citizens Mr. SEWELL, from the Committee on Military Affairs, to whom of the third Congressional district of Virginia; the petition of Charles were referred the following bills, reported them severally without H. Jones and 37 others, citizens of the third Congressional district of amendment, and submitted reports thereon: Virginia; the petition of William P. Ballard and 46 others, citizens of A bill (H. R. 5552) for the relief of James Cain; and the second Congressional district of Virginia; and the petition of C. A. A bill (H. R. 1511) for the relief of Sidney R. Smith. Archer and 50 others, citizens of the second Congressional district of :Mr. CAl\:IERONt from the Committee on Mil_itary Affairs, to whom Virginia. was referred the joint resolution (S. R. 73) authorizing the Secretary ImovethereferenceofthepetitionstotheCommitteeon PnblicLands. of War to grant a permit to John F. Chamberlin to erect a hotel upon The motion was agreed to. . the lands of the United States at Fortress Monroe, Va., reported it with­ Mr. PAYNE. I present the petition of Hon. Allen G. Thurman out amendment. 1886. . CONGRESSIONAL RECORD--SENATE. 6307

1.1r. WHITTHORNE, from the Committee on Claims, to whoni 'was own knowledge of the case Congress has on many oecasions reported referred the bill {H. R. 914) for the relief of M:rs. Fanny S. Conway, favorably and haS passed just such bills. I should like to have the reported it without amendment, and submitted a report thereon. bill on the Calendar so that I can find out if possible on what grounds the adverse report was made. MARY J. NOTTAGE-VETO :MESsAGE. Mr. CAMERON. I will say in reply to the Senator that he will Mr. RLAIR. I am directed by the Committee on Pensions, to whom have no difficulty in finding out on what ground the bill was reported was referred the message of the President of the United States return­ adversely. There was a written report made in the case. ing to the Senate with his objections the bill (S. 2005) granting a pen­ Mr. CONGER. It is the opportunity to find that I desire. sion to l\Iary J. Nott.age, to report the bill back with the papers, and The PRESIDENT pro temp.ore. The bill has been ordered to be ask that the report n~w submitted be printed and placed on the Cal­ placed on the Calendar. endar. WITHDRAWAL OF PAPERS. The PRESIDING OFFICER {:~1r. BLACKBURN in the chair). That order will be made in the absence of objection. On motion of Mr. GRAY, it was Ordered, That 1\1. C.l\lordecai have leave to withdraw the papers in his case SUSPENSION OF PUELIC LAND LAWS. from the files of the Senate. Mr. MANDERSON. There was referred by the. Senate to the Com- . MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE. mittee onPrintingaletteroftheSecretaryoftheinterior, transmitting A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. ToWLES, its a letter from the Commissioner of the Land Office relative to a. certain Chief Clerk, announced that the Speaker of the Honse had appointed circular of that office. The Senate ordered the letters printed, and re- l\Ir. RICE a conferee on the bill (H. R. 6392) making appropriations ferred the maps and accompanying papers to the Committee on Print- for the diplomatic and consular service of the Government for the fiscal ing to report as to the advisability of printing those exhibits. On in- year ending June 30, 1887, and for other purposes, in the place of Mr. vestigation the committee found that to print the papers and maps HIT:r, excuseP.. would cost $3,960 for the usual number. The committee, therefore, ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED. called upon theCommissioneroftheGeneralLandOfficeto seewhether A message from the House of Representatives, byMr. T. 0. ToWLES, the exhibits and maps could by any process be reduced. He has very its Chief Clerk, announced that the Speaker of the House had signed materi~lly reduced them, so that we find the cost will be but $32.50 the following enrolled bills and joint resolution; and they were there­ for the document in its present form. The committee, therefore, rec- upon signed by the President pro tempore: ommend the printing of the usual number of the accompanying papers. A bill (H. R. 5201) making appropriations for the payment of invalid The report was agreed to. and other pensions of the United States f-or the fiscal year ending June BILLS Th""TRODUCED. 30, 1887, and for other purposes; l\1r. SAWYER introduced a bill (S. 2778) to authorize the Billings, A bill (H. R 5887) making appropriations for the service of the Post- Clark's Fork and Cooke City Railroad Company to construct and op- Office Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887; erate a railway through the Crow Indian reservation, and for other A bill (H. R 985) authorizing the Secretary of War to transfttr the purposes; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Com- United States barracks at Baton Rouge, La., to the Louisiana Sta.te mittee on Indian Affairs. University and Agricultural and Mechanical College at said place for :ltlr. INGALLS introduced a bill (S. 2779) granting a pension to B. educational purposes, and granting to the city of Marquette, 1\lich., F. Miller; which was read twice by its title, and, with the accompany- certain lands for park purposes; ing papers, referred to the Committee~n Pensions. A bill (H. R. 2148) to amend an act entitled "An act to provide a M.r. CULLOM (for M.r. LoGAN) introduced a bill (S. 2780) granting building for the use of the United States circuit and district courts of a pension to l\Iiss Anna Platt; which was read twice by its title, and, the United States, the post-office, and other Government offices at Will­ with the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Pensions. iamsport, Pa.,'' and making an additional appropriation therefor; and He also {for Mr. LoG.A.N) introduced a bill (S. 2781) granting a pen- Joint resolution (H. Res. 177) appointing managers for the National sion to Rebecca Lemmon; which was reaq twice by its title, and, with Homes for Disabled Soldiers to fill vacancies in the board which occurred the accompanying papers, referred to the Committee on Pensions. by expiration of terms April 21, 1886. Mr. MILLER introduced a. bill (S. 2782) for the relief of Ellie l\Ic- ORDER OF BUSINESS. Roberts; which was read twice by its title, and referred to the Commit- The PRESIDENT pro tempore. If there be no "concurrent and other tee on Pensions. resolutions'' the Calendar iB now in order. . l\1r. EDMUNDS in-troduced a bill (S. 2783) to vest in the Pr~dent Mr. HOAR. I]Ilove that the Senate proceed to the considemtion.of of 'the United States the appointment of sundry inferior officers thereof, the resolution in regard to open sessions. Indeed unanimous consent to regulate their tenure of office, and to provide for their removal when was given yesterday that the speech of the Senator from Vermont [Air. the public interests shall require it; which was read twice by its title, MoRRILL] should be read at this time. and referred to th-e Committee on the Judiciary. Mr. EVARTS. The Senator from Massachusetts will allow me to Mr. INGALLS introduced a bill (S. 2784) tO provide for gilding the make a suggestion, which is not intended to interfere with the order of statue ofFreedom on the Dome of the Capitol; which was read twice proceeding. by its title, and referred to the Committee on Public Buildings and The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Does the Senator from Massachu- Grounds. setts yield to the Senator from New York? l\Ir. COCKRELL introduced. a bill (S. 2785) authoriziilg the Post- Mr. HOAR. Yes, sir. master-General to adopt a device for canceling postage•stamps; which l\Ir. EVARTS. I wish to call attention to Order of Business 1124, was read twice by ita title, and referred to the Committee on Post-Of- being the joint resolution (H. Res. 125) in recognition of the services frees and Post-Roads. . ' of Joseph Francis, which was reached on the Calendar during my nec- Mr. SAWYER introduced a joint Tesolution (S. R. 74) for the relief essary absence from the city, and upon the suggestion of the Senator of Sallie Hardmond; which was read twice by its title, and, with the from New Jersey [Mr. l\IcPHERSON] it was then passed over bec.1.use accompanying paper, ~ferred to the Committee on Claims. of this absence. AMENDMENT TO BILL. I learn now that the Senator from New .Je-rsey, who wishes also to Mr. HARRIS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by take part in this ~att~, ~~ugh rwill occ?y very !-ittle time, will be him to the sundry civil appropriation bill; which was referred to the obliged to leave t e c1ty ore ong; and now, with the indulgence of the Senate, will say that to-morrow morning, immediately after the Committee on Appropriations, and ordered to be printed. morning business, I shall ask an opportunity to make some observa- EIDIA H. FISH. tions upon this subject, and, as I hope, as the matter involves very Mr. CONGER. Yesterday the bill (H. R. 1185) for the relief of little except the attention of the Senate for a short time, to have a Emmn. H. Fish was reported from the Committee on Militn.ry Affairs, decision.ofit. and I do not find it on the Calendar. I suppose that it was indefi- The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Massachusetts [Ur. nitely postponed. HoAR] moves that the Senate proceed to the consideration of Order of Mr. CAMERON. The bill was reported adversely, and indefinitely Business 163, being the resolution submitted by the Senator from Con- postponed. necticut [l\Ir. PLATT] declaring that executive nominations shall here- 1\lr. CONGER. I ask that the bill be placed on the Cn.lendar. after be considered in open session. The PRESIDENT pro temp01-e. If there be no objection the vote by l\Ir. ALLISON. I do not wish to interfere this morning with the which the bill was indefinitely postponed will be reconsidered, and the arrangement which I understand has been made in reference to taking bill will be placed on the Calendar with the adverse report of the com- up the resolution, but I give notice that after the Senator from 1\Iru;sa­ mittee. ch usetts shall have concluded I wish to go on with the legislative, ex- 1\ir. CONGER. In this connection I think it proper to say that very ecutive, and judicial appropriation bill without further "interruption. often bills are reported and indefinitely postpened without any notice Mr. HOAR. If the Senator will pardon me, for I propose to accept to anybody, and in the absence of Senators who supposed that the bills the Senator7s determination upon that subject, because he is in charge would not be reported adversely. There should be some way in which of the appropriation bill, and I wish to do wlmt is necessary for the there will be some record made of that action except the general re- public business, I desire to ask him whether he proposes to object to ports of committees. going into executive .session at an early hour to-.day? If so, it will be I have asked that the bill be placed on the Calendar, for from my con ,·enient for the Senate to know that fact. 6308 C_ONGRESSION.AL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30,

· Mr. ALLISON. I certainly will object to that. I think we ought Let me say, if the nOipination was fit to be solicited and fit to be to finish the legislative appropriation bill before we take up any other made, where is the "impropriety" in coming here and actingnpon it? matter. If Sena~ors are ever guilty of seeking the nominations of their personal 1\Ir. INGALLS. If the Senator will pardon me a single suggestion, adherents from the President simply because they are their personal it is obvious that the appropriation bill can not be passed to become adherents, with no reference to other merits or to the public welfare, effectual during this fiscal year. The necessary joint resolution to con­ no wonder they are relegated to private life; but when a vacancy has tinue existing appropriations for a period of ten or fifteen days must be occurred in any public office in Connecticut I presume the worthy Sen­ passed to-day. Therefore there is no reason, so fur as I can understand, ator ha!'i never refused to convey to the President the wishes of his peo­ w by there should be any particular haste or precipitation about the pas­ ple and to urge the nomination of a proper person to fill the vacancy. sage of the appropriation bill to-day. We should gain nothing by it. Having done this, where is the "monstrous impropriety" of acting Mr. ALLISON. I shall not debate the question, but will submit it upon the nomination, so fairly obtained, in secret session and of urging to the Senate when the time comes. its confirmation? After a nomination thus sought by a Senator, if he Mr. INGALLS. We ought to have an executive session to-day. were to come here and oppose its confirmation I concede that might be Mr. HOAR. I do not make any contest on the point. "monstrous impropriety." Does not my esteemed friend see that it Mr. ALLISON. I understand the Senator. is the first step that costs, and if there is any impropriety it all hangs The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on the motion of the on soliciting the nominatimi? The marvel is, how open-door execu­ Senator from Massachusetts. tive sessions are to cure this newly discovered but rather shadowy The motion was agreed to. impropriety. EXECUTIVE SESSIONS WITH OPEN DOORS. After all, no Senator can look on with complacency and see his State Mr. MANDERSON. Acting for the Senator from Vermont [Mr. utterly neglected by any administration in its distribution of official l!oRRILL], who is detained from the Chamber and from his duty by· public trusts, aud, if he is not consulted, he mu8t from State pride and severe illness, I ask that the resolution which is now before the Senate party loyalty sometimes and·in someway volunteer his expostulations; be read. and that, as I conceive, without any "monstrous impropriety," or cru­ The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The resolution will be read. cifixion even of the highest-toned civil-service reform. The Chief Clerk read the resolution submitted by 1\Ir. PLATT Janu­ • The claim that public sentiment is clamorous for open executive ses­ ary 29, 1886, as follows: sions of the Senate, as it appears to me, should not be accepted even with a grain of salt; and at present the state of public sentiment at the Resolved, That executive nominations sha11 hereafter be considered and acted upon in open session, except when otherwise ordered by vote of the Senate, and most must be classed among the things unknowable. There has been so much of section 2, Rule XXXVI, and section 2, Rule XXXVIll, of the stand­ no serious public discussion of the subjed insomuch as one-quarter ing rules of the Senate as conflicts with or is inconsistent with the above is to the part of the several States, and though Senators may hereafter have, as extent of such inconsistency rescinded. . trusted exponents of the subject, a potential and, as I must hope, sal­ Mr. MANDERSON. I pass' to the Secretary's desk the proposed utary influence in their respective States in enlightening and guiding amendment submitted by the Senator from Vermont [Mr. MORRILL]. the public judgment, I very much question whether a majority of the I ask that it be read. people in a single State have yet formed any fixed opinion on the sub­ The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The proposed amendment will be ject. In due time, should the subject reach the dignity of a public read. question, they may be willing to hear and weigh all arguments, pro or The CHIEF CLERK. Amendment intended to be proposed by Mr. con, but they will not decide upon the merits of the whole question be­ MORRILL: fore they have heard anything a-bout it. S!rike out the words "executive nominations" and insert in lieu thereof the We are all ea,qily persuaded to think public sentiment is in accord words "reciprocity treaties, so called." with and supports our own ideas and conclusions. The least whisper­ Mr. MORRILL.* Mr. President, it is temerity, I am well aware, ings in that direction are melodious and carefully treasured up; but for me to appear in opposition to any measure of the distinguished there is seldom any ear for discordant voices, and no census of the silent Senator from Cop.necticut [Mr. PLATT], and let me add that it is very multitude is ever reported. rarely that any one here finds occasion to differ from that Senator, but Executive sessions of the Senate with closed doors were ordained and I have noticed that those who are seldom wrong, when they are wrong, established by the founders of the Republic, by such worthies as Wash­ are apt to be conspicuously wrong, and I have a sincere conviction that ington, Adams, J e:fferson, and Madison. Before we charge these early for once my learned friend is immensely wrong. No other Senator has American statesmen, all republican to the very core, with a gross polit­ yet opposed his resolution for open executive sessions, and, therefore, I ical blunder, anti-republican in character, had we not better inquire feel it the more an imperative duty to present, for whatever they may whether or not any blunder bas been committed? The proposition now be worth, such reasons as occur to me why the resolution should be re­ ·made is to conduct the business of executive sessions-so far as nomi­ jected or radically amended. On this question there can be no division nations to office are concerned-with open doors, and will consequently on party lines. All parties are . equally interested. Nor is it a q nes­ offer on all such occasions a tempting invitation to the public to fill the tion of to-day only, but a question for all time, and to be decided, as it g.tlleries witll an eager crowd to witness with uproarious delight a free was a hundred years ago, by such statesmanship as the country finds spectacular entertainment. The simple statement of the proposition in its service. prompts negative answers, and would seem almost to make other refu­ In listening to the arguments of distinguished Sena ors in favor of tation unnecessary. Have closed doors brought wrong upon any citi­ changing the rules of the Senate so as to hold executive sessions with zen? Will a Senator, who was a straight republican upon his entrance open doors, there would seem to have been a sudden resurrection of into an executive session with closed doors be in any danger of coming ancient erudition concerning legislative sessions with closed doors, as out an aristocrat? I can only answer for myself that I have never seen if legislative sessions had some analogy or correlation to executive ses­ or felt ~my temptations in that direction, and I feel very certain, if any sions, when the high ~urpose and business of the sessions are funda­ Senator should have aristocratic tendencies, they would all vanish or mentally distinct and independent. Arguments pertinent to one are be smoked out of him by the inevitable fumigation which awaits him destitute of all relevancy to the other. Open doors for legislative ses­ at every session as soon as the doors here are closed. The suggestion sions, unknown _in Europe at the date of the Declaration of our Inde­ that these sessions are unrepublican because they are retired from the pendence, was wholly an American victory; but open doors for execu­ public gaze does not seem to be well-grounded, and the discovery that tive sessions would be an American defeat, a failure on the part of the the Senate, because of these sessions, resembles the House of Lords, Senate, handicapped as it would be by new and hostile conditions, to which, by the bye, holds no such sessions, is hardly eclipsed by the maintain intact its constitutional and confidential executive functions. everpreposterous Mrs. Malaprop, who, instead of an alligator seems to Before I proceed further, let me for a moment refer to a point made have discovered once a ''headstrong allegory on the banks of tbe Nile." rather triumphantly bY. the Senator from Connecticut, which also to me I am disposed to think that some opposition to executive sessions with seems irrelevant. He ha-s stated that he had seen ''men, strong in other closed doors has arisen from the unauthorized and unrecognizable re­ respects, relegated to private life simply on account of their use of pat­ porfs of what has been said or done here by Senators. But open doors ronage of the Government." Suppose that to be true, would it not then will not cause such reports to fall into ''innocuous desuetude." News­ be difficult to show what relation it has with executive sessions of the paper correspondents are properly ambitions to show their industry and Senate? TheExecutiveMansion under all circumstances offers the only their wit, p~rhaps rather too ambitious to show that caricature is a fine gateways to patronage. But I deny the validity of the charge. "Strong art; and if they are penned up throughout a dull day in tbe report­ . men" seldom rely upon patronage for their support. They find it an ers' gallery without catching anything with which ''to point a moral embarrassment. It was not the prop of Webster, nor of Benton, nor of or adorn a tale,'' they will fall back upon their own original resources, Douglas, nor of Thurman, nor of any of the "strong men" I now see aud try to furnish some compensation for what they may hold to have ·about me. The distinguished Senator further added these words: been the shortcomings of Senators-whether with the doors opened or I have found it the general, if not the universal, custom of Senators to solicit closed. It may not be a very profound grief to them to be told the nominations at the bands of the President, and then come here and act upon next day that they were all wrong-they are not desperately wicked, those nominations in secret session. If there be a. more monst1·ous impropriety than that I do not know what it is. but hopefully wait to be set right-and guileless Senators, unconscious of any trap or joke, sometimes, perhaps, attempt to set them right, 1 is ' *By leave of tbe Senate, Senator MANDERSON read tbese remarks for Mf. Mon· which all the ''deft and debonair reporters ever wanted. All will BILL, who, in consequence of illness, was unable to be present. remember how the inimitable Grace Green wood once gave a fancy sketch 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 6309 of an executive session where Charles Sumner and another dignified and that confidential relation which is willing to listen to the whole Senator were said to have played leap-frog, while other sedate members truth. It may very well happen that Senators may feel some embar­ were having a sly game of poker behind their desks, and among many rassment about discussing an old friend or neighborwhoseintelligence other unique performances I think she portrayed a wrestling match­ and integrity they are, however, quite ready to indorse, and yet not go-and-catch-as-catch-can-bet'ieen the two Morrills. All this hurt quite ready to make an open and public declaration that their friend is nobody, and the farce had its day. wholly lacking in the efficiency and administrative ability required for These apocryphal reports, however, good-natured or otherwise, made the office under consideration. Many responsible public positions de­ in defiance of the commandment against bearing false witness, at once. mand special learning or special training, and though the nominee may win a special reputation that carries a sufficient antidote for any in­ enjoy the reputation of having creditably filled other official positions, tended or unintended poison. A.s an auxiliary force or argument in at length he may be named for a post where, as some of his best friends support of open executive sessions they are likely to prove no better know, he would prove to be discreditably incompetent, or, as President than boomerangs, which often fly back to plague the inventors. Lincoln was in the habit of saying, would prove to be "a round peg in In spite of this, or even worse than this, I should hope that we may· a square hole." Who would then be eager to step forth here and- still pursue the even tenor of our way, and not feel too ambitious to Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer, have all we may say and do here daily reported in the CoNGRESSIONAL And, without srieering, teach the rest to sneer? RECORD. A ''flash of silence'' now and then will do the Senate no As soon as any executive nomination has been transmitted to the harm, and, otherwise, it is manifest that the annual procession of these Senate abundant communications are often received by Senators from ponderous Congressional volumes will become so extended and bulky their correspondents favoring or condemning the nomination. If these that future generations will not attempt, what now requires a stretch are anonymous little or no weight is attached to them; but if serious of time and courage, to read even the index. charges are made over known and responsible signatures they must be In executive sessions we have to consider and advise about treaties investigated and the accused party notified and invited to answer. with foraign nations, which often involve matters of delicate and con­ Often local party strife begets more or less pen5onal bitterness. If there fidential international relations. Their publicity might frequently be should seem to be any dirty linen adhering to the outgoing or to the productive of some harm. I do not know that any Senator proposes incoming officer it has to be washed in executive sessions. It may all that ordinary treaties shall be discussed in open sessions, although it prove to be immaculate, but open sessions might furnish malignant cor­ would greatly cheapen their surreptitious publication. Let me say, respondents with a tempting opportunity to traduce their political op· however, so long as I may remain a member of the Senate, if any ex­ ponents. Even the complete public refutation of mere gossip often ecutive administration-blind to all our own sad experience, as well as leaves behind an ineradicable stain from the fact that any refutation blind to the Constitution-shall negot-iate what is romantically called has ever been necessary. a reciprocity treaty, regulating our own and some particular foreign Strange• as it may appear, there is occasionally a nomination that tariff or any treaty which requires the supplemental action of the House reaches us which perhaps ought not to have been made, but which, of Representkttives, I shall feel it to be my duty most certainly to urge from special reasons, the Executive can not apparently afford to with­ its consideration and rejection in open session. There is no more pro­ draw, and which the Senate is almost unanimously agreed should priety in considering a treaty tariff in secret, or a tariff about which neither be rejected nor confirmed. Under these circumstances the nom­ only some foreigners have been consulted-utterly without any knowl­ ination, to use the language of Burke, by '' awiseandsalutaryneglect, '' edge on the part of our own people, avoiding protest and comment from quietly drops out of sight with the end of the session. all those most interested-than there would be in concealing our action Many well-deserving, modest men of high sensibilities would rather upon a legislative tariff law, or in suffering foreigners to be diplomatic decline any nomination than to run the gauntlet of sharp tongues in an dictators of its terms; and may I not be pardoned for once more humbly open session of the Senate, where not only virtues but deficiencies and reiterating that there is no constitutional propriety in considering a so­ vanities, if any can be found, may be paraded and forever recorded. called reciprocity treaty either in secret or open session; none whatever. But worse than that, some nominee of distinguished genius, of much The radical invasion of the constitutional powers of the Hom:;e of natural ability, who might have passed the ordeal without a scratch, Representatives by the Senate in ad vising and consenting to reciprocity only that recent habits have not been wholly concealed, and seem known treaties, not one of which has ever practically turned out even decently to a few Senators to be such as must involve great risk as to whether satisfactory to the country, subjects the Senate to the damaging impu­ the person named will at all times confine himself to tation of arrogating and disastrously using extraordinary powers and Thecups ' prerogatives to which it is clearly not entitled. The Committee of That cheer but not inebriate. Ways and Means on the part of the House of Representatives have just Yet such unwelcome cases sometinles turn up, and we know how re­ reported a joint resolution requesting the President to give the required luctantly Yolnnteer accusers come to the front. notice to terminate the Hawaiian treaty, and have also reported ad­ It might possibly happen that even some Senator, goaded by the re­ versely upon the 'Mexican treaty. This is perhaps the death-knell of membrance of unjust personal or political provocations, would exercise reciprocity bad bargains; and while we ought at once and forever to the privilege of free speech in an open session of the Senate to retali.:1.te renounce the omnipotent and anti-republican power to make such trea­ by becloudingthe character of some nominee with unwholesome criti­ ties, my amendment now only proposes, should any of these tariff mon­ cisms or unanswerable innuendoes; but, instead of this, I more fear that strosities hereafter appear, that they shall appear visible to all the world we should have a surfeit of sweets from the Senators locally most in­ with open doors. terested in the form of an elaborate and eulogistic biography of each In executive sessions, also, the Senate has to advise and consent to a and every nominee to any office. The nominees would expect it. Their very wide range of executive nominations to fill all of the most impor­ friend::i would hanker after it. Such eulogies, impregnated with poetry, tant offices of the country. These may have partisan aspects, but they might be very attractive to the inhabitants of Buncombe, who no doubt are mainly of personal importance, and require careful examination as would be made to gaze at the sudden emjnence of their cock-eyed fel­ 1 to the character, fitness, and qualifications of the nominee for the office low citizen and wonder '' That one small head could carry all he knew. ' it is proposed to fill. It is mainly these personal details which we are The literature might be excellent, but, unlike" The Old Farmers' Al­ to impartially and conscientiously weigh and scrutinize, and then give manac,'' would hardly ''answer for Boston and the surrounding coun­ or withhold our ad.vice and consent according to our best jud_gment. try." The general public takes very little interest in these personal matters­ My observation here leads me to the conclusion that in executive most often of merely local account-except that the Senate shall so sessions the testimony received is sifted with judicial fairness and that faithfully and intelligently discharge its official duties that no harm shall substantial truth is nearly always reached in the shortest possible space befall the Republic. What do the people of Iowa care who is postmaster of time. I do not now remember an instance where any man's char­ at Louisville, Ky., if he or she is a competent and faithful officer, and acter has been wrongly and successfully assailed. In arrriving at an not likely to become a defaulter? What do the people of New England impartial and upright decision in an executive session of the Senate a care about who is collector of internal revenue in North Carolina, U he popular audience would be no more helpful than it would be in aiding is a. competent and worthy man, not afraid of '' moonshiners, '' and will a verdict within a jnry-room. The influence certainly would not be honestly collect and deposit the revenue to the credit of the United specially healthy. Beyond all this I have no doubt that open execu­ States Treasury? Of course Senators, not wholly free from "offensive tive sessions would very greatly prolong the duration of every session partisanship," greatly prefer nominees when selected from their own of Congress. Much more time would be consumed, with less satis­ political party; but that is a condition irrevocably settled by the pref­ factory results, and subject the Senate to criticism, unlike any now ex­ erence of the President himself, and it is rare that the Commander-in­ isting, which might have some just foundation. Chief ever risks having a "bone to pick " with his own party by the But it is said that even if the doors of the Senate continue to be kept gift of the smallest bone to his opponents. nominally closed the doings in executive sessions will somehow leak It has sometimes happened 'liter a nomination has been made that out and be sure to be disclosed. If that is inevitable, then open-door facts are communicated to the Senate which deserved to be made known advocates are already sure of the full measure of their demands without to the President; and, when so made known, have induced the with­ further action; but it has been more than hinted by those who favor drawal of the nomination~ and saved the extrememeasureofrejection. open sessions that disclosures much better than mere guess-work are Considering the brief time the Senate can have to make sufficient made, and made by some incontinent member of the Senate. I have and proper inquiries as to personal qualifications or disqualifications, no opinion on that matter; but if the fact were to be admitted, it is a there must be in our deliberations the utmost freedom and frankness, melancholy remedywhich is now proposed, namely, to open the doors 6310 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30, and galleries to all the world to prevent the leaky complaint from nees, if they should not sink to a farce,· would soon leave the Senate, spreading and contaminating the whole Senate. in its executive capacity, with a diminished independence that ulti· I am not willing to sacrifice the useful and wholesome methods of mately would only tamely register the edicts of the Executive Mansion. the founders of our republican institutions, even were the suspicion Disagreeable discussions over disagreeable nominations would be well founded, as I trust it is not, that seventy-six gentlemen are too shunned and finally abandoned. The inevitable would be accepted. many to be entrusted with confidential communications, o:r that there The executive functions of the Senate are far less broad, as the Mad­ has been any offending member here; but, on sufficient proof of the ison papers abundantly show, than many of the stern republicans in violation of the penalty rule, as long as that remains the law of the the constitutional convention of 1787 advocated, for they-ever dis· case the offending member should be cut off. At the same time I trustful of the prerogatives of a single ruler-attempted to endow the should be glad to modify the rule and to let the obligation upon mem­ Senatewith the sole power toappointjudgesandothersuperiorofficers. bers, now hedged around with penalties, rest solely upon their indi­ The final adjustment, by which these appointments were all made de­ vidual sense of decency arid propriety. If any member has obtained pendent upon the approval of the Senate, was consented to as the min­ license and absolution for disobedience to the rule he may still feel the imum of control to be reserved to the Senate; and the time has not obligations of good breeding. come for the Senate to abdicate any share of its executive functions, If it has been attempted by a tilt of so-called reformers in any quar­ nor has the time come to confess its degeneracy by a pusillanimous ter to bring executive sessions with closed doors into disrepute, if some abandonment of the only proper mode through which such functions libels by parties assuming the characterofeaves-droppersornecroman­ have been or ever can be efficiently maintained. cers have appeared, or if, to our surprise, some open and eloquent as­ All of the ordinary business of committees here, as well as in the sailants have appeared, let them all be squarely met by proclaiming House of Representatives, is conducted not open to the public, but our faith in the past, faith in the future that knows no fear, and stead­ with closed doors. According to Jefferson's Manual "the proceedings fastly adhere to the American rule of honorably discharging the duties of a committee are not to be published, as they are of no force till con­ of executive sessions with closed doors, as was so clearly originally in- firmed by the House." By the Journals of the House of Representa­ tended. . tives it will also be further seen that "it is not in order to allude on For myself I shall not, by favoring the change proposed, plead guilty the floor to anything that has taken place in committee, unless by a to any charge or inference that the United States Senate with its doors written report sanctioned by a majority of the committee." closed is any less entitled to the confidence and respect of our fellow­ Even after the report no member of the committee is permitted to countrymen than with its doors open. refer to anything or to divulge anything done in the committee "save It is very plain that members of the Senate with that knowledge only what is to be found in the written report of the committee." This rule to be derived from actual experience must know the propriety and value is daily enforced by the Speaker of the House, and was enforced con­ of closed doors in executive sessions far better than any outsiders. I spicuously by Speaker CARLISLE a few days since in the notable case venture to think it may be well to have some confidence in ourselves, of FORAN and O'NEILL. some courage to do our duty without apprehending that our own people There are one hundred and two committees of Congres&---forty-seven are afraid to trust us out of sight. We shall all be judged at last accord­ of the Senate and fifty-five of the House-constantly holding their ses­ ing to our works. The Senate, e:ven with the doors closed, fails not to sions with closed doors; but does any brand-new reformer venture to make its record, and its conclusions in due season never fail to "leap stigmatize such sessions as belonging to the age of a "star-chamber" to light." We need no other vindication. oligarchy, or that the hard-working members of these unseen commit­ The proposition to hold executive sessions of the Senate with open tees are all aristocrats though wearing the livery of democrats? doors can not be maintained with any greater propriety or with more The preliminary work of committees is the most important work cogent reasons t~n a like proposition could be maintained to compel done in Congress. The committees are the index-fingers which point the President to admit spectators and reporters to the meetings of his and guide the ultimate action of both Houses. Is there any public Cabinet, and then to have all the facts, suggestions, and discussions, clamor that these committees shall do their work with open doors? relevant and irrelevant, which may there appear in regard to nomina­ The work of the Senate in executive session, not being the cons.idera­ tions unloaded and dumped into the breezy columns of the evening tion oflegislative measures, much more requires that the public should and morning newspa-pers. be excluded until the ripe reports have been made of its final action. Under our standing rules, when the President of the United States The excuse of the Senate for holding its legislative sessions with sh~l meet the Senate in the Senate Chamber for the consideration of closed doors at the outset might very well have been the paucity of excutive business, he is to have a seat on the right of the presiding offi­ its numbers. On the 4th of March, 1789, only eight members were cer. What a "field day'' in an open session we should have with the present, and not until the 6th of April was there a quorum of twelve. President, "the manliest of men," at the right of the presiding officer, All of the f:!tates were not fully represented until July 25, when especially if, in addition to other visit.ors and to the Corps Diplomatique, twenty-two Senators appeared. On the first day of the next session, the wife of the President, the first lady of the Republic, ''glittering like January 4, 1790, only ten members were present, and up to May 18 the morning star, full of life and splendor," shouldllappen to be in the only twenty-one had appeared, though all were present J nne 26. At reserved galleries. the opening of the third session, December 6, 1790, only fifteen mem­ Whether the President shall be present or not, the Senate, for the bers were present, and all did not appear till February 15, 1791. At purposes indicated, is a fixed portion of the executive branch of the Gov­ the first session of the Second Congress only seventeen were present at ernment. One of the prominent constitutional features of the Senate the opening, and the full Senate does not seem to have been present at is its participation in certain executive duties by which the otherwise any time during the session. During the second session of the Second absolute power of the President over the appointment and removal of Congress, Vermont and Kentucky having been admitted, out of thirty United States officials is held in some check and made subject to the members twenty-eight appeared during the session. At the opening of Senate's revision and co-opet

the Senate must be confidentially obtained to many of the official ads Constitution has placed it in. · They ought not to desire, and I am sure of the President, is wholly an American institution; and the closed that on reflection they will not desire, that the proper conduct of the · doors of executive sessions are absolutely essential to its vital force and foreign affairs of this country or the character of the appointments ro healthy preservation. · its domestic offices shall be sacrificed to any one interest, even if it be After an experience of nearly a century, an experience maintained one so important and influential as their own. by the approval of the wisest statesmen of all parties, the innovation The public sentiment of this country demands that the Senate shall ·now proposed that executive sessions to consider nominations shall be do what on full deliberation and discussion it thinks just and right. held with open doors to the public, dismissing all confidential rela­ It makes no other demand upon ns whatever. tions, would seem to me such a freak of levity as would not comport An absolutely decisive proof that there is no public desire for a change with the character of the American Senate. For any existing evils in this respect is this: There are nineteen States where the advice and open doors can not offer a panacea, but, instead, would offer a new consent either of the senate or an executive council is required for the brood of evils more numerous than those of Pandora's box. appointment of certain officers. In only one is it the practice to delib­ Having no chronic aversion to any measure of real reform, giving to erate with open doors. Nowhere is there any popular demand for a many such measures the right hand of fellowship, I am yet not ready change. In the other States public officers are appointed by the gov­ to renounce all reverence to the institutions ordained and practically ernor or by popular elections. tested and established by the framers of our Constitution; and it ap­ The function of selecting men for important executive employment pears to me unadvisable to hail open-door executive sessions as a meas­ is a common one. The great university, the college, the school board, ure of reform. On the contrary, it would tend ultimately to cripple, the directors of corporations great and small, private firms, the Presi­ if it should not destroy, that great American measure of reform in the dent and Cabinet are constantly performing it. The suggestion that civil polity of nations by which absolute executive power can be in either should discuss these things in the presence of the public would some degree limited and divided. As ages roll round there are many everywhere be received with derision. No man, so far a.s I know, ever improvementB beneficial to the human race in which the New World dreamed that Cabinet discussions of such things should be open. There moves and often takes the lead, but these onward movementB will not is no possible resemblance between the claim of the Senate to have ac­ be promoted by obliterating the deepest traces of the customs of our cess to the facts which appear in the public archives of the Government most illustrious predecessors, and surely will not be promoted by tak­ and a demand for removing the veil of confidence from such discussions ing a step backward in the march of popular governments. whether in the Senate ot the Cabinet. Mr. HOAR. I am very sorry, Mr. President, to set an example of Mr. President, the advocates of this new rule can not point to a spot the practice of discussing questions until they are before the Senate for on the face of the earth, with one possible exception, where either of practical decision, but several Senators have addressed the Senate upon these two functions, assenting to treaties or selecting officers for ap­ this resolution and have complained that their arguments have found pointment, is performed by a deliberative assembly whose discussions no reply, and it seems due to the gravity of the question, to the Senate, are public. That is the universal experience of mankind. Nor can and to the American people that there should be stated without further they find anywhere any disposition to make th~m public outside of the delay some of the arguments upon which the existing practice rests. artificial pressure that it is now attempted to put upon the Senate. The resolution before the Senate involves two very simple questions. But it is said the Senate is unpopular, that we do not see ourselves In deciding whetheritwillbefortheadvautageofthisnation to make as others see us, that we are losing the confidence of the people. Even a bargain with a foreign power is it for the public interest that Sen­ my wise and sober friend from Connecticut seems to think that this _ ators should talk over the matter among themselves without admit­ silly stuff about the American house of lords has some cla1m to our ting that power to hear what they say? serious consideration. I believe, on the contrary, that the Senate of the · In determining whether the Senate will advise and consent to the ap­ United States never performed more perfectly its constitutional func­ pointment of seven thousand three hundred public officers is it for the tion and never stood higher in the estimation of the people from the public interest that Senators should talk over together in confidence the inauguration of the Constitution until this hour. I think my friend character, the quality, the habits, the ability of the men proposed? from Connecticut misunderstands the sentiment of the American peo­ These two functions, from the beginning of the Government until this ple when he thinks they undervalue the Senate. His modest nature hour, with rare and extra.ordinary exceptions, have been performed as does not know the strength of his own place in the public regard. they are performed now. The authority oftheSena.teitself, ofthe men Whatever cloud of detraction may arise, the clear sense of the Ameri­ charged by the States of this Union with these important duties, with can people pierces its thin and pestilent mist. their experience of a hundred years, is in favor of the existing practice, I hold myself the humblest of the members here. But I should be and, as the Senator from Connecticut has well shown, of an increasing unworthy the confidence which the people of the venerable Common­ strictness in its observance. · · wealth I represent have reposed in me if I were to admit that when The Constitution declares that ''each House may determine the rules they called me to this trust they supposed they were summoning me of its proceeding," and that "each House shall keep a journal of its to a degrading office or to a degrading companionship. I agree with proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such the Senator from Connecticut that the Senator is the servant of the parts as may in their judgment require secrecy.'' The framers of the people. But his service can be neither useful to them nor with honor Constitution rightly referred this whole question to the discretion of to himself unless his conscience and his understanding be left free. He the Senate. No experience can by any possibility be as valuable as the holds his high office on no other or meaner condition. To do whatever experience of the Senate itself; no judgment can be like its judgment; the lord will hath ever been held bythecommon law to beatenureofa no authority like your authority in determining the convenient rule base nature, and it is a tenure which never can be ennobled, whether and method of your proceeding. the lordship be in one or a million men. This is answer enough to those gentlemen who tell us that public This independent personal responsibility in the Senator never has been opinj.on requires us to alter our rule. The framers of the Constitution and never is likely to be incompatible with a proiound study of public were men of large experience in public bodies where legislative and opinion and a profound respect for the people's wish. There is no danger executive functions were blended. They knew that it was indispensa­ that the people will think so. They know too well their own ·history. ble to the due and orderly conduct of the public business in the public They know too well the history of the Senate. Is not the Senate alive interest that some part of it should be conducted in secret. They knew and alert to all new questions; to the demand of public interest or the that no unbending rule could be laid down in advance and that nobody expression of the people's will? Is it not so in this day and this genera­ else could establish the proper limit between publicity and secrecy so tion as never before? It was, it is true, intended by the framers of the well as the two Houses themselves. Constitution as a certain conservative and restraining force. Every part But I utterly deny that there is any public sentiment which favors of our legislative and administrative system is meant to give voice to the a change of our rule in this particular. I know that it would be ex­ will of the people. H"ere you have its deliberate will, itB sober second tremely convenient for the newspapers to have Qur sessions open. I thought. But I am willing to take the history of the Senate from 1860 agree that the convenience of so large and influential a body of men as tothishour, andchallengeanybodytoshowthatithasnotbeenthelead~r the conductors of the press deserves the greatest consideration. It is in accomplishing and in trying to accomplish all the great reforms de­ never likely to be neglected in a free .country. Its wants will be made manded by a people the law of whose life is progress. Was the Senate known with all due emphasis. Nolegisla.torislikelytoerron the side behindhand in the great and original policies which subdued the ·rebel­ of disregarding them. But, with one exception, I have neveryetseen lion and saved the Union? How was it with the great amendments to or heard from a single person in this country not connected with a news­ the Constitution? The thirteenth amendment first passed the Senate. paper who felt much interest in the subject or who thought the change The fourteenth amendment first passed the Senate. The fifteenth desirable. passed the House first, but passed the Senate the very next day. The .Mr. President, the press has become in this country one of the most law which restored specie payment was matured and first passed in the important, honored, and influential of the liberal professions. There Senate. The national banking act, the refunding act, and a hundred is none which at this moment offers to -the youth of America a :field others have had their conception and their original passage here. The more attractive to an honorable ambition. Like other professions. it great modern homestead law was introduced in the Senate and in the pas its unworthy members. But, as a rule, the conductors of the press House, and, although it first passed there, the Senate contributed its of America. are men of honor and character. They are patriotic citi­ full share to its final perfection. Who matured and passed the civil­ zens who desire the public wel£.·ue. They must as good citizens expect service-reform act? Where was the Presidential succession bill fash­ the Government of the country to be administered by the hands that the ioned? Where does the country look to-day for great measures of prao- 6312 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30, tical legislation? What legislative body in this country more entirely Second. To open the doors to those debates on executive questions reflects the best and most advanced public sentiment, at this moment, must, as everybody will see, hn.ve a vast tendency to prolong them. than the Senate? The Senate is the only deliberative body under the Constitution where I ain not now instituting a comparison between political parties. I debate and amendment are unfettered. There is no previous question speak of those matters where there is no party division in this Cha.m­ here. It is said that a great historian traced the decline of the liber­ ber. If any mn.n or body of men desire the redress of a grievance or ties of Rome to the limit placed upon the freedom of speech in public protection against a danger or the adoption of a new policy, they discussion. On a memorable occasion in our own history the Democratic come here. We have matured and once sent down the bankruptcy leaders threatened forcible resistance to an attempt by a majority to bill, the bill to provide against the return of the peril of a disputed establish an hour rule for debate and to introduce the previous ques­ Presidential succession, the interstate-commerce bill, the new pension tion into our practice. How long the increasing number of the States bills, and many others. How often is the appeal made to Senators to and of the vast concerns demanding legislation will permit us to main­ pass important measures of legislation because to pass them here is the tain this freedom of dl cussion we can not tell. But open discussion only way to get n.ttention for them in the House. This, too, although on appointments to office will, in my judgment, soon bring it to an the House, by the Constitution, has the sole power to originate revenue end. bills, and, under the established practice, the sole power to originate Third. There are many considerations notinvolvingmoral turpitude general appropriation bills. This talk about this body as an American which frequently must be brought to the attention of the Senate in per­ house of lords, a body of men removed from the people, spending its forming this constitutional duty. There are cases of insanity, of time in selfish and inglorious ease, thinking of its own dignity and self­ mental idiosyncrasies, of advancing age where it would be cruel to have importance, is the merest and the idlest chatter. The office of Senator the discussion public. I can recall several cases during my own serv­ is a constant burden of labor and responsibility. I do not believe that ice here where, without the slightest party difference, we have had to it is equaled in these respects on the whole by any other under the Gov­ decide whether it would be true kindness to a young man who had ernment, with, perhaps, a single exception. nt some time been intemperate to expose him to the temptations of The notion, too, tbatthereis a. claim of Senn.torial prerogati\e or privi­ official life. I can not understand how any body can insist that snch lege or courtesy-a demand that the public offices shall be treated as things shall be talked of in open Senate. the patronage of members of this body is, so far as relates to the present Fourth. It is sn.id that secrecy is alwn.ys bad and unrepublican. day, a myth. It belongs to a time which has passed, never to return. The walls and partitions of our houses should be of glass that all man­ Whateverlifeithadgrewupin theadministration ofMr. Johnson when kind ma.y look in. This notion is as unnatural as it is impr-actical. the two-thirds majority felt justified in going to the extreme of all con­ Its advocates will abandon it when you come to apply it to a hundred stitutional resources to save what had been gained by the war from be­ other departments of the public service. Who says this of the jury or ing surrendered by the President. This claim did not long survive the the grand jury? Who says so of the deliberations of the Cabinet, of administration of Mr. Johnson's successor. the conduct of any other executive business, public or private, of the Equally trifling and fanciful is the charge that the Senate adopts or discussions of committees? Who says so of any other appointing power preserves this policy because of any notion that its dignity is increased anywhere on earth? by an appearance of mystery. I mn appeal to the consciousness of every Fifth. But it is said the Senate now discusses the personal charac­ individual Senator that no such notion ever occurred to them. ter of men with open doors when we are debating bills to relieve officers These two functions-the making bargains with foreign powers and from the sentence of courts-martial and like cases. There are a few the approving or rejecting persons nominated for public office-are per­ such cases in which we speak only of what the public records show. formed in confidence, because their nature is such that it is for the in­ Such debates differ very widely from such general considerations of the terest of the public service they should be so performed. That is the traits of personal character as enter into an original selection. . whole of it. Sixth. It is said, too, that in popular elections the qualities and ca­ I suppose the slightest reflection will sn.tisfy every man that openness pacity of candidates are discussed before the whole people. But the or secrecy of the vote and the debate must go together. The right to argument seems to me to have no application here. The candidate for state to the public the reasons for the vote must exist if the vote be elective office is presumed to be known to the constituency to.whose made public. su·ffrages his name is submitted. If the office be small, the constitu­ Treaties, of course, are submitted to the Senate before they are rati­ ency is small. The electors are the n~ighbors or townsmen of the can­ fied and while it is in the power of the other party to withdraw. didate. If the office be of a higher class, as the executive of the State Many of them we shall always approve as a matter of course without or the nation, the persons voted for are ordinarily expected to be men as discussion or division. The formal proceeding by which we assent to widely known to their countrymen. But even in such cases we abstain them will have no interest outside the Cl!amber. It will be only those commonly from personalities. Those persons who have thought it their that involve large international interests, which deal with and com­ duty to make attacks on the personal character of Presidential candi­ pose grave disputes, about which there will be public curiosity. There dates, except in cases of very gross personal unworthiness, doitatagreat are treaties which put an end to great wars; treaties which prevent cost to themselves in the loss of the respect of their fellow-citizens. great wars by composing great and heated strifes; treaties where in But the names submitted to our appro"fal are almost always unknown dealing with one nation we secure great advantages over another; to the majority of Senators. We must depend on the Senators from treaties where we give and take great and imperial equivalents and ex­ the State where the officer dwells, or on special inquiry by committees. change commercial benefits. In negotiating these treaties we insist on \Ve must preserve the right to receive and the right to make confiden­ the value of what we give to the othercontractin~ power. In discuss­ tial communications, or the public service will suffer. Senators certainly ing them in the Senate we insist on the value of what we receive. will not feel at liberty to withhold such in1ormation as they may have or Open debate will be as much in the hearing of our commercial rivals such opinions as they may entertain about men in their own States. as in that of our own people. Such discussions often require the ex­ Is every member of this body henceforth to be exposed to a public cat­ pression of judgments as to the character and designs and weaknesses of echism as to the personal quality of every person nominated from his foreign nations which would tend to destroy friendly relations. The S~te? . very recent experience of the Senate will furnish to every Senator a suf­ Seventh. But it is said the confidence of executive session is violated ficient example of what I mean. now. That may be, for the purpose of the argument, admitted to be The reasons are still stronger against such a change of our rules as true to some extent. But there is much exaggeration in the common shall put it in the power of a single man to provoke a public debate belief. With the present numbers of the Senate executive secrets are upon the personal character of any one of nearly seventy-five hundred known to eighty-eight persons. On important occasions, where special offil•rs. I do not speak of the Senator's interest or comfort or conven­ effort has been made to discover them, experience may have shown that ience. I speak only of the interest of the public. It is as important the proceedings of executive se..~ions have been betrayed. The reports to the public that the Senator should be free from the bias occasioned of such proceedings which reach the public are always attended bythe by the desire to make friends or the fear to make enemies when he votes suspicion which belongs to assertions which must rest for their original npon nominations as that he should be free from the corrupting influ­ title to belief solely on the credit which belongs to the veracity of a ence of personal gain. The Senator who votes to reject an unworthy scoundrel. But the great body of our executive proceedings, especially aspirant who has power and influence enough, in spite of his worth­ those which involve discussion of individual character, will in my lessness, to get a nomination from the President is pretty sure to have judgment almo t always remain undisclosed. I do not think that the to account to somebody. Public discussion here must involve public framers of the Constitution would have deposited this share of execu­ discu~ sion elsewhere with every disappointed man. It is, I repeat, Mr. tive power in the Senate if they had anticipated its great increase in President, wholly a matter of the public interest and not of yours or numbers. When it becomes impracticable to exercise it in the· confi­ mine. But it is as much for the public interest to protect the inde­ dence of private sessions it will be time to remove it altogether. pendence of the Senator in this way as it is to protect the independence Eighth. But the Senator from Connecticnt asks "how is public senti­ of the judge by the life tenure. Everybody agrees that the confidence ment reflected in this country but from the press?" It is reflected in of communication to the Executive on the part of private citizens should a thousand ways. In matters of government it is reflected in the con­ be respected and secured; although some persons who discuss this sub­ Rtitntional way by petitions, and by the voice of the people in elections. ject marvelously misunderstand and misstate the attitude of the Senate The people expect to hold their legislators to their constitutional func­ upon that matter. Is it not quite as important that the confidence of tions and sworn constitutional duty of doing what they shall themselves Senators in communicating with one another should likewise be re­ believe is best for the public interest. There is but one method by epected and secured? which the Senator or the Representative is to ascertain the sentimeni 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 6313

of the people; and that is by finding out what is right. Thfl mistakes It. is true there has been some delay in dealing with these nom· and the misfortunes of the public men of this country have arisen, not inations; but manifestly I Lhink not so much as usual. This has from a disregard of public sentiment, but from a disregard of their own been partly owing to the pressure of legislative business in a ses· sense of right in the-endeavor to please a temporary popular demand, sion in which, as both sides of the Chamber will agree, the Senate and a loss of public confidence in so doing. The man who loses the has labored with an unprecedented industry. But it has been largely habit of seeking for what is right loses with it the capacity to form a due t{) the President himself. He avowed before his inauguration correct judgment ofthe true opinion of the American people. that removals of officen~ disconnected with the policy of an adminis· Ninth. If we change our rule these two functions will imperfectly tration should not be made on partisan grounds. He bas declared in and unavowedly and under many disadvantages and inconveniences be a recent message that he hoped •• the holders of public office might find exercised in practice and substance as they are now. · The advantages protection against unjust suspensions in the justice of the Executive. we are to get in treaties will be discussed in private and not disclosed Now, when he proposes to remove these thousands of civil officers, to the other party or to our rivals until the treaty is made. Senators having nothing to do with the policy of his administration, against who do not know them or the men who recommend them will be largely whose personal and official integrity their Democratic neighbors would influenced in their votes in confirming or rejecting persons nominated disdain to bring an accusation, and refuses, as is his clear and un­ for office by the opinion of the men who do know them or the men who questioned right, to confess his reasons, it becomes the duty of the Sen· recommend them. This opinion will be communicated in private, as ate, so long as the law makes its consent a part ofthe process, so to ex· now. You will retain most of the evils and lose most of the advantage press that consent as to protect if it can the reputation of these officials. of the present system if you undertake to change it. But this is neither au impediment to the Executive nor an injury to An attempt is made in some quarters to connect this question with the new official. These appointees in the pla-ce of suspended officers the difference of opinion which has lately arisen between the President are all in office from the time of their first appointment. Bnt their law· and the Senate. It is said, "You demand that the Presidentshalldis­ ful term of four years begins with their new commission after the con­ close to you the reasons on which he acts in making removals from sent of the Senate has been given. So that every day's delay of the office and the documents which exhibit those reasons; but you refuse Senate simply postpones the time for the ending .of the lawful term of to disclose to the people whose servants you are the reasons on which office of every Democrat who takes the place of a suspended officer. you a.ct and the documents which exhibit those reasons when you con­ Mr. President, no President of the United States, not even Wash· fum or reject nominations. ington, has been treated by his countrymen with an indulgence like I do not mean to reopen that debate. . The Senate has never de­ that which has been extended to Mr. Cleveland. This, too, while his manded to know the President's reasons for anything. It has never competitor for the great office of the Presidency, with his brilliant questioned his right to receive communications, written or verbal, in record of a public service of twenty years, idolized by such large num· absolute confidence and to maintain that confidence inviolate. A large hers of his countrymen, who believe that had the people's will had its majority of the Senate, as I think, believe further that the spirit of the lawful and constitutional expression he would now be in the seat Constitution requires that the Executive should be clothed with the sole which is of right his, has been pursued even to his retirement with a power and responsibility ofthe removal of executive offieers-a power malignity unsurpassed in political warfare. and responsibility which it was not intended the Senate should share. The President of the United States is responsible for the executive What we do claim is, that either House of Congress is entitled, as of service of the country. He is sworn to take care that the laws be right, to have access to all the documents in the public archives which faithfully executed. The conduct, the misconduct of every execu· show how the executive offices of the Government are or have been tive official, when it is based upon a wrong principle and the official is administered; and this, whether the information be sought for that retained in office after the President knows it, belongs to him by a instruction in the general political history and condition of the country direct personal responsibility. It is upon this ground alone that the , essential to intelligent legislation, or for special legislative purposes, argument rests which denies to the Senate any share in the constitu­ or to enable the Senate to obey the tenure-of-office act, under which tional process of removal. I think that argument is sound. The of.ficers whom the President has suspended, not removed, may be re­ President cau act only by subordinate instruments. He can not "take stored to their functions if the Senate refuse to confirm their succes­ care that the laws be faithfully executed," the "executive office" is sors. Of the proper occasion to exercise this right we believe such leg­ not really "vested in him," if he be compelled to retain instruments islative body to be the sole judge. in whom he has not confidence. I hope to see what is left of the ten· There has been, in some quarters, a disposition to charge the Senate ure-of-office law repealed for that reason. But his supporters can not with a purpose to embarrass the administration of President Cleveland. claim for him the benefit of this principle and escape the responsibility. There never was a greater mistake. This Republican Senate has shown All intelligent men, of whatever party, would have just.ly blamed a greater deference to this Democratic President than was ever shown the Senate if we had refused to permit the President to appoint the by a Republican Senate to any of his Republican predecessors. Among present Secretary of the Treasury or Postmaster-General,. or Commis· its earliest acts was the bill which diverted the succession to the Pres­ sioner of Pensions, or the collectors of the port.s or the postmasters of idency from its own chosen officer who is under its own control to an the chief cities, being men of good personal character, because we official appointed by him, a bill which the Democratic House refused do not approve their political principles. The title to the office of Pres· to entertain when Republicans were in power. An amendment to the ident carries with it under our Constitution, by the will of the people, Constitution, favorably reported from a Republican committee, has the right to select these instruments for the faithful execution of the unanimously passed the Senate which will prolong his term of office laws. The President may, of course, make mistakes, for which be will two months. We have promptly created a new officer to enable the not be blamed, if when they are discovered he promptly set them Secretary of the Treasury to remain in office during the illness we all right. But for every error of principle, persisted in after it is discov­ so much regret. Thereare7,318officers, civil, military, and naval, who ered, the President is as responsible for the conduct of these subor· require confirmation by the Senate. Of these, 3, 725 belong to the mil­ dinates as for his own. itary, naval, and revenue service, leaving 3, 593 of the civil service proper. In j udgi..J:!g, therefore, of the President's fidelity to the cause of a re­ The terms of nearly all these would expire by their own limitation form in the civil service we must look not only to his own conduct and during the present administration. The President has already, in fif­ policy but to the conduct. and policy of those officials whom he has teen months, nominated successors to 2,087 of these civil officers. There selected, whom he has clothed with power, whom he can at any time are left 1,306 upon whom time or the ax of the Presidential headsman instantly remove, with many of whom he is in daily intercourse and are hereafter to do their work. I presume that by the end of his ter:n whose execution of the law it is his sworn official duty to supervise there will not be twenty Republicans left in office in the United States and control. whom he can get at, where he has the powe:c...under the law to give the Judging by this test, I do not find that the Executive has kept or has places to Democrats. Yet the Senate of the entire number has alrea.dy attempted to keep the pledges which preceded and followed his election. confirmed 1, 749 and rejected but 16. The power of apiJointment to office seems to me to have been used by General Grant came into power on a triumphant tide of popular fa.­ the present administration with as absolute and single a purpose of vor and affection. The Senate, as well as the other branch, was made promoting partisan interests as it was under Van Buren or Pierce. It up of his supporters by a majority of more than three to one. Yet in is said that. with some notable and very significant exceptions the law his first Congress 25 of his nominations were rejected, 142 fell with the passed in President Arthur's time has been obeyed. There has been adjournment without action, and 92 were withdrawn. In the second in my judgment a remarkable contrast between the manner of observ· Congress of his first term 7 were rejected, 95 fell with adjournment, and ance of this law under the present administration and its predecessor. 119 were withdrawn. • But we had a right to expect much more than compliance with this In Grant's second term-I give for brevity the two Congresses to­ Republicitb.law. That law is not his achievement. That he has obeyed gether-there were 1·~jected in Grant's second term 52, fell with theses­ it is not his merit. We bad aright to expect a firm forward step. In· sion 269, withdrawn 184, returned to the President 1. stead of that., he has failed to make a single one of his subordinates un­ In Hayes's term there were rejected 103, withdrawn 103, fell with derstand that he means business. We find in a very few localities, the sessions 298, and returned to the President 56. where the Democratic party needs the votes of civil-service reformers In the term of Garfield and Arthur there were rejected 29, fell with for any hope of success, some sHght concession is made to this senti· sessions 107, withdrawn 89, returned to the President 22. ment, w bile the doctrine ''to the victors belong the spoils '' is in force See bow much more liberally in this respect we have dealt with the for the rest of the country. The appointing power is bestowed upon Democratic administration than with our own. the President by the Constitution. Where is the constitutional war· 6314 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30,

rant for its exercise on one principle in Boston and another in Baltimore? That is no sound constitutional doctrine which is not good for the What doctrine of reform is that which is good for the post-office inNew whole country. We must distrust the professions of those who pra.c­ York and not good fortbe regisLryof deeds in Washington; orwhichis tice one thing in one State and another in another, which giTes the sound where it will not hurt the Democratic party and unsound where spoil to the victor, or pays respect to the desire to divorce the civil it will hurt the Democratic party? What new oath of office is that service from politics according to the local exigencies of the Democratic which binds a Chief Magistrate to reform where, and only where, the party. In Massachusetts, the civil-service reformers are to be, I will Democratic party will not deem itself injured? not say decoyed, but attracted, persuaded, enticed from the ranks of There are two doctrines concerning this matter of the civil service, the Republican party, or there is no hope for Democmcy. You find in each of which has found its defenders. One is that the offices of the that State, therefore, a certain respect for that sentiment, and a certain country, great and small, are the legitimate rewaJ."ds of party Sl·rvice slowness in maki'ng changes. Even there, however, I have never seen and the fuir prize of political victory. The other is that the officers of an exhibition of a blind party spirit which surpassed that which has the country are to serve the people and not to bribe them; that those been shown by some of those gentlemen who left the Republican party officers whose conduct is not to be affect~d by their opinion shall be to vote for President Cleveland and who now seek to cover their mis­ chosen without thought of their pn.rty as you select the officers of a take by claiming him as a civil-service reformer. What a difference church or the officers of a bank. To the latter President Cleveland is between their captious criticism of Republicans and their blind adora· thomughly pledged. He has acted upon the former as faithfully as tionofDemocrats. What a straining at Republican gnats, what a swal­ anyl'resident in our history. There was never a worse example of the lowing of Democratic camels ! desertion of a good cause than the desertion of civil-service reform by In Massachuse~ts, the problem is to gain Republican recruits. In the men who abandoned the Republican party to vote for Mr. Cleve­ Maryland, the problem is to hold fast a trained and drilled Democratic land, and who are now seeking to cover their mistake by proclaiming army. ~The policy of the administration for Maryland has been de­ that ''the President is doing very well,'' and that he is true to the pro­ scribed by an eminent Democrat of the highest authority, Mr. FIND­ fessions on which he was elected. If there be no truth in these gen­ LAY, whose earnestness in the cause of pure government is not likely tlemen's professions, the President is doing very well. If there be truth to be disputed. He has lately declared, and the authentic report of his in them, he is doing very badly. declaration is on our tables, that ''the spoils Democracy have corrupted There are 3,593 civil officers whom the Presidentpersonallyappoints and debauched the franchise of Maryland, and have made, th,rough the with the consent of the Senate. Of these about eighty are judges with a agency of the President, appointments which cause the nl:\me of civil­ life tenure; collectors of internal re\enue, the Director of the Mint, and service reform to be offen,!iive." The editor of the Civil-Service Re­ perhaps a few others hold office by an indefinite tenure. All these lat­ former, published in the chief city in that State, charges that the Demo­ ter be has already removed and filled their places with Democrats. Of cratic postmaster had made three hundred appointments-in the month the rest he has already nominated successors for upward of two thousand. of April over one hundred, at the rate of over four a day, and had been The terms of all these would expire by their legal limitation during his able to select almost invariably from the ranks of his own party; and term. Yet his ax is constantly falling upon the necks of worthy and that he had reduced the operation of the law to a sham. faithful officers for no other reason but that they are Republicans, and Mr. President, the Commissioner of Pensions testified the other day, he wants their places for Democrats. To his credit be it said that the March 2..5, 1886, before a committee of the Senate: . poor pretense of offensive partisanship seems wholly abandoned. The I have remoYed as many Republicans as I could with due r~rd to the ex­ invitation to Democratic members of Congress to make secret charges pedition of public business. I can state approximately tbat90 per cent. of those originallY appointed have been Democrats. Out of seventy-seven appointed a!!ainst honorable Republican office-holders has, I am glad to believe, under civil-service rules, seventy-two have been Democrats, and five politics h: mo51i instances been contemptuously spurned. This invitation given unknown. by a member of the Cabinet, but of whi~ the President could not be The President who has found leisure to reprove Congress as to its ignorant, and of which the full resposibility rests upon him, is espe­ method of discharging its legislative duties will not plead ignorance of cially odious. It deprives American citizens of honorable public sta­ the existing method of the execution Qf the laws which it is his sworn tion, withQut notice or trial, on a charge of offensiveness. It removes constitutional duty to superintend. The officer who made that utter­ responsibility from the Executive to the member of Congress, contrary ance three months ago is in office to-day. That declaration has become . to the spirit of the Constitution, thereby keeping alive the worst feature by the law of constitutional responsibility the President's own. There of the old system. It degrades the member of Congress into a secret is but one constitutional origin and one constitutional responsibility informer. The occupation of the rag-picker of the Parisian gutter is for the application in grossest form of the doctrine ''to the victors belong respectable compared to that which this policy assigns to the successor the spoils" to the judges in the Territories, and the clerks in the Pen­ of the august and stately Washington and of brave and honest old sion Office. kMA~. . The two persons from whose character the theory and practice of any It is not necess.·uy to invoke the responsibility for his subordinates administration in the matter of true civil service can be best judged which the Constitution imputes to the President to ascertain his prin­ are, I suppose, the chairman of the Civil Service Commission and the ciples and intentions in regard to the use of patronage for party ad­ appointment clerk in the Treasury. The latter is :Mr. Higgins, of vantage. Judges in the Territories have a term of office established Maryland. The former, Mr. Oberly, of illinois, was one of those two bylaw of four years. No power is expressly given to the President to most efficient Democratic ma{!hine politicians who, as chairman and remove them. The constitutional principle which applies to executive secretary of the Democratic State executive committee of Illinois, furn­ officeTS does not affect them. Many eminent authorities deny the right ished the country an example of the Democratic ideal of divorcing under the law to remove them at alL But however that may be, the office-holding and politics. President Cleveland might as well make .removal of a judge within his _term to find place to reward partisan Dennis Kearney his Secretary of the Treasury and thereafter avow a be­ .service is not the act of a man to be trnsted anywhere as a leader in lief in public credit or honest money as expect to be further counted as a the cause of civil-service reform. · The root of the .matter is not and civil~service reformer with Mr. Higgins as his appointment clerk. never will be in him. The men who applaud him in so doing, if they There is no executive officer whose duty is so absolutely non-political profess to be civil-service reformers, make of this cause 'a pretext, a as the fourth-class postmaster. There is none who can be made so cloak, a veil, and can not be depended upon for either earnestness or efficient a party servant. The crucial test of the President's belief in constancy in its support. The judge who· represents in those plastic the reform doctrine is the dealing by his administration with the fourth­ and forming eommunities the majesty of the law should be removed . class postmas~r. He is not ignorant either of the profession or the if any man on earth should be removed from the hopes, the fears, and practice of the Postmaster-General; the response of that officer to the the excitements of the partisan. He is the last man to be bidding and inquiry of the Senate has long since met his eye. He knows that under bowing for executive favors. ·. Of the twenty-nine Territorial judges, · the law the term of every postmaster in the country would expire dur­ the President in fifteen months has already put sixteen Democrats in . ing his administration. He knows too that the officer selected and kept office. Nine Republicans have been removed solely on account of their in office by him to perform that very duty under his own constitutional political opinions that he might appoint Democrats in their places. Of supervision in his first twelve months removed 8, 635 of these officers in some, I believe all, of the other seven he has demanded the resignation. order to reward partisan service in the past, and that there may be ready This he has done himself: It is his own act. The responsibility is for the future this vast force drilled and disciplined for the needs of the upon the shoulders of no subordinate. This is the worst and extremest Democratic party. case possible under our laws of the use of patronage in the service of party. There has been, Mr. President, it is true, some little moderation in re­ The President of the United States proclaimed that political office lieving the hunger of the starving Detnocracy, as the wise physician puts shall not be the reward of party service, and that officers whose duties the rescued arctic sailor on sfender allowance despite his indignation and have no rela.tion to political opinion shall remain undisturbed. That was eagerness. So he saves his life twice from lingering death by starvation the text. He then demanded the resignation of Frederick Douglass and sudden death by repletion. The doctor at the White House un­ from the office of recorder of deeds that he might have a place with derstands the constitution of the patient. If he miscalculates anything which he could reward a zealoUB, acJive, Democratic politician for it io;: the intelligence of the country. The determination of the Amer­ political service. That was the application. This is the President's ican people to have a non-partisan civil service, which has compelled .own direct act. No evil counselor deceived him. No party clamor the reluctant promises of both political parties, is _not to be put off by :overpowered him, no scape-goat bears the blame. The President who this transparent attempt to serve God and the Democratic party at the did that will in my judgment never rescue the civil service from the same time. The President who declared within two yearS that he was evil spirit of party. chosen ''to represent the plans, purposes, and policy of the D~m.ocratic 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 6315 party" now says at the beginning of his reign, like the young King for relief and receives relief by a special n.ct, which commences, of Jleury: course, with the passage of the act, the fact that Congress has taken Presume not, tha t I am the thing I was, jurisdiction he ¥olds to bave ousted his claim and to deprive the ap­ For Heaven doth know, so shall the world perceive, plicant of the privilege of prosecuting further his application in the That I have turned away my former self; So will I those that kept me company. Pension Office for the arrears, even though he might be able to estab­ The people listen with an amused smile. Meantime the old Demo­ lish the origin of disability back in the service; and the veto of the cratic sachems stand by like the shrewd Westmoreland. Each says to President is based on that idea. himself as he looks on approving: l!fr. COCKRELL. I understand that the Pension Committee had for many years past adopted a rule that they would not consider in­ I like this fair proceeding of the king's; He hath int-ent, his wonted followers dividual pension cases which had not been acted upon in the d~part­ Shall all be very well provided for; ment where the department had jurisdiction of the class to which But all' are banished till their conversation Appear more wise and modest to the world. they belonged. Mr. BLAIR. However that may be, and it is not so­ MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE. M:r. COCKRELL. Has not that been the rule? A message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. T. 0. TOWLES, Mr. BLAIR. However that may be, it has nothing to do with legal its Chief Clerk, announced that the House had passed a joint resolu­ rights of the applicant under the general law in hls application pend... tion (H. Res. 196) to provide temporarily for the expenditures of the ing before the Commissioner, and never until the present Commissioner Government; in which it reques~ed the concurrence of the Senate. came into power has any such rule been set up against the applicant. NEWC011IB PARKER-VETO MESSAGE. The general rule of the Committee on Pensions has been that until The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. BLACKBURN in the chair) laid l:e­ there had been an honest and a reasonable effort to obtain a decision by fore the Senate the following message from the President of the United the Commissioner of Pensions it wou1d not entertain an application for States; which was I'ead: special relief, and if there has been no unreasonable delay the applicant should be held to prosecute his claim there. To the Senate: if I hereby return without approval Senate bill No. 1077, entitled "An act grant­ Under the ruling to which I have referred, the only remedy re­ ing a pension to Newcomb Parker." ceived is by special act, the applicant, however just his claim, will be This claimant filed an application for a pension in the year 1880. deprived of his arrears, because by a rule of Congress all special acts take Before the passage of the bill herewith returned the Commissioner of Pen­ sions, in ignorance-of the action of Congress, allowed his claim under the gen­ effect upon their passage, and we have got in a way that we will not eral law. as a rule grant arrears, no matter how justly they may be due. So this As this decision of the Pension Bureau entitles the beneficiary named to veto of the President is based upon a pernicious, an unjust, and a false draw a pension from the date of filing his application, which under the provis­ ions of the special bill in his favor would only accrue from the time of 1ts pas­ practice, recently introduced by the ruling of the Commissioner of sage, I am unwilling that one found worthy to be placed upon the pension-rolls Pensions. by the bureau to which he properly applied should be an actual loser by rea­ I have that to say in regard to the veto, and further on the point, son of a special interposition of Congress in his behalf. that I have designed to prepare a bill compelling the Commissioner of GROVER CLEVELAND. EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 29,1886. Pensions to entertain these pending applications, although Congress to emer~ JOHNS. KIRKPATRICK-VETO MESSAGE. may have felt it necessary to step in and relieve the immediate gencies and the future of the applicant by special legislation. It seems The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following unnatural that it should be necessary to do this, and no previous prac­ message from the President of the United States; which was read: tice of the C'TOvernment has made it necessary. 7b the Senate: In regard to the other veto, I was unable to catch the sense of it by I hereby return Senate bill No. 1977, entitled "An act granting a pension to JohnS. Kirkpatrick." reason of the confusion in the Chamber. I move that both messages be This claimant appears to have enlisted December 10,1861, and to have been dis­ printed and referred to the Committee on Pensions. charged December 20,1864. He is borne upon the rolls of his company as pres­ The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection such will be the ent up to June, 1862, in July and August, 1862, as on detached service as hospital attendant, and so reported February 28,1863. In l\1arch and April, 1863, he lS re­ order. ported as present, and in May and June, 1863, as on detached service. There is DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR APPROPRIATION BILL. nowhere in his service any record of disability. He filed his application for a pension in 1880, in which he alleged t.hat from :Mr. ALLISON submitted the following report: hardship and exposure on a long march in New Mexico in the month of Decem­ 'I'he committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of tbe two Houses on ber, 1862, he contracted varicose veins in his legs. the amendments of the Senate to the billtH. R. 6392) "making appropriations for As I understand the record given above, thisclaimantwas on detached service the diplomatic and consular service of the Government for the fiscal year end· from July,1862, to February, 1863. ing June 30, 1887, and for other purposes," having met, after full and free confer­ It will be observed that his claim is that he contracted his disability within that ence have agreed to recommend and do recommend to their respective Houses time and in December, 1862. He appears also to have served for two years o.fter as follows: the date of his alleged injury, and that he did not file his application for pension That the Senate recede from its amendments numbered 3 and 4. till about sixteen years afterward. That the House recede from its disagreement to the amendments of the Senate His claim is still pending undetermined in the Pension Bureau, and if there is numbered 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, ll, and 12, and agree to the same. merit in it there is no doubt that he will be able to make it apparent. That the House recede from its disagreement to the amendment of the Senate GROVER CLEVELA.J\'D. numbered 7, and agree to the same w ith an amendment as follows: Restore the EXECUTIVE MANSION, June 29, 1886. matter stricken out by said amendment; and the Senate agree to the same. W. H. ALLISON, l'!1r. BLAIR. The first of those messages is written under a misap­ EUGENE HALE, prehension of the law and of the fad. It seems that while the appli­ JAMES B. BECK, cation was pending in the Pension Office, worn out with delay the ap­ Managers on the part of the Senate. PERRY BELMONT, plicant came to Congress in the hope of getting something here since WM.R. COX, he was failing in the Pension Office. W. W.RICE, That has been a very common practice hitherto, and always was until Managers on th6 part oj the Hou.se. the present Commissioner made a ruling which I believe to be uncon­ M:r. EDMUNDS. I should like to ask the chairman of the Commit­ stitutional and entirely without precedent and cruel in its nature, that tee on Appropriations to expla.i.n one or two items about restoring where a special act is granted the applicant shall under no circumstances some matter. be permitted to prosecute his arrears in the Pension Office under his Mr. ALLISON. Amendment No. 7 relates to the special fund to. be former application. Until that was the case it was not unusual for bills expended under the authority of the President. When acting as in for special relief to be passed by Congress, and subsequently the Pen­ Committee of the Whole we struck that out. It was actually restored sion Office would continue its tardy investigation for the arrears to be in the Senate, but in making up the bill in some way it was sent to granted under the general law. the House as stricken out; and to save the record we simply restore it The President has written this message to us and vetoed this bill now in the conference report. under the apprehension that this ruling, which is alleged to be the ru1- :Mr. ED.M:UNDS. It was sent to the House as an amendment of the ing at least of the Commissioner of Pensions, is founded either in sense Senate striking out the clause? or in law or in justice. If that ruling is to stand the message is a hu­ Mr. ALLISON. Yes, sir. mane message, but the ruling itself ought to be overruled. :Mr. EDMUNDS. Then why did yon not provide simply that the In regard to the other case-- Senate recede from that amendment instead of saying that you restore Mr. COCKRELL. Before the Senator leaves that case, let me ask the matter stricken out? when was the ruling first established? _ Mr. ALLISON. We provide that the House recede fronr its disa­ Mr. BLAIR. I understand by the present Commissioner. It cer­ greement to our amendment. We added an additional appropriation. tainly w:as not in existence until the present session. I never heard of The House recedes from its amendment and agrees to our amendment it before. with an amendment, restoring the original House text with the Senate Mr. COCKRELL. I did not understand exactly what the Senator amendment. stated the ruling to be. Mr. EDMUNDS. So that the result is that how much money is ap­ Mr. BLAIR. I understand that the Commissioner has ruled (and propriated? the message seems to indicate that the President understands that to Mr. ALLISON. The result is that there are $15,000 appropriated . be the rule now) that where an application is pending before him under under the provision as it came from tbe House and we added $50,000. the general law, and the applicant for any reason applies to Congress 1\Ir. EDMUNDS. That is agreed to? 6316 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30,

1rfr. .ALLISON. That is all agreed to. Mr. ALLISON. I suggest a recess from 6 o'clock until 8 in the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on concurring in the evening. conference report. Ur. HARRISON. Say from halfpast 5. The report was concurred in. Mr. PLATT. Make it half past 5. Ur. .ALLISON. Very well; from half past 5 to 8 o'clock. MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Iowa. asks that the A message from the Honse of Representatives, by Mr. T. 0.·ToWLES, Senate consent to take a recess from half past 5 to 8 o'clock this even­ its Chief Clerk, announced that the Honse had passed the bill (H. R. ing, in order to proceed with the considemtionof the appropriation bill. 8970) for the relief of the trustees of the J ndson Female College; in :Mr. INGALLS. If the bill should be passed before that time I sup- which it requested the concurrence of the Senate. pose an evening session would not be necessary. ENROLLED BILLS SIGNED. Mr. .ALLISON. I mean if the bill is not completed. If we find that we can complete the bill by half past 6 it would be better, of course, The message also announced that the Speaker of the Honse had to go on with it. signed the following enrolled bills; and they were thereupon signed by Mr. INGALLS. I suggest that the bill had better be proceeded the President pro tempore : with leavinc:r the matter of the recess to be considered later in the day. A bill (S. 2732) authorizing the printing of the eulogies delivered in 1fr. ALLISON. I understand the effect of that suggestion. I shall Congress upon the late John F. Miller; not press my request, however, at this moment. A bill (H. R. 5862) providing for the establishment of certain light­ The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Secretary will proceed with the houses and fog-signals, and for other purposes; reading of the bill. · A bill (H. R. 6395) making appropriations for the support of the The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the Army for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887, and for other purposes; Committee on Appropriations was, in the appropriations for the "De­ and partment of State," after the word "each," at the end of line 478, to A bill (H. R. 7481) making an appropriaf.ion for the Department of insert: Agriculture for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1887. One telegraph operator, at $1,200. TEMPORARY .APPROPRIATIONS. The amendment was agreed to. Mr. .ALLISON. I ask the Chair to lay before the Senate the joint The next amendment was, in line 482, to it,lCrease the total amount of resolution which came from the House of Representatives a few mo­ the appropriation for compensation of the Secretary of State, the As­ ments a~o extending the appropriations. sistant Secretary of State, and clerks and employes in the office of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The joint resolution will be laid be­ Secretary, from $114,150 to $116,950. fore the Senate and read at length. The amendment was agreed to. The joint resolution (H. Res. 196) to provide temporarily for the ex­ The next amendmentwas, in the appropriations for "contingent ex­ penditures of the Government was read the first time at length, as fol­ penses '' of the Department of State, in line 497, after the word ''same,'' lows: to strike out "one thousand" and insert "six hundred;" and in line Resol1redby the Senate and House of Repre~entaUves, &c., That all appropriations for 499, after the word "thou&'tnd," to insert "four hundred;" so as to the necessary operations o! the Government under existing laws which shall make the clause read: remain unprovided for on the 30th day of June,l886, be, and they are hereby, For contingent expenses, namely: For care and subsistence of horses and re­ continued and m.a.de available for a period of ten days from and after that date, pairs of wagons, carriage, aod harness, $1,200; for rent of stable and wagon­ unless the regular appropriations therefor provided for in bills now pending in shed ~0; for care of clock, telegraphic and electric app.aratus, and repairs Congress, shall have been previously made for the service of the fiscal yea r end­ to same, $600 ; and for m iscellaneous not included in the foregoing, ing June 30,1887; and in case the appropriations, or any of them, hereby con­ th~ i~s $2,400; in all, ~.800. tinued, are or is insufficient to carry on the said necessary operations, a sufficient amount is hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not other­ The amendment was agreed to. wise appropriated, to carry on the same: Provided, '.rhat no greater amount The next amendment was, after line 503, to insert: shall be expended therefor than will be in the same proportion to the appropria­ tions of the fiscal year 1886, as ten days' time bears to the whole of said fiscal For editing and distributing the Statutes at Large of the Forty-ninth Congress, year: ProvidedJu1·ther, That authority is also grant.ed for continuing during the $1,000. same period the necessary work required for public printing and binding, and for all other miscellaneous objects embodied in the sundry civil and naval ap­ The amendment was agreed to. propriation acts, in advance of appropriations to be hereafter made for said ob­ The next amendment was, under the head of "Treasury Depart­ jects: .And provided further, All sums expended under this act shall be charged ment," in the appropriations for office of chief clerk and superintend­ to and be deducted from the appropriations for like service for the fiscal year ending June 30,1887. ent, in line 520, after the word "dollars," to strike out: An inspector of electric-light plants, gas, and fixtures for all public buildings Mr. EDMUNDS. I object to the second reading of the joint resolu­ under control of the Treasury Department, 31,900. tion for reasons which I will state to-morrow when it comes np on its The amendment was agreed to. second reading. The next amendment was, in line 527, before the word "assistant," The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is made to the second read­ to strike out "three" and insert "two;" so as to read: ing of the joint resolution. Two assistant messengers. Mr. ALLISON. Then I presume it can not be read? The PRESIDING OFFICER. It can not be read the second time The amendment was agreed to. to-day under the rule. The next amendment was, in lin c 536, after the word '' dollarsJ '' to Mr. EDMUNDS. To-morrow morning we shall have a little con­ strike out: sideration of that subject. One gardener, $84.0. The amendment was agreed to. THE STATE OF THE CONGO. The next amendment was, in line 545, before the word ''charwomen,'' The PRESIDENT pro tempore laid before the Senate the following to strike out "eighty" and insert "seventy-five;" so as to read: message from the President of the United States; which was read, re­ Seventy-five charwomen, at $240 each. ferred to the Committee on Appropriations, and ordered to be priated: The amendment was agreed to. To the Senate: The next amendment was in line 552 to reduce the total amount of In response to the resolution of the Senate of the 28th of April last I transmit herewith a report of the Secretary of State in relation to the affairs of the Inde­ the appropriation for office of chief clerk and superintendent of the pendent State of the Congo. Treasury building from $154,706.50 to $150,046.50. GROVER CLEVELAND. The amendment was agreed to. EXECUTIVE li!A.NSION, Washington, June 30, 1886. The next amendment was in the appropriations for ''division of capt­ LEGISLATIVE, ETC. 1 .APPROPRIATION BILL. ured property, claims, and lands" in the Treasury Department, in :M:r. ALLISON. I move that the Senate proceed to the consideration line 633, after the words "class four" to insert ''one clerk of class of the legislative, executive, and judicial appropriation bill. three;" and after the word "all," at the end of line 635, to strike out The motion was agreed to; and the Senate, as in Committee of the ''nine thousand two ' ' and insert ''ten thousand eight;'' so as to make Whole, resumed the consideration of the bill (H. R. 8974) making ap­ the clause read: · Division of captured property, claims, and lands: For chief of division, $2,500; propriations for the legislative, executive, and judicial expenses of the one clerk of class 4; one clerk of class 3; one clerk of class 2; two clerks at Government for the fiscal year ending J nne 30, 1887, and for other pur­ $1,000 each; one clerk, at $900; and one laborer; in all, $10,800. poses. The amendment was agreed to. Mr. .ALLISON. Before proceeding with the bill I should be glad to The next amendment was in the appropriation for the "offices of have some understanding with the Senate respecting the adjournment disbursing clerks " of the Treasury Department, in line 645, after the to-day. It seems to me that if it is agreeable to the Senate we had words '' class three,'' to insert '' one clerk of class one,'' and in line better take a recess, say at 6 o'clock until 8, and endeavor to go on with 646, after the word '' all,'' to strike out '' nine thousand four '' and in­ the bill to-night. sert "ten thousand six;" so as to make the clause read: Mr. INGALLS. If we sit in the evening we had better take the re­ Offices of disbursing clerks: For two disbursing clerks, at $2,500 each; one cess at 5 instead of 6 o'clock. clerk of class 4; one clerk of class 3; one clerk ·of class 1; and one clerk, Sl,~l The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. BLACKBURN in the chair). For in all, Sl0,600. what length of time does the Senator from Iowa suggest a recess? The amendment was agreed to. 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 6317 ·

The next amendment was in the appropriations for office of "First pointed, or having' been appointed in vacation were to be confirmed if Comptroller of the Treasury," in line 679, after the words ''class the Senat-e thought them proper persons-that could always be done four," to strike out "eleven" and insert "thirteen;" and after the from the First Comptroller's office within a day or two, and with a de· word "all," at the end of line 683, to strike out "eighty-four thou­ tailed statement of just how their accounts stood, what had been al­ sand two" and insert ''eighty-seven thousand four;" so as to make lowed and what had been disallowed; so that we could inform the the clause read: Senate in reporting upon such a case precisely how that particular gen­ First Comptroller of f.he Treasury: For First Comptroller of the Treasury, tleman had been administering his office. $5,000; deputy comptroller, $2,700; four chiefs of division, at $2,100 each; five I am not violating any secrecy, because all that I am speaking ()f is clerks of class 4; thirteen clerks of class 3; eleven clerks of class 2; eight clerks of class 1; three clerks, at $1,000 each, and eleven clerks at$900 each; one skilled public information that anybody could get (unless the President thinks laborer, at $840; one messenger; and three laborers; in all, $87 ,4.60. it is a private affair) by going to the public offices at the Treasury in trying to ascertain how the accounts of the present designated marshals Mr. EDMUNDS. Before we pass o~ that I should like the chair­ of the United States in twenty or thirty districts, whatever the num­ man of the committee to explain how it happens under this econom­ ber may be, who have been in office, some of them more than a year, ical and diminishing and reform administration that it is necessary to and all of them more than a great many months; but we have been so increase the clerks of class 3 from eleven to thirteen in the First Comp­ troller's office. far unable to ascertain at all what has become of the public money that has been put into the hands of these officers; and in one or two in­ Mr. ALLISON. The First Comptroller and the Secretary of the stances that I remember we have been informed by the First Comp­ Treasury sent to the committee a communication on that subject, sta.t­ troller-and I am not blaming him, I am not saying anything about ing that it was absolutely necessary in order to carry on the current him at all in any critical sense, but I say there is something wrong­ business of this office that an increase of clerks should be had. that vouchers have been sent in covering the period of more than a year Mr. INGALLS. Let us have that paper read. which have not yet been examined. Mr. EDMUNDS. How had they got on before? I That is a very strange state of things, and it affects ·the Treasury as Mr. ALLISON. do not know. I suppose they must have worked well as the good administration of the laws; and so I do not wonder extra hours. I will send to the desk a copy of the letter addressed by that the First Comptroller says that he wants more force, although the First Comptroller of the Treasury, and in another place the Secre­ under his predecessors' administrations the Senate of the United States tary of the Treasury makes a similar request. The letter of the First was able to. know within forty-eight hours after it had asked for the in­ Comptroller will, however, explain the matter fully. formation through a committee precisely how all these gentlemen stood The Chief Clerk read as follows: with respect to their disbursements of the public money. A good many TREASURY DEPARTMENT, FJ:RST CoMPTROLLER'S OFFICE, Washington, D. C., June 17,1886. of my friends on the other side know how we have struggled and labored in in­ DEAR SIR: I see by the morning paper that the legislative, executive, and j u­ to find out, without any very great success, until at last some dicial appropriation bill has passed the House. stances we have been able to work it and run it down. The provisions of the bill, asrespecta my bureau, do not give me the force that Now, I think that it is rather a strange commentary upon the way is requisite to carry on efficiently the duties of this office. When I took charge of the office the business was very considerably behind. things go in this world that the first thing these new charmers who Judge Lawrence, in his last report, had stated that the land division was more keep serpents that charm never so wisely come to us and say we are not than a year behind, and attributed it to want of clerical force. I found that able to get on with the force that our predecessors had and did get on there were six details of clerks -from other bureaus at\the time. I soon saw that two, who were on work that was not much needea, could be spared, and with much more readily and rapidly. It is true, and it is due to Mr. so recommended, when they were transferred to other bureaus, leaving me Durham: for whom I have the greatest personal respect as an upright, with four details. painstaking, and energetic man, to state that he says here are a lot of I have watched the workings of the office very closely, and have to say that while we have gained in some directions, yet the work bas increased, and in old bonds that are behind, &c. But I have the impression-! do not the absence of these details could not be properly performed. lnsk the House speak by the book-that the Solicitor's office of the Treasury is the committee to give me these four details, and that some of them be of a hilo!:her one, the accounts being settled and declared and showing that some grade, because this office is the final accounting office and needs clerks of supe­ rior qualifications. By the bill, as it has passed the House, I am only given one office-holder, some man intrusted with the public money, is behind­ additiOnal clerk at $1,400, and one copyist at $840. hand, that is to direct snits to be brought by the district attorneys Now,I beg to state that at the commencement of the next fiscal year if the de­ upon the bonds. And thereforethedifficnltyshould beintheSolicitor's tails are taken away, as it is understood it is the intention of the Secretary, it will be impossible to keep up with the current work. Besides, there are nearly office and not in the office of the Comptroller, unless you come back to oue hundred cases that ought to be prepared for suit, out of which I think a the mere question of accounts; and on the question of accounts we have considerable amount could be realized, which can not be done with the present found hitherto that the accounts of the disbursing officers that came to force. We have occasionally topped other business and brought suit upon some of these old bonds, some of them running back for fifteen years, and have one committee of the Senate-of course only a small part of them­ ~llected several thousand dollars. IIow much can be collected on the other were always in such a condition that we could know any day just how old bonds I do not know, but I believe very much more than would pay for five they stood. times the labor that is required. You and the Senate committee are apprised that I have endeavored to dis­ It may be that this increase of force is necessary. It is necessary if charge my whole duty, and the clerks have worked well and are still working old and faithful o.dicers have -been discharged who knew what they well. I would not, as you know, ask for these additional clerks if I did not were about, and new men have been brought in who do not understand need them, and !respectfully ask for two more clerks, in addition to what the Honse has given me, of class 3, for the rea-son, ns I have said above, that I need the business; and you must have more men to do imperfectly the work higher grade clerks. Three or four of the best clerks I bad have been taken from that fewer men did perfectly before, and I suspect that is the real diffi­ me, because they could obtain greater pay in other bureaus, by which my office has culty about it. been.much crippled in its operations. You may say that I ought not to have permitted them to go, but it seemed hard not to permit the men to go where Mr. INGALLS. Mr. President, in this communication from the First they could obtain more pay. Others have been put in their places, but it really Comptroller, upon which the Committee on Appropriations appear to seems necessary, in order that I may retain my clerks, that these additional have acted, there are some statements which seem to me to require fur­ clerks of class 3 be given me. There are some other things that I would be glad to state before the committee ther explanation. in person, if permitted to do so, and if the subcommittee having this bill in charge J ndge Durham does not state that he can not get along with the force would hear me for five or ten minutes, to explain more minutely this matter, I in his office unless the details that are now there are retained. He says should be very glad to have the opportunity of so doin~. I write this because I do not know who may be on that subcommittee, and if1t is proper you can hand that he understands that it is the purpose of the Secretary at the be­ it to 1\Ir. ALLisoN, who is the chairman of the general committee. I ask that you ginning of the next fiscal year to take away certain details from him; will in justice to me and to the public service have this matter laid before the that when he entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office he committ-ee; but I repeat again that I would not ask for this if I did not regard it as absolutely necessary in order to carry on the business of this bureau found there were these details of clerks from other bureaus at the time. promptly and efficiently. I should see you in person about this matter, but will It appears that they have been continued in the service of the office be out of the city for two or three days; and then, I suppose, you would rather of the First Comptroller up to this time, four of them have been re­ have it stated fully in writing. Yours, tained, and that the only reason why he requires this additional cler­ :M:. J. DURHAM, Compt1·oUer. ical force is because he apprehends at the beginning of the next fiscal Hon. JAMES B. BECK, year the Secretary of the Treasury proposes to transfer those details to United Stales Senate. some other bureau. He adds: Mr. ED MUNDS. This pre.c;ents a rather extraordinary state of things, Three or four of the best clerks I had have been taken from me because they Mr. President-no, not extraordinary in this present Congress. We could obtain great-er pay in. other bureaus, by which my office has been much find the First Comptroller of the Treasury appealing to a Republican crippled in its operations. You may say that I ought not to have permitted them to go, but it seemed hard not to permit the men to go where they could Senate (which I suppose is about asgoodaSenateascan behadatpres­ obtain more pay. ent) to help him out of the difficulties that he has experienced, as all his predecessors did, in the House of Representatives of another char­ This seems to be a very mysterious and inexplicable statement of th~ acter. His predecessors were forced by law to get on with the public condition of business in that office. They have been conducting the business with the force that Congress chose to give them, and they did business, as he states, with an inefficient clerical force from the fact it. I am bound to say that in one part of the public service they did that there has been a detail from some other bureau, where there must it much more readily and better than the present admiri.istration does, have been a superfluous force, of six men, subsequently reduced to four, for in former administrations when some of the committees of the Sen­ so that be bas been enabled by that clerical force to keep up the busi­ ate desired to know what was the state of the accounts of marshals of ness of his office; and he now anticipates that those men, that myste­ the United States to whom great sums of public money are sent in va­ rious contingent that appears to be a mobilized force in the Secretary's rious places as they must be, when those marshals were to be reap- office which can be transferred hither and thither like the force nnder

' 6318 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-'SEWATE. JUNE 30,

the centurion in the Scriptures to one of whom he said '' Go,'' and he Mr. TELLER. · There were vacancies, of course, or they could not ·goeth, and to another ''Come,'' and he cometh, and ''do this,'' a.nd he have been transferred. That left just as many clerks in the office and doethit, will be withdrawn. I do not n.nders-tand that. !never knew there might have been a detail from some other place after that special before that there was a mobilized force in the Secretary's omce that detail was withdrawn. could be detached from one place and attached to another, with a tlu~ Mr. INGALLS. As the Senator has had experience, allow me to ask tua.ting salary paid now on one roll and now on another; and I hope, him one question there. How can there be a detail from one bureau the House of Representatives having examined this matter fully, before to another unless there is a superfluity of force in the bureau from we are required to listen to the voice of this charmer, charm he never which they are detailed or unless yon leave that force crippled? so wisely, that we shall be advised how it is that Mr. Durham per­ Mr. TELLER. I will just say a word. mitted four of his bes.t clerks to be taken from him because they could Mr. BUTLER. Before the Senator ftom Colorado proceeds I should obtain greater pay in other bureaus, without the concurrence of Con­ like to ask him a question for information, because I know no more gress, without so far as we know the authority or sanction of the law. about it than the Senator from Kansas; but is it not entirely com­ Why-did. not Mr~ Durham keep his clerks if he had them? He says petent for the head of an Executive Department to transfer clerks from he permitted them to be taken from him because they could obtain bet­ one bureau to another in cases of emergency? I understand that to ter pay in other bureaus, by reason of which his o.flice bas been much be what was done in this case. It was abundantly competent for the crippled in its operations, and he adds what seems avery natural com­ Secretary of the Treasury or the Secretary of the Interior to transfer ment: twenty clerks from one bureau to another where theycan be spared in You may say that I ought not to have permitted them to go- one to meet an emergency in another? Is not that true? Mr. TELLER. That is true. ,Very true. "Thou reasonest welL" That seems natural. 1\Ir. ALLISON. If the Senator from Colorado will excuse me a mo­ You may say that I ought not to have permitted them to go, but it seemed ment, I think the di.fliculty in this particular matter of the Treasury hard not to permit ~e Inen to go where they could obtain more pay. lies in the fact that the Secretary of the Trea81iry called upon the sev­ Mr. BUTLER. Perhaps I may be able to throw a little light on that eral heads of bureaus to ascertain ho_w many clerks they could dispense subject, because there is a case inpointthatcameundermyownknowl­ w1th, if any, and the heads of bureaus having clerks detailed to other edge. There was a young man in the bureau of the First Comptroller bureaus of course reported that fact to the Secretary of the Treasury, from my State. as had been done often, which was a disclosure that these clerks were Mr. EDI\IUNDS. Only one? not needed in the particular bureaus on whose rolls they were borne. Mr. BUTLER. I do not know. '],'here may be forty such for aught Now, I suppose the fact to be in the case of the First Comptroller that I know, but for the purpose I am going to state there was one, a very these detailed clerks were attached to some bureau where the head of competent and as I understand a very accomplished man, having certain it. stated to the Secretary that he did not need the clerks, and they .have duties to perform. The head of another bureau or the chief of a di­ been reduced accordingly. vision, I am not certain which, having a vacancy, applied for this young Mr. EDMUNDS. That is to say, they have been dismissed, and you man. He was receiving in the First Comptroller's Office $1,200 a year, are to make a new appointment for the place to which they were de­ and by this transfer to the other division he would receive $1,600 a tailed. year. Mr. ALLISON. That is a mild and clearer way of stating it. So Mr. EDMUNDS. How could that be? they have dispensed with. these clerks,' and nowit is necessarythatthe Mr. BUTLER. I do not kn-ow how. other bureaus where the work is· essential to be done must have the Mr. INGALLS. Permit me to ask one question right there. If force that was formerly assigned to other duties. · this South Carolina gentleman was transferred from the First Comp­ Mr. EDMUNDS. And where they were before, only new men are troller's Office, was there not a vacancy to be filled under the civil-serv­ put in. ice rules? - Mr. TELLER. It does not follow because there is a detail from one· ·Mr. BUTLER. ·I .was just going io state, if the Senator would give bureau to another that the bureau from which the detail is taken is me a little time, that this young man really was not transferred, but as overcrowded. I say the chief of a division applied for him, and by the transfer he would Mr. BUTLER. Not at all. receive $1,600. In Mr. I)nrham's office he was receiving $1,200. Of Mr. TELLER. If there is an emergency in one office, the bead of cours-e, I take it that when that transfer took place there would be a the Department will transfer for the time being from one bureau to a vacancy in the First Comptroller's Oflice. The Comptroller objected crowded bureau. for special work. That is done always, and always has to the other divicdon getting this man because he had trained him and been I su ppo.se. For instance take the Land Office. If Congress should he was a very efficient clerk, and the Comptroller did not want him ask, as they do dunng the winter, for a great number of copies of some togo. documents from that office, there might not be copyists enough in the I went in person, I ha-ve no hesitation in saying, and remonstrated Land Office; it is a common thing then to detail force from the Patent . about it, and said that I thought inasmuch as this young man had Office or the Pension Office for the time being, if it is necessary, to meet proved himself worthy and had an opportunity of getting increased pay, that emergency; otherwise the work will be delayed. When the work the Comptroller ooght to consent to his going to the other division. I is accomplished it is usual to return the detail to its proper office, and take it, of course, there was a vacancy in the twelve-hundred-dollar frequently the bureau from which the detail is made suffers while the place by this change. Of course the man who wou-ld fill the vacancy detail is absent. would not have the experience and capacity of the maq1 who was trans­ So there can be no conclusion drawn because there is a detail from ferred to the other division, and I take it that is what the Comptroller one bureau to another that it is an overcrowded bureau by any means. refers to. They may be entirely short of men, and their work may stand still Mr. INGALLS. I can hardly conceive that. Of course the state­ while what appears to the head of the Department to be a more im­ ment of the Senator from South Carolina is instructive as showing the portant office is proceeding for the time being. processes by whieh business is transacted there; but under his state­ The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on the amendment. ment I should assume. that the transfer or promotion of this gentleman The amendment was agreed to. from South Carolina who was employed there would leave a vacancy in The reading of the bill was resumed and continued to the end of the the office of the First Comptroller. following clause, from line 695 to line 698: Mr. BUTLER. I take it for granted. For the additional force in the Second Comptroller's Office rendered neces­ Mr. INGALLS. • That would necessarily have to be filled by selec­ sary by increase of work relating to pensions, namely: Three clerks of class 4 tion under the civil-service regulations, and it would not be such a and one clerk of class 1; in all, $6,600. diminution of his force as would require .him to come to Congress and Mr. EDMUNDS. I should like to have it explained what this Second say that he needed another clerk. Comptroller's Office has to do with pensions, and how this addibi.onal Mr. BUTLER. I take it not numerically, but in efficiency it might force provided for in lines 695 to 698 becomes necessary. be a very great diminution of his force, because there is one trained Mr. ALLISON. This is not an additional force. man who has been in the office for some time and gives up the place Mr. EDMUNDS. The bill says so. and an untrained clerk comes in, as I understand it. Mr. ALLISON. So it has said for a good many years. When the ltfr. TELLER. If I understand the matter there was a detail from arrears-of-pension act was passed this additional force was placed in some other bureau of the Treasury Department to this bureau, which the Second Comptroller's Office, that office having the :final adjustment is perfectly proper and legitimate. Subsequently there was probably of the accounts of the soldiers respecting theil· terms of enlistm~nt, &c. a. vacancy in the higher grades either in the bureau from which the Mr. EDMUNDS. Do you mean about back pay or about pensions? clerks were detailed or in some other bureau, and it was the desire of Mr. ALLISON. The pension work, which is tinally revised in the the Department to promot-e the clerks t.hen in office to the higher grade, Second Comptroller's O.flice. which I think is the sentiment that actuates nearly ev-ery executive ~Ir. EDMUNDS. That is, it is the revision of the pension disburse- officer, and very properly too. So these men were transferred from one ments? grade, $1,200 we will say, the first class, to the second or third class Mr. ALLISON. Yes, sir. cl.erkships. That is all there is of it. Mr. EDMUNDS. Go ahead. Mr. INGALLS. They could not be transferre

of ''Second Comptroller of the Treasury,'' to strike out the following section 4818, is the foundation of the home and constitutes its fund. elause, from line 699 to line 704, inclusive: So the committee believe that whatever this fund may be, at least so For continuing the adjustment of the accounts of the Soldiers' Home, under far as relates to the accounts prior to 1851, it might very well in some section 4818 of the Revised Statutes, in the office of the Second Comptroller: way be estimated or aggregated without the examination ofthe accounts. For five clerks, at $660 each, to be employed on the Soldiers' Home roll, $3,300. Under the appropriations whi~ are asked for by these officers for the Mr. SEWELL. I should like an explanation from the Senator from examination of these accounts it will require an expenditure of $14,000 Iowa, the chairman of the COI!lmittee, in relation to that amendment, per annum. and also in relation to a similar clause in the appropriations for the Mr. HARRISON. May I ask the Senator aboutwhatpercent. that Second Auditor's Office. would be on the total amount of claims settled during the year, for A few years ago when the affairs of this institution, the Soldiers' that expenditure is practically the interest the Government pays on Home, were investigated by a committee of the Senate it was found that accotmt. that that home, supported primarily by a. tax of so much a month on Mr. ALLISON. I a.ni not able to state that in exact words, although the soldiers of the regnL.'l.r Army, enforced by the proceeds of the aales the Auditor stated to U!'l that these accounts had now reached the year of unclaimed effects of deceased soldiers and deserters, a large part of 1845, and that during the last year $211,000 had been paid into the the btter clas..c; having accrued during the war, was entitled to a mill­ home, and they had a fund of $10,000. ion or a million and a half of dollars, which had not yet been adjusted Mr. EDMUNDS. Not collected from ariy private person, but merely by reason of the lack of clerical force in the 'l'reasury Department. I taken out of the Treasury as lapsed funds, and we spent a great many would like to know what has taken place making it necessary that this thousand dollars in order to turn it over from one set of books in the provision should be stricken out, as the home wants n.t an early day Treasury to another set of books in the Treasury. to get the money due it on this account. . Mr. ALLISON. Two hundred and eleven thousand dollars has been Mr. ALLISON. The &mmittee made as thorough an examination settled during the last year by these two forces. of this Soldiers' Home matter as they could in the brief time allotted Mr. HARRISON. And the salary of the clerks working upon it to them. Their attention was especially called to it by a request from was $9,000 or $10,000. . the Second Auditor asking an increase of clerks from seven to twelve, Mr. ALLISON. The appropriation was made in the lump, $10,000, • the House having only provided seven clerks in the Second Auditor's so that this appropriation of $10,000 for the last year may be stated to · Office for the examination and adjustment of these rolls. have yielded $211,000 to the Soldiers' Home. 1\Ir. EDMUNDS. How many were there before Wlder existing law? Mr. EDMUNDS. Out of the Treasury. 1\Ir. ALLISON. Until this year the Soldiers' Home force in the Sec­ Mr. ALLISON. Out of the Treasury. ond Auditor's Office was provided for by a lump appropriation, and Mr. EDMUNDS. We paid $10,000 then for transferring $211,000 under it I believe eleven clerks have been employed. This yeart in­ from one set of books of the Treasury to another. That is very good. stead of appropriating a lump sum to the Second Auditor's Office and Mr. ALLISON. Under the law ~it stands undoubtedly this home the Second Comptroller's Office for this purpose, the bill appropriates is entitled to these forfeitures and fines and penalties and so on; but specifically !'or these clerks, giving them a salary of $660 a year, which it seemed to the committee that it was an unwise expenditure to ex­ is a very small salary for clerks compared with the salaries received by pend this $14,000 per annum in making an exami.n&tion of these ac­ clerks generally in the offices. • counts, and that it would be better in some wayfor some committee of Mr. EDMUNDS. Why iS such a distinction made? Is it because Congress to take up the question and asceTtain by some general system yon are going to get inferior people, or because superior people are to of averages about what these accounts would amount to and if need be t e paid less? set apart the fund for the benefit of the home. 1\lr. ALLISON. I do not know precisely why. I suppose the clerks Under the law now, the funds belonging to the Home are deposited at $660 do not come tp1der the civil-service rules, and can be appointed in the Treasury and draw 3 per cent. interest per annum. So it seemed without reference to civil-service examinations; but I do not know to the committee that it would be wiser and better for Congress in some whether that is the reason or not. way to segregate a sum and place it to the credit of this fund to tho Mr. EDMUNDS. That accounts for it. extent that we are required to do by the law, mther than t.o go into a Mr. ALLISON. I only know that the House of Representatives put detailed examination of these individual accounts running back fiity in these clerks at these extremely low rates. The Second Auditor con­ or sixty years. vinced the Committee on Appropriations that if this force was retained Mr. SEWELL. The chairman of the Committee on Appropriations in the Second Comptroller's Office he ought to have a force of twenty­ has probably thought of the mode of doing it, but I should like to sug­ two clerks, because these clerks in the Second Comptroller's Office gest how the emergency arises and the amount of money that is now merely revise the work in the Second Auditor's Office, and it requires due under the law without going into the accounts. At the same time at least, as they say, two or three clerks in the Second Auditor's Office I would suggest also that the accounts are now being audited yearly for one in the Second Comptrolle..r's Office. and have been since the war. The accounts are now kept up yearly. So we inquired further as to the character of these examinations, and T~ committee had a report from General Hunt, now commanding the we found that under the appropriations which have been made hitherto Soldier's Home, stating that- at the suggestion of the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. SEWELL], the We are living beyond our means; that is, beyond our adjusted credits, and the Second Auditor's force and the Second Comptroller's force were em­ excess is eating into capital. ployed in the examination of accounts beginning with the war of 1812 Each soldier of the regular Army is paying 1~t cents a month, amount­ and running down through all the period lrince to the present time. ing to thirty or forty thousand dollars a year. In explanation of the Mr. EDMUNDS. You do not mean the Soldiers' Home accounts. remark of the Senator from Vermont, I might say that this orne is not Mr. ALLISON. Yes. These clerks have been employed upon ac­ entirely the property of the.Government. It is the home of the soldier. counts prior to the establishment of the home itself, and I understand He has paid for it dUiing all his term of service, and in that sense the one branch of the examination has now reached the year 1845, but that veterans are entitled to great consideration. . The property is theirs, is only one branch of the accounts; and under that they have found and it is used very brgely by the citizens of the District of Columbia due to the Soldiers' Home $211,000. The committee made some ex­ as a pleasure park at the expense to a great extent of the private soldier amination of the law of 1851, and under it became convinced that as from his monthly pay. · to one branch at least they had the right to go back of the year 1851. This is the language of the commandant: 1\lr. EDMUNDS. What for? If required, the home can w ell afford to pay for such clerical force as msy be M1·. ALLISON. The law of 1851 provides that all forfeitru·es on ac­ needful to present such a result; at any rate, for so much more force as is need­ count of desertion and all moneys belonging to the estates of deceased ful beyond what Congress is willing to give. soldiers which are or may be unclaimed for the period of three years I should be perfectly satisfied if we could arrive at a gross sum that subsequent to the death of such soldier shall go to the home. might be credited to the home, upon which under the present law it Mr. EDMUNDS. They are simply hunting then for the money to " ·ould get an interest of 3 per cent., so as to avoid this expense. The go into the funds of the home. committee wu.nt to avoid. having a large annual outlay for the mere Mr. ALLISON. To go into the Soldiers' Home fund. So far as transfer of accounts from one book to another. I simply desire to ask desertions are concerned, I believe they have brought down the ac­ the chairman of the committee if the committee h as thought how that counts to 1845. They have not yet examined from 1812 to 1845 the might be arrivctl at? accounts of deceased soldiers who left unclaimed effects. I should then be glad, in connection with my former service n.s chair­ The Second Auditor in his report states that this force of clerks on man of the subcommittee t hat investigated the home- a matter that I this work will be required indefinitely; in other words, he led the com­ t..'tke great interest in-to have such legislation as would carry out that mittee to believe and means Congress to understand that these exam­ view. inations will be required for many years to come. M:r. ALLISON. ·I will say to t he Senator that on inquiry of the Mr. EDMUNDS. It is money in the Treasury of the United States governor of the home we found that the amount of current fines, pen­ which is to be turned over to another public object; and so we are alties, and forfeitures paid into t he home-because these penalties and merely hunting around to find out how we can transfer it from one forfeitures still run on and they arc turned into the home-vary greatly ·part of the public pocket to another institution. with difterent years. For instance, one year they have amounted to as Mr. ALLISON. That is true, but that is the law. The law of 1851 high as $65,000, and another year $ 35,000, with practically the same carried into the Revised Statutes, quoted in this communication, being number of men. 6320 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30,

. It seems to me-though of cour8e I have not given attention to it, Committee on Appropriations was, in the appropriations for the office nor has the Committee on Appropriations-that an average could be of ''Second Auditor,'' after the word ''messengers,'' at the end of line reached by-taking, say, ten years of time and the number of soldiers 729, to strike ont "eighteen copyists, at $840 each;" and in line 731, in the service, and findingwhattheincomeforten years would be, then after the words "two hundred and," to strike out "sixty-two thou­ average it according to the number o.f soldiers. · sand four hundred. and fifty'' and insert '• forty-seven thousand three The Committee on Appropriations had no intention of prippling in hundred and thirty;" so as to make the clause read: the slightest degree the income of.this home, nor had they any inten­ Second Auditor: For Second Auditor,$3,600; deputy auditor,$2,250; six chiefs tion of ~epriving . the home of whatever sums may be due from the of division, at $2,000 each; eight cleJ:ks of class 4; forty clerks of class 3; addi­ exainination of these accounts as required by law; but it did seem to tional to one clerk of class 3 as disbursing clerk, $?...00; fifty-five clerks of class 2; forty-eight clerks of class 1; eight clerks, at $1,000 each; one messenger; three the committee that. the law itself did not require that we should go assistant messengers; and eight labore.rs; in all, 11247,330. back of the establishment of the home in the year 1851. Now, the home is not impecunious, although I believe the governor The amendment was agreed to. does say that they will be obliged to draw somewhat upon the capital The 'next amendment was, after line 733, to insert: For the purpose of restoring and repairing the worn-out and defaced rolls in of the funds of the home. They have to-day, as I remember-I may the Second Auditor's Office, $21,000. not state the sums exactly-$780,000 invested iri 4 per cent. bonds of The amendment was agreed to. · the Government of the United States, which is certainly a very good investment. Those bonds if sold now would yield to the home a very The next amendment was to strike out the clause from line 737 to large sum 9f money; and if I was one of the directors of the home I line 742, inclusive, as follows: For additional force for continuing the adjustment of the a~countsof the Sol· should propl'lse to sell those bonds and place the money, as the law au­ diers' Home in the office of the Second Auditor, under section 4818, Revised thorizes, in the Treasury of the United States so as to draw 3 per cent. Statutes: Seven clerks at $840 each, and one at S720 er annum, ~,600. interest. · The amendment was agreed to. Mr. INGALLS. That in addition to all their real estate? The next amendment was, in the appropriations for the office of Mr. ALLISON. In addition to all their real estate. "Fourth Auditor," in line 746, before the words "clerksofclassthree" Mr. INGALLS. And no incumbrance on the real estate? • to strike out "twelve" and insert "fourteen;" after the word "each," Mr. ALLISON. No incumbrance on the real estate. They have at the end of line 766, to strike out ''four clerks, at $800 each;" so as· these 4 per cent. bonds, which, in my judgment, ought to be turned to make the clause read: into the Treasury, where by law they will be entitled to draw 3 per cent. Fourth Auditor: For the Fourth Auditor, $3,600; deputy auditor, $2,250; three In addition to that, they have $480,000 in the Treasury of the United chiefs of division, at $2,000 each; two clerks of class 4; fourteen clerks of class 3; States drawing 3 per cent., andabout$100,000 in other invested. funds, eight clerks of class 2; nine clerks of class I ; three clerks, at Sl,OOO each; five I believe chiefly in Missouri State bonds. They have one dollar and a clerks at $900 each; one assistant messenger; and two laborers; in all, $69,890. half per annum from each soldier paid regularly into the treasury of the Mr. ALLISON. I wish to explain the amendment. The Senate home. will notice that on line 764 the number of third-class clerks was re­ Mr. INGALLS. Ea{)h soldier in the entire Army? duced from fourteen to twehe, and in line 767 there were added four Mr. ALLISON. Each soldier in the entire Army. clerks at $800 each, it being the purpose to substitute four clerks at :Mr. CHACE. Does that include officers? $800 each for two clerk& at $1,600 e.:'\Ch. The committee thought that Mr. ALLISON. That does not include officers; it includes. private rather a singular amendment and restored the clerks of class 3 in order soldiers. They have in addition to that the current fines and forfeit­ that the House might have an opportunity to explain why it was that ures and all unclaimed funds that have been unclaimed for three years. this change was made. Of course if the funds owing to deceased soldiers are again sought to be The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The question is on agreeing to the reclaimed by the heirs of the decedP-nt, the home must return them. amendment of the Committee on Appropriations. . So, I do not think in the brief space between now and next Decem­ The amendment was agreed to. ber there will be any hardship to the home; and the desire of the com­ Mr. SAULSBURY. I observe that in the Second Auditor's Office mittee was simply to save this amount of money during the year, which there has been quite a change made, striking out eighteen copyists at it seemed to us was unnecessary in order to examine thE>.se old accounts, $840 each and then reducing the sum appropriated in the aggregate a!ld in. order to compromise and a

1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 6321 with making appropriations differ so widely I am ready to conclude Mr. SAULSBURY. I have no question that the heads of Depart­ that we are acting blindly and do not know what we are about in mak­ ments are acting in good faith. ing these appropriations. Mr. DAWES. I wish to ask the Senator-- Mr. ALLISON. If the Senator from Delaware desires to raise n. com­ Mr. SAULSBURY. I wish to get through with my sentence; I mittee of investigation upon the heads of Depart_n:1ents with reference have no doubt that the heads of Departments make no estimates but to the conduct of their business of course I shall not object, but it is what they believe are necessary; but everybody knows that the head very easy to ascertain all the· facts about the matter to which he has of every bureau wants ample force. He wants as little trouble in the called our attention. management of his bureau as possible, and he wants ample force to do The Secretary of the Treasury, who is responsible for the particular the work. .All of us who ever pass through these Departments know Department we are now considering, estimated for twenty-five copy­ that there are a great many men there on the pay-rolls who have no ists in the Second Auditor's Office for the purpose of restoring and re­ wol'k to do one-half of their time. A great deal of the time they are pairingworn-outand defaced rolls in the Second Auditor's Office. These in the corridors, or frequently reading papers, with their feet on the rolls constitute the rolls ofthe Army of the Union during the war chiefly, desks. I have no question that there are bureaus connected with the in fact wholly; and they are the vouchers or the receipts that the Gov­ Executive Departments of the Government in which there is not more ernment holds for the payment of money, whether it be pay proper or than half the force required that is at present given. I have no doubt bounty or whatever. about that, and I have no doubt that some of the bureaus are deficient These rolls by frequent and constant handling for a great many years in help. have become worn and defaced so that some of them must be entirely What I suggested was that the Senate and the House upon their copied in order to be of use and service to the Government. They are own responsibility, for their own information, in order that they may being used now constantly in the settlements of old claims for bounty make the proper appropriations from the public Treasury to carry on and back-pay and various amounts which are due to the soldiers under the Executive Departments of the-Government, should institute their the laws which we have passed, and they must be examined and re­ own inquiry and ascertain for themselves by a joint committee of tho examined day by day. Some of them are in such a condition that they two Houses what are the necessities of the various Departments and must be replaced by copying and others replaced by repairing. the various bureaus connected with the Government, so that when the We called before us the Second Auditor. I am merely making this Appropriations Committee GQme in here and recommend an appropri­ statement now for the information of the Senator from Delaware to show ation tor a certain number of clerks for the Second Auditor's Office, for that we examined this subject. We called before us the Second Auditor instance, we may know authoritatively from a responsible committee of andrequesliedhim to bringtousasampleor anumberofsamplesofthese on.r own body that that is the absolute number of clerks required and worn-out and defaced rolls, which he did bring; and he stated that in­ that the compensation proposed to be paid to them is the proper com­ stead of having twenty-five copyists, the number estimated for by the pensation to be given. Secretary of the Treasury, if he had room for them he would require Bnt everybody knows that to-day, acting upon the estimates of the one hundred copyists, and that that number even would not be suffi­ heads of Departments who are informed by the heads of bureaus and cient to restore these rolls as rapidly as should be done. chiefs of divisions, we are voting blindly, and do not know whether we Mr. TELLER. Why not give him more? are voting proper amounts of money or the proper number of clerks or Mr. ALLISON. He has no room for them ~ which to work upon not. Everybody sees it. these rolls. :Mr. BECK and Mr. DAWES addressed the Chair. These rolls constitute the vouchers of the Government. They ought The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. PALMER in the chair). The Sen­ to be preserved, and they must be preserved. ·By what system of arith­ ator from Kentucky. metic the House of Representatives found that only eighteen copyists Mr. DAWES. I have been on all sorts of committees of this kind­ were necessary instead of twenty-five I do not know. It may have commmittees to adjust the work of the bureaus-- been upon that general caJculation which we hear whispered around Mr. BECK. I do not understand that the Senator from Massachu­ in the wind here and there, that they expected the Senate of the United setts has the floor. States would increase the amount according to the estimates of the The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Kentucky has the head of the Department, and then they would have an opportunity of floor. going to the country and saying, "Look at the extravagant Senate; it Mr. DAWES. I beg pardon. insists upon increasing all the appropriation bills that come over from :Mr. BECK. "'IheSenatorfromKentucky" wascalledbythe Chair, an economical House of Representatives." but the Senator from Massachusetts kept on speaking. We have endeavored in making the suggestions with reference to ap­ Mr. DAWES. I beg the Senator's pardon, I asked the Senator from propriations to carry out what we believe to be the essential needs of Delaware to yield to me, and he said he would as soon as he got through the Government, and we were convinced upon an examination that the with his sentence, and he seems to have gotten through. whole of the sum appropriated here would be required for the purpose Mr. BECK. I only wanted to know. Go on. indicated. We suggested a lump sum for the reason that it was stated Mr. DAWEE. I beg pardon. to us by those in charge of these rolls that if they had it in that way The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair did not hear the colloquy they believed they could repair more of the rolls than they could by between the Senators. having twenty-five men or women at a fixed sum. That is the reason Mr. DAWES. I would not interrupt the Senator from Kentucky for why the sum was appropriated in a lump. the world, but I was saying when I found myself interrupting the Sen­ Mr. BECK. If the chairman will allow me, my recollection is that ator from Kentucky that I had been on all sorts of committees, on the it was stated further that if we placed people upon the rolls they would Committee on Appropriations for a good many years in both branches claim to be there permanently, and complaint would be made about their of Congress and on committees that have undertaken to do for the Com­ discharge when theworkwasfinished, whereasifalumpsum was given mittee on Appropriations its work. I never could understand, and I they would not be in a position to make any such complaint when there wanted to ask the Senator from Delaware for his views on it, to whom was no further need for their services. such a committee could go for the information as to the need ancl ne­ :M:r. ALLISON. 'Yes, that was stated. cessities of the Government but to the heads of its bureaus who have Mr. SAULSBURY. I am not finding fault with the Committee on the work to discharge. They can get.no other information unless they .Appropriations of the Senate in the point I made. I have no doubt sit down in the place of the head of the bureau and go through for a they acted according to the best information they had, and that they year or more the duties ofthatheadofbureau before theycatl tell what did what in their judgment it was right and proper to do. What I was are the needs of the bureau itself. . talking about was the apparent disagreement in the committees of the A committee appointed independent of the Committee on Appropri­ two Houses, that one or the other or both have not sufficient data upon ations can go nowhere else for its information except to the bureau which to make recommendations here for the votes that we give; and itself, and examine the work to be done, and the character of the offi­ then I suggested that we ought to have an inquiry by Congress itself to cers who are to do the work, and adapt th ~ one to the other; and they ascertain definitely what are the necessities of the various bureaus con­ can do that in no other way but by ascertaining from experience what nected with the Executive Departments of this Government. · is necessary for the bureau. We are now acting, as I said, solely upon the estimates of the heads I take it that the Senator from Delaware has just as much confi­ of Departments. The heads of Departments can not personally know dence in the present heads of the bureaus and in the present manage­ exactly what is needed. It is utterly impossible for them to enter into ment of each bureau down to the minutest detail of each bureau as the details of the various bureaus under their supervision. They are anybody could have had in the heads of its bureaus in the past. I am compelled, therefore, to rely upon heads of bureaus, and the heads of not drawing any distinction. bureaus consult the chiefs of divisions, and they go down to the lowest If the Senator should be put at the head of such a committee he grade of officials having charge of these matters to ascertain what are could not draw upon his own experience and could not draw from the necessities of the bureau. books what is necessary to-day in the bureaus. He would go directly Mr. ALLISON. Does not the Senator see that the head of a bureau, to the head of each bureau, and the head of the bureau now under the to wit, the Second Auditor in this particular case, could, by expend­ system presents his estimate of the necessities of his bureau to the ing five minutes or ten m.iimtes of his time, ascertain whether this ap­ Secretary of the Treasury, and the Secretary of the Treasury only propriation was necessary or not? transmit:B that estimate. XVII-3!JG CONGRESSIONAL _RECORD-SENATE. • JUNE 30,

When the time 'Shall come that each head of a bureau shall be indi­ without asking our advice and only accounted for in an Auditor's re­ vidually held res:Ponsible by the law for wh.'l.t is done in his bureau, port at the end of the year. We are not even asked in regard to the both in the character of the work and the cost of the work, then, and character or qualifications of the persons employed, while we are in­ not until then, will the .civil service of this country be reformed. Give vestigating in executive session for weeks the standing of every little to each head of a bureau the power to employ such service as he needs, postmaster whose salary exceeds $1,000. and hold him responsible for two things and two things only, the char­ Mr. President, we are sitting here day by day nibbling away about acter of his work and the cost of it, and you will have accomplished all some clerk, some charwomen, some trifle, even down to a piece of soap, that the civil service of the country can be reformed by statute. as though we were seriously watching to see that every dollar taken But I am curious to know how an independent joint committee of from taxes collected is accounted for to us; yet, as I have shown, there the two Houses of Congress can throw any light upon this subject other are five and a half million dollars thrown in bulk into ·the hands of than the light which would come from the committees of the Senate the Secretary and his customs officers under permanent appropriations, and the House, whose duty it is now to examine the estimates and allowing them to collect all they can from drayage, storage, cartage, judge for themselves through every som·ce of information, which is as fines, penalties and forfeitures, in addition to the $5,500,000 we give freely open to them as it would be to any select committee specially them, and distribute it as they please, and all of it is spent without charged with the examination. saying a word to Congress or without any of us knowing anything The committee of the other branch have had six months to do that about it or having any supervision over it. I only give that as a thing in, and so has the committee of this branch, as to that matter, specimen. I have tried for years without success to bring them under anticipating the work that should come up here. What more time is the jurisdiction of Congress, so that some sort of restriction might be there for a select committee to go aborrt.reorganizing? imposed. The idea of a Committee on Appropriations being able to The Senator from Kentucky and the Senator from Iowa have some do more than keep a general check upon such things as are committed recollection of an ambitious committee of this kind that some ten years to onr supervision is absolutely absurd. We do the best we can; we ago reorganized the Treasury Department under an idea that they could hold expenditures in check whenever we can and are allowed to do, themselves establish, without experience and without knowledge of the and yet leaks are going on all f9und. The stream is flowing through work, a better system. They will agree with me that it entailed upon the bung-hole too frequently while we are stopping the spigot to see the Government very many thousands of dollars in excess of the old that not a drop gets away among the little things that come under system and in excess of the present system, so faT as from time to time our jurisdiction. the two Houses of Congress have fotmd it in their power to undo the I thought of saying some other things, but I believe I will not. As work of that joint committee. far as this bill is concerned it has received all the care that the gentle­ I trust that the Senator from Delaware, if he desires to have econ­ men on the Appropriations Committee who have had long service could omy in this and future administrations, will never seta select commit­ giv-e it. I agree, and I am sorry to have to agree to much of the criti­ tee at work for these two committees to prepare for them a new and cism of Republican Senators, that there are very many items inserted broader and more ambitious plan of service than the present one. by the Senate committee in the bill that ought to have been inserted Jrir. BECK. Mr. President, I do not rise for the purpose of discuss­ in the House of Representatives. After holding the bill back for six ing this particular item. The Senator from Iowa has explained it so months and sending it to the Senate the last days of the fiscal year, so ~orough l y that there can be no dispute about its propriety and neces- that we can hardly ~nsider it and inform ourselves so as to answer sity. . questions intelligently, we have a resolution sent here to-day to extend In the Second Auditor's Office at least $21,000 are needed for the pur­ the appropriations of the expiring fiscal year into the next year, whether pose of restoring and repairing the worn out and defaced rolls. If that they are in accordance with the needs of the service for the next year is not done and done very soon many very poor and deserving people who or not, in order to prevent the wheels of government from being stopped have just claims will not be able to obtain payment at all by reason ot by reason of the delay that has occurred in the passage in proper time the destruction of the needed proofs. of those appropriation bills. It was believed by the committee that the proper way to do this work A Republican Senate, it is alleged, with much show of justice, is was to give the Auditor $21,000 to apply to that purpose and let him compelled to make many additions to carry on the Government de­ get the best service he could for the least money, so that when the work cently, because gentlemen at the other end of the Capitol are with­ was done he could let the employes go, as they would understand that holding what is absolutely needed, as stated in their official com­ they were employed for that special purpose and for that purpose only. munications and personal interviews by the Democratic officers of the Wo deemed that preferable to placing new people upon the regular Government, as necessary to carry on the Government properly. I sit pay-1·oll who when once there either at $900, $1,000, $1,200, or 1,400 in that committee with a certain sense of mortification at the delay, a year would of course complain that they were improperly discharged which I think needless, and I confess I feel humiliated when I hear or dismissed, and claim that they have a hold on the Government and Republican gentlemen say, what! have heard stated on this floor more ought to be kept in the Department. It is better to appropriate a fixed than once in the last day or two, that very likely many of the appro­ amount of money and get the service as it can best be obtained, and priations are diminished so that gentlemen at the other end of the then the persons who do the work will understand that when it is done Capitol can go before the country and tell how economical they were they will not be needed and that they are not employes of the Gov­ and how extravagant this end of the Capitol was, when this and many ernment in any sense except for that special purpose. That the money other items have to be inserted as amendments for the very purpose of is needed and that much more is needed for this purpose I think no one enabling the Government to be carried on at alL I can make no ex­ will dispute. cuse for the delay. We know that for the fiscal year 1888, when this What! rose to say to the Senator from Delaware, who is usually very Congress expires by its own limitation on the 4th day of March, 1887, careful, and whose ideas upon these subjects are always in the line not every one of these appropriation bills has to be passed before that only of economy but of. good government and fair dealing, is that he time, and when the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Rep­ will find that the Committee on Appropriations, especially in the Sen­ resentatives had their labor lightened this year by placing in the ate, can only deal with substantial accnra-ey in regard to matters coming hands of other committees the consular and diplomatic bill, the Indian under its jurisdiction to which attention is called, but I regret to say bill, the Post-Office and other important bills which formerly encum­ we have absolutely no power or jurisdiction over many questions in bered them, and now on the last day of the fiscal year the sundry which the largest and most important leaks occur in the management civil bill is not even here. The legislative, executive, and judicial of the fiseal affairs of the Government. For example, section 3687 of bill passed the House almost in the closing week of the fiscal year, -the Revised Statutes of the United States provides, under the head of and is in the condition in which we have it before us. The naval bill "permanent annual appropriations:" is not even considered, the deficiency bill . is not looked at, while the There is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appro­ fortification bill has not been touched. I am not proud of the record. priated, the sum of $2,750,000, for the expenses of collecting the revenue from I do not propose to defend it. customs for each half year, in addition to such sums as may be received from fines, penalties, and forfeitures connected with the customs, and from fees paid M:r. PLUMB. Mr. President, I was a little bit disturbed by the posi­ into the Treasury by customs officers, and from storage, cartage, drayage, labor, tion which my friend from Massachusetts [Mr. DAWES] took upon the and services. question of civil-service reform, as I understood him. I agree with him There are $5,500,000 in money and an indefinite sum arising from in regard to that which is necessary for good administration, but if I all sorts of outside things given in a lump for the collection of customs. understand what civil-service reform is he is about as far away from it as I While this conversation was going on I turned to the Blue Book, and am, and I never was close enough to get into any danger from the con tact. counting as well as I could I find in volume 1 of the last Official Reg­ If we are to have an administration of the various Departments of ister or BlueBook, as it is called, that at the port of New York alone the Government in which the head shall be responsible for what is done, there are over sixteen hundred people employed in the custom-house for the personnel, those persons in the office which he administers, and with salaries ranging from the collector at 121000, auditor and cash­ if he is to be made responsible for the result, it logically and necessarily iers at $5,000 to $3,000, $3,000, $2,500, 2, 000 and down1 all of them paid follows that he must select the instrumentalities with which he will out of the general permanent fund under the provision I have read and do the work. He can not do that if we are to have a totally irresponsi­ paid just as the Secretary of the Treasury and the collector may please ble body outside to certify to him the number of persons whom they without coming to Congress and saying "By your leave, gentlemen." think will come in and fill the bill, and who he may think will not fill The wages of employes are increased or diminished, put up or down, it at all. 1886. CONG"REBSIONAL R~CORD-SENATE. 6323

So, as I have had occasion to say heretofore, and I only say it again cause there has not been the opportunity in the way of time to give-the in order to keep my hand in, so to speak, we are getting away all the necessary investigation. And yet we are tied not by the Constitution time from any kind of responsibility for executive adnrini.st:rntion. I think, bu.t by the construction of the Constitution which the House Every man in the service now, except a few chiefs of bureans; is not has put upon that instrument, so as to prevent us from introducing there on account ·of any merit that he has, not on account of anybody's appropriation bills., and we sit here to take simply what the House desire that he shall be in the service at all1 but made to order by a mar finally gives us. · chine after the fashion of the procrustean bed, which cut off a man if Mr. President, I think it would be a good idea for the House and he was too long and stretched him out if he was too short. In other Senate to sit here until September, or October, or November until every words, all these men are substantially alike, with no indl}..cement and single item ofthese bills could be scrutinizedin such a way that every no incentive to any extra effort, to the exhibition of any great intelli­ Senator could say that he understood exactly what the appropriations gence or zeal in behalf of the Government, but simply the ability to get were for, the necessities as they actually are, or are claimed to be in through six hours and a half out of the twenty-four, and with a regu­ each given case, and that if they did not meet his wishes he at least larity which was commended in George Washington by John Phoouix, had had the opportunity to express his dissent and to haye the vote of his biographer, as being that of his greatest merit. That is what we are the Senate thereupon. It is not a proper reg-,ud for the public inter­ coming to. ests which we observe in taking these measures thus from the House, So we commence at the beginning by paying men salaries as the heads and are then crowded by their importunity to make up for their own of bureaus and as the heads of Departments, and then in order to make delay heretofore. · that apparently logical and proper we shave the responsibility down The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair understands that there is through assistants and chief clerks, and fourth-class clerks, and third­ no question before the Senate. The reading of the bill wili be pro­ class clerks, and second-class clerks, and first-class clerks, and on down ceeded with. to the charwomen, a regular descending scale like a series of steps going DISTB.ICT APPROPRIATION BILL. down from an upper story, each one having a responsibility according Mr. PLUMB. I ask unanimous consent to submit the report of the to the amount of his salary, a responsibility to his chief, not a respQnsi­ conference committee on the District of Columbia appropriation bill. bility to the public, and of course the responsibility of the chief being Mr. EDMUNDS. You have aright without unanimous consent. at the minimum. If anything goes wrong he says one of these people Mr. PLUMB. I submit the report. who was put under me here, and to whom you gave a salary in propor­ The report was read. as follows: tion to what you assumed to be his responsibility, is responsible and The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the "two Houses on not I; and then to cap it all there has been set up a totally irresponsi­ the amendments of the Senate to the bill (H. R. 6397) "making appropriations ble body, in no wise interested in the faithful administration of public to provide for the expenses of the government for the District of Oolnmbia for the fiscal year ending June 30,1887, and for other purposes," having met, after affairs, that is to name all the persons who are to perform all these various full and free conference have agreed to recommend and do recommend to their services and draw the respective salaries. respective Houses as follows: . . I am glad to see that the Senator from Massachusetts draws back from That the Senate recede from its amendments numbered 5, 6, 14, 22, 23, 24, 42, 43, 44,45,52,57,58,68, 74, 76,88, 90, 91, 95, 99,100,110,111,113,115,117,119,125, and 126. that system himself and that he is fundamentally opposed to it and be­ That the House recede from its disagreement to the amendments of the Sen­ lieves it to be subversive of that proper system of responsibility which ate numbered l, 8, 9,12,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 34, 36, i'fl, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 55. 56, 59, we ought to have. I do not mean to say by that, that I think there 60, 61., 62, 63, 64, 65, 65, 67, 71. 73, 75, 78, 86, 93, 96, 97, 101,102, 103,104., 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, ll2, 118, 120,123, 128, and 129, and agree to the same. ought to be a restoration of any system which was heretofore in exist­ .Amenqment numbered 2: That the House recede from i ls disagreement to the ence; but what I do mean to say is that any system which comes be­ amendment of the Senate numbered 2, and agree to the same with an amend­ tween the individual and the proper performance of his duties, of the ment as follows: Strike out of said amendment the following: "One stenog­ rapher, .. 1,200;" and the Senate agree to the same. responsibilities which ought to attaeh to him for that performance, is a Amendment numbered 4: That the House recede from its disagreement to the wrong to the public. amendment of the Senate numbe.red 4, and agree to the same with an amend­ In place of dividing this responsibility among all these different per­ ment as follows : In lieu of the sum proposed insert "$22,44.1; " and the SenR.te agree to the same.. · sons, I think we ought to employ gentlemen of sufficient ability to fill Amendment numbered 11: That the House recede from its disagreement to the these high offices and then give them help in order that the work may amendment of the Senate numbered 11, and agree to the same with an amend­ be done, holding them responsible for the manner in which the busi­ ment as follows: In lieu. of the sum named insert "$1,1.00; " and the Senate agree to the same. . ness is done and giving them the proper agency for the transaetion of Amendment numbered 13: That the House recede from its disagreement to that business. the amendment of the Senate numbered 13, and agree to the same wit.h an I was glad to see the Senator from Kentucky [Mr. BECK] put the amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum named insert "$200;" and the Senate agree to the same. responsibility in regard to the lack of consideration that this bill has Amendment numbered 15: That the House recede from its disagreement to had upon the House of Representatives. Substantially all the people the amendment of the Senate numbered 15, and agree to the same with an who are employed in the United States Government, omitting those amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum named insert "58,700; " and the Sen­ ate agree to the same. who are in the customs service, are provided for in this bill. Amendment numbered 26: That the House recede from. it.s d.isagreemen t to The House of Representatives, as the Senator from Kentucky well the amendment of the Senate numbered 26, and agree to the sam.e with an said, had this bill under consideration for nea.rly seven months, and amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum named insert "$65,000; " l\nd the Sen- ate agree to the same. · . yet a member of that House on the floor of tll.i& Chamber a few days Amendment numbered 27: That the House recede from its disagreement to ago was complaining that the Senate was delaying the adjournment of the a.m.endment of the Senate numbered Zl, and agree to the same with an Congress because we had not passed this bill already. It will not do amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum nam..ed insert "$60,000;" and the Sen­ ate agree to the same. to say, if we are to maintain the equal authority of the Senate in :regard Amendment numbered 32: That the House recede from its disagreement t-o to matters of public concern, that if the House passes a bill the Senate the amendment of the Senate numbered 32, and agree to t-he same with an is to hold it or take it without suggestion and without consideration. amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "$266,000;" and the Senate agree to the same. ·That is not a proper exercise of the functions wmch are delegated to us · Amendment numbered 33: That tbe House .recede from its disagreement to here. If it takes three months for the House to formulate and to pass the amendment of the Senate numbered 33, and agree to the same with an this bill, the Senate ought to have an equal time because the responsi­ amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "$440,000; " and the Senate agree to the same. bility is upon us as much as it is upon them. Amendment numbered 47 : That the House recede from its disagreement to Mr. EDMUNDS. Six months. . the amendment of the Senate numbered 47, and agree to the same with an 1tlr. PLUMB. I say it took them six months; butweoughttohave amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert " S57 ,&!2; " and the Senate agree to the same. as much time as they, although I am willing to say that the Senate Am.endment numbered 69: That the House recede from its disagreement to committee, I have no doubt, and the Senate could get along with this tbe amendment of the Senate numbered 69, and agree to the same with an bill very well if we had even a clean month to consider it and give it amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum named in said amendment inse'rt "$30,000;" and the Senate agree to the same. all the consideration it deserves. It is one. thing to consider it in a Amendment numbered 70: That the House recede from its disagreement to month and another thing to consider it altogether in fifteen days, with the amendment of the Senate numbered 70, and agree to the same with an other bills at the same time to consider and other important duties amendment as follows: In lieu of the snm proposed insert" $181,000 ; " and the Senate agree t-o the same. pressing not only upon the committee but upon members of the Sen­ Amendment num.bered 79: That the House recede from its disagreement t-o ate. the amendment of the Senate numbered 79, and agree to the same with an So it comes finally under the system which is in >ogue and which is amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "$5,500; " and the Senate agree to the same. compulsory upon the Senate practically that the House takes all the Amendment numbered SO: That the House recede from its disagreement to time it needs, lands its provisions crude or perfect as they may be upon the amendment of the Senate numbered 80, and agree to the s!l.me with au the Senate, giving the Senate no time to considerthem, upon the peril amendment as follows : In lieu of the sum proposed insert "$344,780;" and the Senate agree to the same. of keeping f'AJngress in session in the dog days or beyond the proper Amendment numbered 83: That the House recede from its disagreement to time. We ought to have the opportunity for a proper consideration of the amendment ofthe Henate numbered 83, and agree to the same w ith an amend­ this bill. It has had the consideration which the similar bill has had ment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "$840; " and tbe Senate agree to the same. for the last few years since I have known anything about the matter Amendment numbered Si: That the House recede from its disagreement to in the committee, and still there was a lack of a great deal of the con­ the amendment of the Senate numberedS.i, and agree to the same with an amend­ sideration it ought to have had, and we are taking many things blindly. ment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "$840;" and the Senate agree to the same. The necessities of the public service have not been thoroughly ascer· Amendment num.bered 85: That the House recede from its disagreement to tained by the Senate committee and are not known by the Senate, be- theamendrnentof the Senate numbered85, and agree to the same with a.na.mend- 6324 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-· SENATE. JUNE 30, ment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insart "$840;" and the Senate Mr. PLUMB. Of course the Honse did not amend the bill because agree to the same. Amendment numbered 87: That the House recede from its disagreement to we got the bill from the House complete without any amendment. the amendment of the Senate numbered 87, and agree to the same with an amend­ The next amendment was one in which the Senate gave to tb.e col­ ment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "$3,000;" and the Senate lector's office $2,000 for the purpose of preparing an exhibit of out­ n,o-ree to the same. Amendment numbered 89: That the House recede from its disagreement to standing arrears of taxes, in place of $800. To that the House con­ the amendment of the Senate numbered 89, and agree to the same with an amend­ ferees have acceded. So the amount is as fixed by the Senate. ment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "&116,420; 11 and the Senate Mr. EDMUNDS. I am glad of it, and I hope he will do it. agree to the same. Amendment numbered 94: That the House recede from its disagreement t{) Mr. PLUMB. The next was an amendment in which the Senate had the amendment of the Senate numbered 94, and agree to the same with an amend­ increased the compensation for the special assistant attorney of the Dis­ ment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "515,840; 11 and the Senate trict, the gentleman who tries the cases in the magistrates' courts, from agree to the same. Amendment numbered 98: That the House recede from its disagreement to $960 to $1,200. The amount is fixed by the conferees at $1,100. the amendment of the Senate numbered 98, and agree to the same with au amend­ The next amendment was fixing the compensation of the law clerk ment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert" $572,750;.11 and the Senate at $1,000 in place of $960 and the Honse bas receded from its disagree- agree to the same. Amendment numbered 116: That the House recede from its disagreement to ment to that, leaving the compensation at $1,000. · the amendment of the Senate numbered 116, and agree to the same with an The next was an amendment fixing the pay of a messenger in that amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "550,000; 11 and the office at $240 instead of $192. The House contending against that, the Senate agree to the same. Amendment numbered 121: That the House recede from its disagreement to amount is finally fixed at $200, precisely what was estimated for. the amendment of the Senate numbered 121, and agree to the same with an The next amendment was one giving to that office $500 in place of$300 amendment as follows: Strike out from said amendment the following: ~· Tem­ for stationery, printing, &c. The Senate has receded in that case, leav­ porary clerk-hire, $400; 11 and the Senate agree to the same. Amendment numbered 1.22: That the House recede from its disagreement to ing the amount at $300. the amendment of the Senate numbered 122, and agree to the same with an The next amend.nlent was giving the coroner $700 for contingent ex­ amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert "$3,500;" and the penses, including jurors' fees, stationery, books, blanks, removal of Senate agree to the same. · Amendment numbered 124: That the House recede from its disagreement to podies of deceased persons, making autopsies, and holding inquests, in the amendment of the Senate numbered 124, and agree to the same with an place of $500 given by the House. The Honse has receded. The amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert '• $42,280; '' and the amount which the Senate inserted in that case was the amount pro­ Senate agree to the same. Amendment numbered lZ7: That the House recede from its disagreement to vided for in the appropriation bill of last year. the amendment of the Senate numbered 127, and agree to the same with an The nexttwo items were increa.sing the number of rodmen and ax­ amendment as follows : In lien of the sum proposed insert " $75,000; " and the men from three to four. Senate agree to the same. Amendment numbered 130: That the House recede from its disagreement to Mr. EDMUNDS. What are they? the amendment of the Senate numbered 130, and agree to the same with an Mr. PLUMB. They are for the use of the engineers of the District amendment, as follows: Insert after the word "and" where it occurs in said in laying out streets, and so on. The Senate recedes from this amend­ amendment the following: "One-half of the same less any amounts heretofore credited shall be; " and the Senate agree to the same. ment. ' P.B.PLU~m. The next item was for the repairs of concrete pavements. I beg the H. L. DAWES, Senate to understand that I have left out some amendments in which F. M. COCKRELL, ' Managers on the part oj-the Senate. the House concurred, which are mere matters of phraseology, and am Wl\1. L. WILSON, taking up those which involve the appropriation of sums of money. JNO. J. ADAMS, In regard to the concrete pavements, the bill as it came from the D. B. HENDERSON, House gave $55,000 for repairs, being $5,000 more than the appropri­ .Managers on the part of the House. ation of last year. The Senate, on what it conceived to be a proper Mr. EDMUNDS. Of course it is perfectly impossible to understand consideration of the case, made the sum $75,000. It is compromised this report as read in regard to these various items, but I noticed, stand­ so as to leave it $65,000. ing at the desk, on amendment No. 32, I think it was, that a recommen­ The next item was an increase of the appropriation for materials for dation was made which appeared, as I heard it read, to go beyond what permit work from $50,000 to $70,000. either the House or the Senate had provided, and I should like to have Mr. EDMUNDS. What :is permit work? the report of the conference on amendment 32 ag:Un read. Mr. PLUMB. Permit work is a class of improvement like the pav­ The Chief Clerk read as follows: ing of streets and walks where the party who desires the work to be done, it not being within the power of the District government to do That the House recede from its disagreement to the amendment of the Senate it because of the lack of appropriations, pays one-half of the expense; numbered 32, and agree to the same with an amendment as follows: In lieu of the sum proposed insert" $266,000." • that is to say he pays for all the labor while the commissioners furnish the material. So, if the Senator from Vermontoranybodyelse desires Mr. EDMUNDS. I should like to have read the House provision to a walk in front of his house, which the commissioners do not feel them­ which amendment 32 applies, and the Senate amendment thereto. selves warranted in putting down out of the general. fund, on a proper The CHmF CLERK. In the House bill the words are '' $256, 000.'' In application the commissioners will give him the material, he furnishing the Senate amendment it is proposed to strike out ":fifty-six " and in­ the labor, thewhole being done under the direction of the commission­ sert "seventy-six;" so as to read "$276, 000." In the report of the ers, they spending the money of the applicant and accounting to him committee of conference in lien of the sum proposed '' $366,000 ' 7 is in­ for the same. It is estimated in that way tb3t the District saves one­ serted. half the cost of improvements made in this manner. That amount Mr. EDMUNDS. That is all right then. was increased by the Senate from $50,000 to $70,000, and in conference Mr. PLUMB. I will state for the information of the Senate, and in it has been reduced to $60,000, an even division of the amount in con- view of the suggestion of the Senator from Vermont, that in no case was troversy. ' the amount which was raised by the Senate increased by the.committee The next item was the one about which the Senator from Vermont of conferen~e. It was either left as the Senate put it or it was dimin­ has just spoken, in which the Senate increased the amount for street ished. improvements from $256,000 to $276,000~ The conferees have agreed. Mr. EDMUNDS. If there were time I should be glad, not in respect upon $266,000. of this particular bill but as to all these things to have the conference The next amendments are all together. They put the control of Ben­ report go over for a day and be printed so that every Senator might ning's and Anacostia Bridges under the District commissioners and have a chance to understand it; but I do not ask that now, because I added a sum of $5,000 for the purpose of repairing Anacostia Bridge, have entire confidence in my friend from Kansas. which, according ,to the testimony, is in an unsafe condition. Mr. PLUMB. I can state in five minutes just what changes were Mr. EDMUNDS. Under what control are they now? made. Mr. PLUMB. Anacostia and Benning's Bridges are under the con­ Mr. EDMUND3. I should be glad to have that done. trol of the Secretary of War. They alone of all the bridges in the Dis­ Mr. PLUMB. The first amendment involving any sum of money or trict are under the control of the War Department. anything else except a mere formality was amendment numbered 2, in Mr. CHACE. Have those bridges always been under the control of which the Senate gave to the District commissioners an additional clerk the War Department? at $1,200 and a stenographer at $1,200. A compromise was reached Ur. PLUMB. These two bridges, since I haveknownofthem, have whereby the Honse acceded to so much of the Senate amendment as been under the control of the War Department, making a ·divided con~ gave the clerk, and the Senate receded from that part which gave the trol over the highways of the District of Columbia, and the committee stenographer. adopted the language in such a way as to give control to the District Mr. CHACE. Is not the result of that that they lose both? commissioners and gave $5,000 for the purpose of repairing the two Mr. PLUMB. No, the result of that :is that they get the clerk but bridges, it being estimated that about that amount will be necessary do not get the stenographer. . to repair Anaeostia Bridge alone. The House agree to that. The next amendment was one giving an additional clerk to the as­ There are some other items. We increased the .number of watch­ sessor's office. From that the Senate has receded, leaving the force as men at the Washington Asylum by one and finally recede from it, the the bill came from the House. House declining to yield. Mr. CHACE. Will the Senator from Kansas state whether it is a Mr. EDMUNDS. What is the Washiiigton Asylum? Senate or House ~mendment when he reads it? Mr. PLUMB. That is the poor-house of the District. 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 6325

We increased the pay of a female keeper at the work-house from $180 to sleep in a room where the thermometer went down to zero and be· to $240. We have given that up on the demand of the Honse. low, somehow or other did not seem to me to be a very strong argu­ We diminished the pay of a teacher from $300 to $240, and have ment. In addition to that, the Senator will bear in mind that this in­ given that up on the demand of the House. stitution has been pretty liberally provided for heretofore. We increased the sum appropriated for the purpose of the purchase Mr. CONGER. I can not agree with the Senator. of supplies, &c., for that establishment from $39,000 to $40,000, and :M:r. PLUMB. When I say pretty well provided for, I speak com­ have given that up on the demand of the House. paratively. We inserted an item for the purchase ofadnmmy engine for a tram­ Mr. CONGER. I say there are institutions around this city not half' way at $2,000; which the Honse has finally agreed to, and that_is in­ as humane and not half as useful in protecting the little waifs from a corporated ~ the report. life of crime that have been furnished large amounts of money, more Mr. EDMUNDS. What is that tramway? than was necessary, for reasons which I do not wish to explain. Mr. PLUMB. It is a tramway which has been built by the com­ Mr. PLUMB. The Senator need notwithhold any statement of rea­ missioners for the purpose of carrying earth, the result of excavation, to sons on my account. a causeway designed to make an approach to the East Branch, where Mr. CONGER. Not at aU on your account; but this institution, it is expected that ultimately a new means of crossing will be provided. which I belie\e to be one of the means of preventing hundred's of chil­ Mr. EDMUNDS. Yon mean street excavation? dren from falling into the paths of crime and vice and following the l!fr. PLU~IB. Street excavation, and . excavations are made in the drunkenness and debauchery oftheir parents, one of the most benevo­ city by the inmates of the work-house. The earth is to be taken to lent and desirable in the District, bas been, in my judgment, very nig­ that place where the causeway is to be constructed just above the navy- gardly treated in the matterofappropriations. I have urged for years yard. ' appropriations for this institution, and they have been given somewhat Mr. INGALLS. At the foot of Pennsylvania avenue. slowly. This has gone so far that the children more advanced in years, Mr. PLUMB. It was simply designed to furnish additional means from twelve to sixteen, the limit of time they remained there, have of enabling the District commissioners to make use of this force and in earned by making tree-boxes for the city of Washington between $900 a work which does not displace at any time the labor which otherwise and $1,100 a year for the last two or three years, and by the law the they would employ, but anticipating the public convenience in the money which those children earned, which that institution has earned future. in its attempt at a little industry for little children, is by law turned We increased the item for the engineer at the Reform School from into the '.rreasury. They are not even allowed the credit and the use $336 to $396, which the House has agreed to. of the proceeds of their own labor. If any other institution has been Mr. EDMUNDS. That is on account of the reform administration, treated so niggardly as that, I have been unable to find it. I suppose. Mr. PLUMB. As I am not the Government, of course I do nottake Mr. PLUMB. We increased theitemforcertaincontingentexpenses that to myself; but I beg the Senator's attention to this fact: We com­ of the Reform School from $600 to $900, and the House has agreed to menced in 1883 with an appropriation of $5,000 for current expenses; that. that bas been doubled since that time. In addition to that we gav~ The Senate inserted a provision "for the erection of a new building them $13,000 to pay their debts. In the next .place we gave them for the Industrial Home School, $3,500." The House has agreed to $12,000 last year to build a stable and a laundry, and inasmuchas- that. Mr. CONGER. Nota laundry. The Sen..'lte also inserted an amendment providing for steam-heating 1\Ir. PLUMB. It is so stated in the appropriation. apparatus, $1,000, for that building, and the Senate recedes from that. Mr. CONGER. A. laundry ten by seven; a dirty room in which Mr. EDh-IDNDS. Where is that school located? washing would not be done if they had any other place to do it. Mr. PLUMB. Beyond Georgetown. We recede from so much of the Mr. PLUMB. The fact that we gave the appropriation for that pur­ n.mendment as provided for steam-heating apparatus for the building. pose rather discredited to some extent the statement which we found Mr. CONGER I suppose that the Senate committee receded from among the papers in the case; but the fact that the laundry is in the it without knowing that twenty-five or thirty children in that school condition the Senator from Michigan. has now described it does not slept there through the nights of last winter when the thermometer change the case. If we gave them $12,000 for a stable and a laundry . was almost at zero, in a room that had no fire and no possible means they ought not to have built a laundry for $20 and spent $11,980 on a of building a fire. · . stable. I do not now question the management of the institution or ita Mr. PLUMB. We did not sin without knowledge; we did it with value to the young people of this District who otherwise would go into !>Dr eyes open, and we had that statement before us. I confess it did the streets. I do not, however, yield to the criticism of the Senator not impress me, and it did not impress other persons, as being a very fromMichiganwhenhespeaksofameanGoverumentwhichtakes$1,100 strong case, having myself slept during all my adolescent days in a room out of an institution of that kind which the inmates have earned, and that was not warmed artificially. I did not see the necessity for that. gives them $10,000 aack for thetr support. · _ However, I wanted to say that we contended for the amendment; it So I think on the whole it bas been tolerably fairly treated. I do not was in conference twice, and was taken before the committee in the say that as a final judgment, but the Senator knows verywell that the House by the House conferees, we declining to yield anything of it, contention that grows up about these things frequently necessitates a and they came back with a demand that we should yield it all, and compromise; and there is this other thing to be borne in mind, that after a contention that lasted for a long time, longer than on auy other this institution, while a recognized one for a long time, did not send item in the bill, and after it became certain that unless we conceded in down a formal estimate for this purpose, and the committee acted upon part we should finally lose all this as far as the present conference was an unsigned paper presented by the Senator from Michigan. So the concerned, we concluded to save the larger item and lose the smaller institution itself was not there asking for anything, the District au­ one. We had accepted the statement of the Senator f1·om Michigan on thorities did not ask for anything in this regard, and the national au­ that subject as conclusive. thorities did not ask for anything. While I do not speak of that as I want to say further that it was stated by the chairman of the qualifying in any respect what the Senator has said, it lacks that formal House conferees that Mr. Foster, the president of the institution, had presentation which usually accompanies appropriations of this kind. stated to him in substance that no necessity existed for the building, ltlr. CONGER. The Senator will remember that the committee dis­ or at all events if the necessity did exist it was chiefly because of the counted $500 out of the $5,000 which is in this estimate, which at the fact that the Library building was to be built here east of the Capitol, request of the committ-ee I procured from the trustees and the officers necessitating the destruction of a large number of brick houses, and of the institution, who thought $5,000 was desirable to begin with, mak­ enabling them to buy brick cheaper at this time than otherwise: In ing it $4,500 instead of $5,000, which was the lowest estimate. I do view of that statement coming from a source that we could not dis­ not find any fault with the committee. I have no interest in the in­ pute, we thought we should do best by acting as we have done. stitution more than any other gentleman, but I wish the committee in Mr. EDMUNDS. That is the best reason I have heard for putting the gilding of the statue of Liberty on top of the Capitol, with the hel­ the Library over that way. met and so on, had struck off $2,000 from that, and could have left offsome Mr. PLUMB. The only one I ever heard. of the ornamental things that are so pleasant to the eye and given a Mr. CONGER. The children to whom I have alluded are from four little to these poor children. to seven and eight years of age. I do not know but that the Senator Mr. PLU~1B. I am as much of a Gradgrind as the Senator is. I may think it convenient for little children, boys and girls, to sleep in am not in favor of gilding any monuments or anything of that kind; a garret of a building without any fire or any means of heatinO' it at and, as far as I know it, I mean that the money which I assist in appro­ all during the winter. It is shocking to all my ideas of humanity and priating shall go to some pr&.ctical purpose. So that has no approach fairness that children should be brought up in that way. to me. There bas been no appropriation yet made for gilding a mon­ Mr. PLUMB. I can not of course put myself quite in the position ument so far as I know. I am not in favor of building monuments to of the Senator from Michigan, but I am sure that no one could have dead people until we have got a pretty fair sort of homes for living been more impressed with the statementthan the membersofthe com­ ones. So, if that gets through it will not be with my vote, unless I mittee were, and no one could have done more I think, not even the change my mind. Senator himself, for the purpose of saving this item exactly as he put The Senate amended the provision in regard to the support of in­ it in. We certaiulydid not Jack in the sympathetic direction, although, digent insane in the District of Columbia, reducmg the amount which as I said in the committee, and as I say now, the fact that children had the Dittrict was to pay from $75,000 to $70,000. The House insisted 6326 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENA'.rE. JUNE 30, that they had put in the proper proportion, and the Senate yielded, ANNA. E. COONEY. leaving the amount at $75,132. _ l\Ir. SAWYER submitted the following report: In the item of the National Association for Destitute Colored Wo­ The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two ITo uses on men and Children, the House inserted $2,000 for furniture and heating the amendments of the Senate to the bill (H. R. 45«) granting a pension to appabtus for the building; the Senate added $500 for the purpose of Anna E. Cooney, having met, n.fter full and free conference have agreed to rec­ ommend and do recommend to their respecti\'e Houses as follows: That the improvement of grounds, grading, &c., and the Honse has agreed to Senate recede from its amendment. that. H.W.BLAIR, The Senate inserted an item of $3,500 to enable the trustees of the PHILETUS SAWYER, W. 0. WHITTHORNE, Washington Hospital for Foundlings to complete the building being Managers on the part of the Senate. erected for the use of the institution; $5,000 to aid in the erection of EDWIN B. WINANS, additional accommodations for the use of the Saint Rose Industrial W. P. TAULBEE~.-...... ~~· School; $5,000 to aid in the erection of additional accommodations for MARTIN M. H.A.l:.N~, the use of the House of the Good Shepherd; $5,000 to enable the board Managers on the part of the House. of managers of the Association for Works of Mercy to discharge that The report was concurred in. much of"the indebtedness of the association; for the repair and com­ MRS. H.A.NN .A.H BABB HUTCHINS. pletion of the building for the National Homeopathic Hospital Associ­ Mr. SAWYER submitted the following report: ation of Washington, D. C., $5,000; and all these items the House has The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two ra.,uses on agreed to. the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H. R. &163) granting a pension,to Mrs. The Senate increased the item for current work on county road~ and Hannah Babb Hutchins, having met, after full and free conference have agreed to recommend and do recommend to their respective Houses as follows: That suburban streets from $40,000 to $50,000, and in conference the increase the Senate recede from its amendment. has been yielded, leaving the amount $40,000 as provided by the House H. W. BLAIR, bill. PHILETUS SAWYER, W. C. WHITT.I'IORNE, The Senate inserted a new item for opening and extending suburban J,[anagers on the part ofthe Senate. streets $40,000, and it has yielded $10,000 of that, leaving the amount EDWIN B. WINANS, $30,000 as finally agreed upon. W. P. TAULBEE, The Senate diminished the amount appropriated for the purpose of MARTIN M. HAYNES, illuminating the cityfrom $107,000 to $100,000,and reduced the price Managers on the paJ-t of tluJ House. to be paid by the Government from $22 a lamp to $20 a lamp. The The report was concurred in. Honse had inserted an item of$5,000for the us~ of electric lighting in ADDIE L. MACOMBER. the city, to be taken out of the sum of $107,000 appropriated for illu­ l\Ir. SAWYER submitted the following report: minating purposes generally. The Senate increased that to $10,000, and The committee of conference on the disagreeing votes of the two Houses on the House has agreed to it. the amendment of the Senate to the bill (H. R. 1462) granting a pension to Addie Mr. CHACE. Ten thousand is deducted? L. Macomber, having met, after full and free conference have · agreed to recom­ is mend and do recommend to their respective Houses as follows: That the Sen­ Mr. PLUMB. The $10,000 to be deducted from the $100,000. ate recede from its amendment. The Senate increased the number of privates on the police force of H. W. BLAIR. class 1 from one hundred and five to one hundred and ten. The Honse l>IDLETUS SAWYER, objecting, the Senate has receded. W. 0. WHITTHORNE, The Senate added to the pay of the drivera of patrol-wagons $60 Managers on the part of the Senate. a EDWIN B. WINANS, year, to which the Honse has agreed. W. P. TAUIAJEE, The Senate added $1,000 to the $10,000 provided by the Honse for MARTIN 1\I. HAYNES, the miscepaneons expenses in regard to the prevention and detection Managel"S on the part of the House. of crime, and the Honse has agreed to that. The report was concurred in. One pumping-engine inserted. by the Senate in the item under the AMENDl\IENT TO SUNDRY CIVIL BILL. fire department was disagreed to by the House, and the Senate con­ Mr. McMILLAN (in behalf of Mr. SABIN) submitted an amendment ferees have yielded that. intended to be proposed to the sundry civil appropriation bill; which The Senate added an item of $7,500 for the purpose of laying under was referred to the Committee on Fisheries, and ordered to be printed. ground the wires of the telegraph and telephone service. The House objecting, the Senate has receded from that. I was very sorry myself RECESS. to recede, but it seemed to be necessary in order to save the bill. Mr. ALLISON. I move that at 6 o'clock the Senate take a recess The Senate added $500 to the item for the teachers of night schools. until8. The House has agreed to that. Mr. PLUMB. I hope the Senator will withdraw that motionforthe The Senate added $5,000 to the item for repairs and improvements of present. school buildings and grounds~ The House refused to consent, and the Mr. ALLISON. I will say to the Senator that I shall not ask the Senate has receded. The Senate added $25,000 to the item for build­ Senate to complete the legislative appropriation bill to-night. I hope ings for schools, and it was finally compromised at $50,000, upon the that by a night session we can get through the bill in Committee of the ground that a bill which is pending in the Honse, and will pass it is Whole so as to report it to the Senate, and then proceed with it to-mor­ stated next week, will provide for the sale of about $90,000 worth of row in the Senate. the property of the District, the proceeds of which are to be applied in Mr. BUTLER. Before that motion is acted on, I should be very glad the construction of school-houses. to have a brief executive session for the purpose of the reference of some Mr. EDMUNDS. What is that property? nominations which have been received to-day. l\Ir. PLUMB. It is property located in various parts of the city, for Mr. ALLISON. We can have an executive session ten minutes be­ which the District has no use and which is ofnovalneexcept in a com­ fore the recess. I shall not object to it at ten minutes before G. mercial way. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Will the Senator from Iowa state his l\fr. EDMUNDS. Is there authority to the District commissioners motion again? to sell this property? · l\fr. ALLISON. I move that at 6 o' clock the Senate take a recess Mr. PLUMB. The District commissioners have no such authority; until8 p.m. but a bill is pending in the Honse which is expected to pass nextweek The question being put, a. division was called for. and has already passed the Senate. · Mr. HALE. We have been two days on this bill and ha.ve only got ltir. EDMUNDS. I only call attention to it because I have observed through thirty pages of the bill. Nobody can tell how long it will in the course of some years back that the United States and the District take. _ have frequently been disposing of a great deal of property, and then Mr. ALLISON. I think we can go through the bill in Committee turning around and buying at great rates other property to be devoted of the Whole by having a night session. to public uses, and therefore the disposition of any property the District The motion was agreed to; there being on a division-ayes 31, noes 8. in now bas ought to be very carefully guarded respect of the selling LEGISL ATIVE, ETC., APPROPRIATION BILL. anything that can be used for the purpose, because it is a loss every time. The Senate, as in Committee of the Whole, resumed the considera­ Mr. PLUMB. That is a matter which will come before the Com­ tion of the bill (H. R. 8974) making appropropriutions for the legislative, mittee on the District of Columbia, which I have no doubt is well ad­ executive, and judicial expenses of the Government for the fiscal year vised as to everything tbat is material. ending June 30, 1887, and for other purposes. The Senate added $15,000 to the item of$65,000 for laying the new The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the water-mains, &c. The amount is agreed upon in conference at $75,000. Committee on Appropriations was in the appropriations for the office That, Mr. President, embraces all the items covering an appropria­ of "Trea.su.rer," in line 818, before the word ''clerks," to strike out tion of money that are of any account contained in this bill. ''five,'' and insert ''ten;'' so as to read: The PRESIDING PFFICER (Mr. PALMER in the chair). The ques­ Ten clerks, at $1,000 each. tion is, Will the Senate agree to the report of the committee on the bill l\fr. EDMUNDS. I should like to inquire of the chairman of the making appropriations for the District of Columbia. committee whether these one-thousand-dollar clerks, which do not fall The report was concurred in. within the four regular classes of clerks, are to be appointed according to 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 0FFI.CE OF THE SECRETARY, the provisions of existing law·under the civii-service statute, or whether Washington, D. C., J1J.ne19, 1886. they fall outside of it. Sm: I have the honor to ask that your committee will make the following :Mr . .ALLISON. These ten clerks and the fifty-five ~t $900 in the runendm.ents in the appropriation for the Bureau of St~tistics of this. Depart~nt next line fall within the civil-service rules. . in Honse bill8974, which has just passed the House of.Representatives, makrng M"r. EDMUNDS. There is no mistake about that? appropriations for the legislative, executiv:e, and judicial expenses pf the Gov­ ernment, &c., for the next fiscal year, to Wit: 1\Ir. ALLISON. No mistake about it. I will say to the Senator that Strike out all after. the word "each," in line 856, to the end of line 870 and in­ these ten clerks are now employed there and so are the fifty-five clerks. sert the following: The Treasurer of the United States desires that they shall continue to "Two copyists, at $900 each; three copyists, at $8(0 ea.ch; one messenger; one assistant messenger; one lab<>rer; one female lab<>rer, at $480; in all $t6,420." be employed. It is not in accord with the scheme suggested by the This will leave the appropriation substantially as for the current fiscal year. House. The Chief of the Bureau of Statistics informs me that he has found that the The amendment was agreed to. present force is required to properly perform the work devolving upon the bureau. The next amendment of the Committee on Appropriations was in Very respectfully, line 819, before the word "clerks," to strike out "sixty" and insert C. S. FAIRCHILD"" "fifty-five;" so as to read: . . Acting Secrew.ry. Hon. WILLIAM B. ALLISON, Fifty·five clerks, at 8900 each. Cha.irmru~ Senate CommitUc on .Appropriations. The amendment was agreed to. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on the amendment The next amendment was in line 821, after the word "each," to in- of the Committee on Appropriations. sert: The amendment was agreed to. One mail-messenger, Sl,OOO. The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the Mr. EDl\IUNDS. Is that a new officer? Committee on Appropriations was, after the word "messenger," at the Mr. ALLISON. No; it is simply to desjgnate one messenger in the end of line 899, to strike out " two laborers " and insert "one assist­ Treasurer's office as a confidential mail-messenger for money packages. ant messenger; one laborer." The amendment was agreed to. The amendment was agreed to. The next amendment of the Committee on App.ropriations was in Mr. PLATT. Going back a little way, without reference to an line 822. before the word "messengers," to strike out "seven" and amendment, I should like an explanation of why it is that additional employes in the office of the Light-House Board a:re required to the insert c(six;" so as to read: Six messengers. amount of $19,700, and whether those are really additional employes, or whether it is some different way of paying the employes that have The amendment was agreed to. been in the light-house service? The next amendment was in line 825, after the word " eaeh," to in­ Mr. ALLISON. Until twoorthreeyea.rsagothe entire expenseofthe sert: serviceoftheLight-House Board was paid from the appropriations made One composit<>r and pressman, at $3.20 per day. for light-houses; but in 1882, for the first time I believe, all these appro­ Mr. EDMUNDS. What are these pressmen? Have they a printing priations were drawn in and made specific. It was found, however, that office in the Treasurer's office? the enactment of laws providing for new light-houses made it abso­ Mr. ALLISON. They have a small press there. When bonds come lutely impossible to have a fixed force, so that we were obliged to pro­ in to be redeemed, for example, they print upon them. the fact of their vide an additional force to cover the new light-houses that might be redemption or the fact of their transfer, and it is done by a printing erected from time to time; and that is the intention of this provisjon. press. Then under the old rule the greenbacks were entirely finished The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the in the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, but the new Treasurer has Committee on Appropriations was, after the word ''all, 1, at the end of established a rule that the seal shall be put on in the Treasurer's of­ line 901, to strike out "forty-four thousand two hundred" and insert fice, which I think is a good check. "forty-six thousand;" so as to make the clause read: Mr. EDMUNDS. Thatwasrecommended by acommitteeofinvesti­ Bureau of Statistics: For the officer in charge of the Bureau of Statistics, $3,000; chiefclerk,$2,000; fourclerksofclass4; fourclerksofclass3; fiveclerks gation many years ago. of class 2; nine clerks of class 1; three clerks, at $1,000 each; two copyists, at $900 Mr. .ALLISON. But it was never adopted until the present Treas­ each; three copyists, at S720 each; one messenger; one assistant messenger; urer came in, I believe. The last print of the United States notes is one laborer; <>ne female laborer, at $480; in all, $46,060. made in the Treasurer's Office. The amendment was agreed to. The amendment was agreed to. The next amendment was, in the appropriations for "office of con­ The reading of the bill was resumed. struction of standard weights and measures,'' in line 97 4, after the The next amendment of the Committee on Appropriations was, in line word "adjuster," to strike out "and mechanician; " in line 975, after 829, to increase the total amount of the appropriations for compensa­ the word "day," to insert "one mechanician, at $4 per day;" in line tion of the Treasurer of the United States, assistant treasurer, cashiers, 976, after the word ''one,' 1 to strike out ''laborer'' and insert ''watch­ and clerks and employes in the Treasurer's Office from $271,200 to man;" and in the £arne line, after the word "all," to strike out "two $272,861.60. thousand two hundred and twenty-five " and insert "three thousand The amendment was agreed to. 41 five hundred and thirty-seven;" so as to make the clause read: The next amendment was, in the appropriationsfor Bureau of Sta­ Office of construction of standard weights and measures : For eonstruction tistics," in line 897, after the word "each," to insert "two copyists at and verification of standard weights and measures, including metric standards, $900 each.'' for the custom-houses, other offices <>f the United States, and for the several States, and mural standards of length in Washington, D. C., the following, Mr. EDMUNDS. Is that an increase of force, or a restoration of while actnally employed, namely: One adjuster, at $5 per day; one mechani­ what has been heretofore the number? cian, at $4 per day; and one watchman; in all $3,537. Mr. ALLISON. The amendment in lines 897 and 898 to insert The amendment was agreed to. . . "two copyists at $900 each" was put in on the urgent request of the The next amendment was, in line 985, before the word "six," to head of the Bureau of Statistics and ofthe Secretary of the Treasury, strike out "the sum of;" and in line 986, after the word "necessary," and it is exactly the existing force. to strike out: Mr. EDMUNDS. That is t-o say the House bill has undertaken to Appropriated by the act of March 3, 1885, for this object for the fiscal year 1886, reaeh a measure of economy which the administration can not stand. is hereby reappropriated and made available for like purpose for the fiscal year Mr. .ALLISON. So they inform us in the letters which will be found ending June 30, 1887. on pages 22 and 23 of the report of the committee. So as to make the clause read: 1t1r. EDMUNDS. That is what I wanted to get at. For expenses of the attendance of the American member of the international Mr. .ALLISON. I ask that the letter of the Chief of the Bureau of committee on weights and measures at the general conference provided for in the convention signed .May 20, 1875, ~. or so much thereof o.s may be neces- Statistics and the letter of the Secretary of the Treasury be inserted in sary. . the RECORD. The PRESIDING OFFICER. In the absence of objection the let­ · The amendment was agreed to. ters will be so inserted. The next amendment was, in the appropriations "for contingent ex­ The letters are as follows: penses of the Treasury Department," in line 1052, after the word ''tel­ egrams,'' to insert ''and; '' and in line 1053, after the word ''service,', TREASURY DEPA.RTliiiD\'T, BUREAU OF STATISTICS, Washington, D. C., J11.ne 19, 1886. to strike out "and car tickets;" so as to read: To the Senate Subcommittee on Appropriations: For freight, expressage, telegrams, and telephone service, $3,1>00. Learning you would hold a. session to-da.y at 11 o'clock, and also that you did The amendment was agreed to. not desire your deliberations interruptt:d by personal calls from anybody, I write to say that at your earliest convenience I desire to be heard for a few moments The next amendment was, in the appropriations for "collecting in­ in regard to the section of the House appropriation bill which relates t<> this bu­ ternal revenue," in line 1097, after the word "increased," to strike out I'eau. "in the aggregate;" and in line 1098, after the word "year," to strike His quite important, I think, that I have the opportunity to suggest two or three amendments which by inadvertence, perhaps, were not adopted by the out the following proviso: llouse committee. Pl"ovide.d further, That no part of the money herein appr<>priated shall be paid Respectfully, to collectors of internal revenue except the aUowances provided for in section Wl!I. F . SWITZLER. 12 of the act of February 8, 1875, as amended by section 2 of the act of March 1, Chief of Bureau. 1879. 6328 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30, .·

So as to make the clause read: require. It is for the Senate to say whether they will voluntarily come For salaries and expenses of collectors and deputy collectors, &1, 800, 000: Pro- forward and give an officer of the Government $250,000 more than h.e 11ided That the number of deputy collectors, gaugers, storekeepers~,and clerks would requir~ if his bureau were run upon the same scale of expendi­ empl~yed in the collection of internal reven~e shall not be increasea, n?r sh~ll the salary of said officers a.nd employes be mcreased beyond the salar1es paid tures as heretofore; and for a still stronger reason I am unwilling to during the last fiscal year. do it in the face of the declaration that he has diminished nine hun­ The amendment was agreed to. . . , , . . . dred and twenty-six of his officials, and therefore lowered the ex­ Thenextamendmentwas, in line 1107, to stnke out one million nme penses of his Department. hundred" and insert "two million and fifty;" so as to make the clause I do not wish to see intrusted into the hands of any man this vast read: • amount of money which he can spend at his discretion unres~ed by For salaries and expenses of agents and suryeyors, for fees and expenses of law forthe purpose of paying spies and informers and thatkmd of cat­ gaugers, for salaries of storekeepers, and for mJScellaneous expenses, 52,050,000. tle to worry the people of this country; and that is the real object of this whole business. Mr. VANCE. I should like to ask the chairman of the co~mittee '!'he PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment will be considered the reasons for increasing this item over and above that which the as agreed to unless there is objection. House provided. Mr. V .ANCE. There is objection. Mr. ALLISON. I will say to the Senator th~t the r~ons will.be Mr. COCKRELL. I hope the amendment will be agreed to not­ found stated in detail in the report of the committee, bemg embodied withstanding the objection. There is an absolute necessity fo7 the in a letter addressed to the oommittee by the Commissioner of Internal honest administration of the Office of Internal Revenue that thiS ap­ Revenue in which he states that this sum is necessary in order to ena­ propriation shall be made. The Commissioner of Internal Revenue is ble him to collect the revenue from whisky, tobaeco, &c. If the Sen­ conducting, in my judgment, his bur.eau W:ith ener~ and success and ator will turn to page 24 of the report he will see the statement of the honestly and economically, and I thmk Will make 1t very suceessful; Commissioner of Internal Revenue. . and it will not do to deprive him of the legitimate, necessary, and Mr. VANCE. I have not the report before me, but !nave a letter proper means for administering his office. from the Commissioner of Internal Uevenue in which he makes the fig­ Mr. VANCE. I should like to ask the Senator if it is not possible ures entirely different and that letter as I am informed was not before for the Commissioner of Internal Revenue to execute his office faith­ the committee of the Home. It was written and addressed to the chair­ fully and honestly and successfully without giving him more money man of that committee after the bill had been reported by that com­ than is called for and without giving him more money than he can mittee and was in the House. I gather fram the official reports that spend according to what experience has shown in the past. the amount appropriated for this item of expenditure for the fiscal year Mr. COCKRELL. That is an evasion of the question. The Senator ending June 30, 1885, was the same that is now asked for, to ~i~, $2,- from Iowa has read to the Senator from North Carolina a plain and 100 000 and that the amount expended under that appropnation of unequivocal statement of the Commissioner that this increase is nee- $2 iw 000 during that fiscal year was $1,963,000 and a fraction, leav­ essary. · ing a clear unexpended balance of $136,472; and the Commissioner Mr. V A.NCE. He has not read any such statement. He said the reports that in the over~auling ~f this Department he has ~anage~ to moral effect of it would be very good, but he did not say that it was dispense with the semces of nme hundred and twenty-su: offiCial~, necess.1.ry t{) enable him to run the Internal Revenue Bureau. which would make the expenditure necessarily still less, and the ex­ Mr. COCKRELL. I should suppose the Senator would want the cess of the appropriation still greater over the exJ?Cnd~ture. moral effect. . For the year ending the 30th June, 1886, wh1ch IS to-day, the ex­ Mr. VANCE. I want the simple moral effect produced by an officer penditures for the first three quarters that have been computed ~ the performing his duty within the limits and at the expense prescribed by Commissioner's department amounted to $1,359,000, and the estimate law, and nothing else, and I suppose, however good the present Co~­ made but a few days ago for the remaining quarter, which ends to-day, missioner of Internal Revenue is, he can as successfully operate hiS is $490,000, making the total expenditure $1,849,000-$201,000 less bureau within the limits prescribed and defined by law as any other than the appropriation for this fiscal year, and $251,000 less than the officer of the Government who is limited. ll.ppropriation for the last fiscal year, which was not spent by $136,000 Mr. D.A WES. Suppose that another whisky rebellion should unex­ md a fraction. pectedly spring up in Massachusetts and the Commissioner of Internal is Now, sir, whnt the use of increasing in this body an appropriation Revenue has no moneyiu the world beyond hiscnrrentexpensesto u~­ to the extent of two hundred and odd thousand dollars more than the dertake to enforce the law in Massachusetts, what would be the condi­ '{)ommissioner of Internal Revenue will in all probability want? tion of things ? Mr. ALLISON. Now, will the Senator allow me to hav~ the Com­ Mr. VANCE. I do not understand that the Commissioner of Inter­ ·rnissioner himself answer that query? I read now from his letter to nal Revenue is thechiefoftheA.rmy andNavyofthe United States, who \he Senate Committee on .Appropriations: would have command ·of the force to suppress a rebellion in Massachu­ The amount appropriated for the said year ending the 30th instant was 82,100,· nndersta~d Cons~tution 1)00 While the amount thllB expended during the present fiscal year has by setts. Perhaps he would; but I do. not so the eco"nomy been kept down to the sum of $1,849,09~ above.stated, and ~bile I pro­ of the United States. I supposed It to be the President's busmess to pose to use my best endeavor to fu~ther. econo~ze dup;11g t~e commg year as put down rebellion; and it would give me great pleasnr~to voluntee~ to rar as the true interests of the serv1ce w11l permit, yet1tls desll'8.ble that the en­ forcement of the law should not be obstructed by a want of funds for that pur­ go there and return the comJ?liments that hav~ been pa1~ to ~y section pose· and as the moral effect upon those inclined to violate the law of a belief of the country if the necessity should ever anse. I thmk m the elo­ on their part that the office has been crippled by a failure to appropriate suffi­ quent langnng~ of the Se~ato~ fr~m Missouri that ~hat is an evasion of cient moneys to carry out its provision~ i~ bad, I respectf~llY. beg you to ~uge IS upon the Senate Committee on AppropriatiOns the restoration m the above1tem the question. The question simply whether this officer shall have of t.be sum of $150,000 at least, this making it the same sum reported by the more money than he shows that he needs, that he shall have a surplus House committee. · at all times lying at his disposal to be used athisdiscretion, orwhet~er Mr. V .ANCE. What is the date of that letter? he shall run his office like all other officers of the Government, run theiiS Mr. ALLISON. Thisisofveryrecentdate, "Washington, June 21, upon the amount given to him by law. 1886." It is a later date, I will say to the Senator, than the letter The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on the amendment. from which he read. The amendment was agreed to. Mr. VANCE. Yes, sir; this is dated the 14th; but I respectfully :Mr. ALLISON. I ask unanimous consent to have the letter of the submit that the reason assigned by the Commissioner and adopted by Commissioner of Internal Revenue inserted in the RECORD in full. the committee is not a good one. The idea that the Bureau of In­ The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Reporter will see to that. ternal Revenue is going to be crippled by failing to give it $250,000 The letter is as follows: more than it ever had spent heretofore is something that I can not con­ TREASURY DEPARTHEli"T, OFFICE OF INTERNAL REVENUE, ceive of as entering into the mind of any person inclined to violate the • Washington, June 21, 1886. law for heretofore it has failed, as these figures show, by $136,000 to Sm: With regard to that portion of the legisJa:tive, &c;, appropt:iation relat­ ing to internal revenue, to which you referred ~Ius mornmg, the b1ll9:s pa~.sed spe~d all that was then appropriated, and I suppose in the mean time by the House and referred to the Senate comm1ttee (see page 4.4) proVIdes for that no efforts to repress frauds upon the revenue were spared for want salaries and expenses of agents, &c., $1,900,000." of funds. I can not see the propriety of the policy of putting this great This is a reduction made on the floor of the House of Sl50,000from the amount as reported by the House Appropriations Committee, which w as $2,050,000. Th.e amount of money into the hands of any officer of the Government to amounnt wllich was recommended by the Secretary of the Treasury for th1s spend in his discretion. . item was $2,100,000. · b d h" f1 Mr. ALLISON. Let me ask the Senator, does he not :find that the The reduction from the amount reported by the comm1ttc;e was. ase c 1e Y upon a statement from this office, showing that the expenditures m that behalf present Commissioner of Internal Revenue has wisely exercised this for the year ending June 30, instant, were- discretion during the present fiscal year? For the first three quarters of the same ...... 81,359,098 :h1r. VANCE. With reasonable wisdom, yes, sir. And for the last quarter (estimated)...... 4.90,000 Mr. ALLISON. Now is the Senator unwilling to intrust him and the Secretary of the Treasury for anothe~ year? . . Total...... •...... 1, 84:9,098 Mr. VANCE. I am willing to trust h1m for another year by g~vrng The amount appropriated for the said year ending the 30th instant was $2,100,- him the amount of money that experience has demonstrated is neces­ 000. While the amount thus expended during the present fiscal ye~r has by economy been kept down to the sum of Sl,&l9,09~above ~tated, and '_Vhtle I pro­ sary. I am not willinO' to give him or any other man control of more pose to llBe my best endeavor to further econom1ze durmg the commg year, ns money than he needs 'ktd more money than his legitimate purposes far as the true interests of the service will permit, yet it is desirable that the en- 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECQRD-SE~ATE. 6329

forcement of the law should not be obstructed by a want of funds for that pur­ executive, and judicial expenses of the Government for the fiscal year pose; and as the moral effect upon those inclined to violate the law of a belief on their part that the office has been crippled by a failure t-o appropriate suffi­ ending June 30, 1887, and for other purposes. , cient moneys to carry out its provisions is bad, I respectfully beg you to urge Mr. HALE. Let the cases of salaries of a-ssistant treasurers be upon the Senate Committee on Appropriations the restoration in the above item passed over. That was the understanding. of the stun of$150,000 at least, this making it the same sum reported by the House oommittee. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Chair hears no objection, and I desire to say further that the estimate of the Secretary of the Treasury was that will be done. based upon the expenditure for the year endingJune30,1885, which wo.sS1,963,­ The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the fi27.41. You will see by this that the sum as appropriated by the House would Committee on Appropriations was, in line 1118, to increase the total fall short over ~.000 should the expenses of the coming year be as great as for the fiscal year 1885. · appropriation for "office of assis~nt treasurer at Baltimore " from The law compels the appointment and assignment of officers of the class of $21,100 to $21,600. gaugers and storekeepers sufficient in number to enable the distillers to carry on their business in accordance with the provisions of law. The number of dis­ Mr. HALE. That is the same thing. It goes over. tillers, especially of fruit brandies, and their production fluctuate considerably, The PRESIDENT pro tempore. Is that to be passed over? and under the requirements of the law a deficiency would occur in case the Mr. ALLISON. It was decided that all these amendments relating coming year should bring a large increase of distillation, which is highly proba­ ble. to subtreasuries should be passed over. 1 The encouragement of lawful distillation and the suppression of frauds against The next amendment of the Committee on Appropriations was, in the internal-revenue are sufficient reasons in my mind why the sum allowed in lines 1121 and 1122, to increase the salary of the assistant treasurer at the above-mentioned item should not be limited to the amount appropdated by the bill as it passed the House. Boston from $4,500 to $5,000. · Let me add that if the bill taxing oleomargarine should pass, it would add Mr. HALE. That is to be passed over the same as the preceding an expense that would greatly enhance the necessity for a larger margin in this amendments. item. Very respectfully, The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The amendment will be passed over. JOS. S. MILLER, The reading of the bill was resumed. 1 Commissioner. The next amendment of the Committee on Appropriations was, in 0RA.IRHAN CoHXITrEE ON APPROPRIATIONS. line 1130, to correct the spelling of the word "coupon." The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the The amendment was agreed to. Committee on Appropriations was, under the head of "Independent The next amendment was to increase the total appropriation for the Treasury," in line 1111, after the word "thousand," to insert "five ''office of the assistant treasurer at Boston'' from $35,560 to $36,060. hundred;" so as to read: The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The amendment will be passed over. Office of assistant treasurer at Baltimore: For assistant treasurer,$4,500. Ur. ALLISON. That is the total, and it had better be passed over. Mr. PLATT. I wish to ask the chairman of the committee to ex­ Mr. HARRIS. The total will go with the items necessarily. plain the increase in this item; and w bile he is about that I might as :Mr. ALLISON. We shall come back to these amendments. well call his attention to other items of increase in the case of assistant The reading of the bill was resumed. treasurers. The next amendment of the Committee on Appropriations was, in the Mr. HARRISON. I was just going to make a suggestion. This is appropriation for" office of assistant treasurer at New York," in line only one of several cases where the House has fixed salaries in the bill 1175, after the word "dollars," to insert: and the Appropriations Committee have reported an increase. These Assistant cashier and vault-clerk, $3,200. provisions will give rise to perhaps quite extended debate, and I was The amendment was agreed to. . going to ask unanimous consent that this and the others of like kind The next amendment was, in line 1205, to increase the total amount be passed over for the present to be considered when the Senate is of the appropriations for '' office of the assistant treasurer at New York '' fuller. from $165,290 to $168,490. Mr. PLUltffi. Until to-morrow morning? The amendment was agreed to. Mr. HALE. Until to-morrow morning. The next amendment was, in line 1227, to increase theappropl'iation Mr. PLATT. I should like to say before that is done that I notice for the salary of the assistant treasurer at Saint Louis from $4,000 to what I do not understand, that the House leaves the salary of the as­ $4,500. sistant treasurer at Philadelphia at $4,500, the same as the Senate com­ Mr. HALE. Let that go over. mittee proposes to have the assistant treasurers at Baltimore and Boston The PRESIDENT pro tmnpore. The amendment will be passed over. and Saint Louis and San Francisco. They do not seem to have put The reading of the bill was resumed. 'Ule next amendment of the that at $4,000 as they did the others. Committee on Appropriations was, in line 1234, to increase the total Mr. HALE. The committee left it just as it was before. appropriations for "office of assistant treasurer at Saint Louis" from Mr. .ALLISON. I will say to the Senate that all these salaries as $15,360 to $15,860. here provided for, I believe, are below the salaries authorized by law. Mr. ALLISON. That will go over, being a total. Mr. INGALLS. Let us understand that. Does the Senator mean The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The amendment will be passed over. below the amount fixed in the statute defining their salaries or below The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the the amount that has been fix~d in the appropriation bills enacted since Committee on Appropriations was in line 1237 to increase the appro-. the adoption of that statute? priation for salary of the assistant treasurer at San Francisco from Mr. ALLISON. I mean to saythattbestatutorycompensationout­ $4,500 to $5,000. aide the appropriation bills is more than is provided in this bill as Mr. ALLISON. That is to be passed over. amended by the Senate committee; but the amendments with reference The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The amendment goes over. to these assistant treasurers cover the salary provided for in the appro­ The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the priation bill for the current fiscal year, and the House provisions are Committee on Appropriations was, in line 1246, to increase the total ap· below the salaries of the current year. The salary at Philadelphia to propriation for the ''office of assistant treasurer at San Francisco" from 1 which the Senator from Connecticut calls attention is precisely in this $27,120 to $27,620. bill as it came from the House as provided for the current year. The PRESIDENT pro tempore. This amendment, beingatotal, goes Mr. HALE. That is one of the cases that the House did not cut over with the others. . down. The Chief Clerk resumed the reading of the bill, and read lines 1272 Mr. ALLISON. The House did not cut down the Philadelphia as­ and 1273, under the appropriations for the mint at Philadelphia, as fol· sistant treasUl'er for some reason, I do not know what. I suppose the Philadelphia assistant treasurer is a pretty important officer, and was lows: regarded by the committee of the House as more important than the For wages of workmen and adjusters, $293,000. a!!Sistan t treasurer at Boston. Mr. EDMUNDS. The Secretary has just read on page 52, lines 1272 · Mr. PLATT. I have no objection to its being passed over. and 1273, "for wages of workmen and adjusters, $293,000," at the. Mr. ALLISON. I agreed with the Senator from South Carolina that mint in Philadelphia., and there is an additional item for incidental at ten minutes before 6 I would move an executive session, in order expenses, &c. I should like to have that -explained a little. What that there might be some references made. I now move that the Sen­ does that mean? What is the money appropriated for, what do these. ate proceed to the consideration of executive business. people do, how many are there, anti so on? The motion was agreed to; and the Senate proceeded to the consid­ Mr. ALLISON. I can not give in a moment the number of persons eration of executive business. After ten minutes spent in executive ses­ employed. sion the doors were reopened, and (at 6 o'clock p. m.) the Senate took M:r. HALE. The number is 231. I have a memorandum on my copy a recess until 8 o'clock p. m. of the bill. Mr. ALLISON. There are 231 persons employed in all. These are EVENING SESSION. the people who are engaged in the coinage of gold and silver. The' amount appropriated here is what was appropriated last year for the The Senate reassembled at 8 o'clock p. m. present fiscal year. The Secretary of the Treasury, however, recom·. LEGISLATIVE, ETC., .APPROPRIATION BILL. mended in the estimates $360,000, as he recommended additional sums Mr. ALLISON. I ask that the appropriation bill be proceeded with. at the various mints. The Senate, as in Committee of the 'Vhole, resumed the considera­ Mr. EDMUNDS. Can the chairman refer us to the page of the es·1 tion of the bill (H. R. 8974) making appropriations for the legislative, timates? 6330 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30,

Mr. ALLISON. Page 33. ~fr. ALLISON. They are not at liberty to take any amount they Mr. EDMUNDS. I wish the chairman would restate how much in­ choose. Of course the law requires, as I understand it, that $24,000,000 crease of salary is proposed. shall be coined each year, that $2,000,000 worth of silver shall be coined Mr. ALLISON. The amount appropriated during the present year each month. We make annual appropriations for the payment of ad­ is $293,000. The Secretary of the Treasury estimates for the next fiscal justers and workmen. If that appropriation falls short in any way in year $360,000, as I remember. sustaining the coinage of gold and silver together, whatever shortage Mr. TELLER. You mean for the fiscal year 1887? there is is taken from year to year out of the seigniorage, or the differ­ ~fr. ALLISON. For the fiscal year 1887 he recommends an increase ence between the price ofsilver bullion and the value of coin. of this appropriation. The reason for that seems to be that the cost of Mr. EDMUNDS. Is that done according to law or without law? coinage at Philadelphia is in excess of the amount appropriated for the Mr. TELLER. By virtue oflaw. current year. But the House Committee on Appropriations and the Mr. ALLISON. That I think is in accordance with law, as I con­ House of Representatives, if I may be permitted to speak of the House strue it. in this matter, knowing that the silver-coinage fund known as the Mr. EDMUNDS. Ah, yes. seigniorage fund under the law of 1878 could be brought in to supple­ Mr. ALLISON. I think the law of 1878 makes a permanent appro­ ment whatever deficiency there might be, fixed the appropriation in priation. this particular item at the amount appropriated last year. So I will Mr. TELLER. Of the total seigniorage? say to my friend the Senator from Vermont that the amount expended Mr. ALLISON. No, sir; ofwhateverisnecessary. Thelawof1878 for wages of the workmen will far exceed the amount appropriated in makes a permanent appropriation of whatever is necessary to coin this bill, as is perfectly well known to us all, and the Secretary of the twenty-four million dollars' worth of bullion per annnm, and if there Treasury estimated I have no doubt very nearly the actual amount was not a dollar appropriated for the expense of the silver coinage that needed at the Philadelphia mint. expense could be taken out of the difference between the cost of the ~.EDMUNDS. But I see in the estimates submitted by the ex­ bullion and the value of the silver dollars. ecutive authority of the United States according to law that the coin Mr. EDMUNDS. You say that is the act of 1878? hitherto devoted to those objects, which would appear to have been Mr. ALLISON. That is the act of 1878. I have no doubt of that. very thoroughly carried out, by piling up in the basement of the Treas­ I understand that in some directions it has been claimed that unless we ury here and elsewhere an immense ballast of silver, which will, I hope, made a specific and special appropriation for this coinage it could not keep the Treasury from tumbling over-- be made from year to year. I do not so understand the law. Mr. ALLISON. I hope so, and think it will. Mr. TELLER. The claim was that we should make a specific appro­ Mr. EDMUNDS. I should think so. It never will go anywhere priation to buy the silver. That is the claim as I understand it which else, for nobody wants it. was made last year. ~.TELLER. It will not injure the Government, whatever the Mr. ALLISON. This was several years ago. 'amount. 11'Ir. TELLER. It seems to me that that is an extremely loose way Mr. EDMUNDS. It will not injure it! It is a good thing, and will of doing business. If the Treasury Department may take whatever not rust; a most excellent ballast. they may see fit, if they may supplement what is appropriated by any Mr. TELLER. And we always know where it is. amount they may choose, provided they makeitoutofthe seigniorage, Mr. EDMUNDS. We always know where it is; we are absolutely Congress has no control whatever over the expenditures of that Depart­ sure of that. Two hundred and ninety-three thousand dollars was ment. If that is the law of course I have nothing to say about it; but given under the previous administration. Now, this economic andre­ it seems to me unless it is a very plain provision of the statute that it form administration, and so on, submits a provision to give them on ought not to be allowed. this thirty-third page of their estimates $67,000 more, which is an in­ I :find in this little statement by the committee that the estimate of crease of about 25 per cent. over the previous appropriations and ex­ the requirements of the mint at Philadelphia was $531,550, and that penditures. the appropriation is $434,550, being nearly $100,000 short, and of course So, as the chairman has said, the appropriation is to be increased they may take tho whole of that $100,000 if they see fit to do so from from $293,000, heretofore appropriated and expended, to $360,000; and the seigniorage of silver. • the explanation of the chairman, so lucid and clear, as it always is, Mr. ALLISON. They may if they coin silver dollars. seems to show simply that the Secretary of the Treasury wants the ~fr. TELLER. They do coin them. means of employing more workmen and more adjusters at the same old Mr. ALLISON. They have got to coin them somewhere, and I think prices that were paid to them, which are supposed to be fair, in order it is perfectly clear that under the act of 1878 whatever sum of money to do what? And that "what" I have not been able to understand is necessary to coin 524,000,000 worth of silver per annum is appro­ · from the explanation of the chairman or from these estimates. Is it priated by that act. to put more coin into the basements of the buildings, or what is it for? Mr. EDMUNDS. The language of the act of 28th February, 1878, Mr. ALLISON. No, sir; itistocoin the gold and silvercoinsofthe to be found in the twentieth volume of the statutes, page 25, is this United States authorized by law, which have belm coined and which on this topic: • will of conTSe continue to be coined, the gold coin as it is presented at And the Secretn.ry of the Treasury is authorized and directed to purchase, the mint, and the silver in accordance with the law of 1878. from. time to time, silver bullion, at the market price thereof, not less than l,t2,- ~Ir. EDMUNDS. Has there been any failure hitherto in respect of 000,000 worth per month, nor more than $1,000,000 worth per month, and cause the same to be coined monthly, as fast as so purchased, into such dollars; and that coinage? a. sum sufficient to carry out the foregoing provision of this act is hereby ap­ Mr. ALLISON. There has been no failure hitherto, although the propriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. appropriation of last year and of previous years has fallen short of the actual amount expended in the coinage of gold and silver; but wher­ Now that relates solely to the silver dollar; it has nothing to do with eYer there has been a deficiency it has been drawn from the silver fund, the gold coinage nor anything else, and how therefore my friend from so called, under the ~lCt of 1878. Iowa can maintain that the profit got from the seigniorage, which ap­ ~fr. EDMUNDS. That is, the seigniorage? pears in a later paragraph in the act, as follows: ?tfr. ALLISON. The seigniorage, being the c:lliferen.ce between the And any gain or seigniorage arising from this coinage shall be accounted for price of silver bullion and the silver coin. and paid into the Treasury, as provided under existing laws relative to the sub- · Mr. EDUUNDS. What is to become of the seigniorage now? That sidiary coinage- will be used in the same way, of course. Can be used to supply any deficiency in the steady appropriation bills Mr. ALLISON. It will be used in the same way, undoubtedly. of sums like the one in the paragraph we have now under consideration Mr. EDMUNDS. So that this makes a real increase of the appro­ I can not understand. The seigniorage is by this act expressly required priation for these objects that have been hitherto carried on well. to be paid into the Treasury. .Being paid into the Treasury, it can Mr. ALLISON. I would not say that it makes an incl:ease of appro­ not be paid out under the Constitution without an appropriation made priation. The Secretary of the Treasury recommended $360,000-­ by law. Mr. EDMUNDS. And that is what you give him. So I do not see exactly how the people who administer this law are Mr. ALLISON. We give him $293,000 and the balance, of course, taking from the seigniorage fund a sum of money to make up a defi­ he will take from the permanent appropriation, and he receives what ciency in what Congress has failed to appropriate to carryout the first he estimates for except that it will not appear as a part of the expendi­ part of the provision about the silver coinage, which has nothing at all tures of the year in the statements that will be made here and there to do with gold. about the cost of the Government. Mr. INGALLS. · I should like to inquire of the chairman of the com­ ?t1r. EDMUNDS. So that when we get to the end of it it will ap­ mittee whether as a matter of fact hitherto any deficiencies in this ap­ pear that this $360,000 that ho wants will have been expended out of propriation have been supplemented by draft upon the seigmorage fund one fund or another. in the Treasury of the United States, and if so, to what extent. Mr. ALLISON. I have no doubt of it. Mr. ALLISON. I will answer the Senator from Kansas by saying ?!fr. TELLER. I should like to ask the chairman of the committee that the committee considered this question of appropriating for the whether the Treasury authorities are at liberty to take any amount they 1\Iint. They sent to the Director of the Mint for a statement and I have. choose outoftheseiguiomge fund? If so, what is theobjectofmaking it before me. any appropriation at all? Mr. INGALLS. Have it read. 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. ·6331

Mr. ALLISON. I will send it to the desk and have it read, as I Mr. ED:UUNDS. That is to say, we make a dollar out·of that pro· omitted to insert it in the report of the committee. portion of silver that we buy? The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. PALMER in the chair). The paper Mr. SHERMAN. We pay in round terms now $1 for 480 grains of will be read. standard silver. We payoutas$1412! grains, and the difference is the The Chief Clerk read as follows: seigniorage. Mr. EDMUNDS. We stamp it, and we chargethecostofputtingit TREASURY DEP.ABTMENT, BUREAU OF THE MINT, Washington, D. 0., June 15,1886. into the form of a silver dollar and put it out at 412~ grains. Sm: In compliance with the request contained in your letter of the 14th in­ Mr. SHERMAN. It costs us a little over 1t cents on each coin. stant I inclose herewith a. statement exhibiting by fiscal years the expendHures Mr. EDMUNDS. So that we make on ea-ch dollar about how much? made from the appropriation for the coinage of standard 'silver dollars, con­ Mr. SHERM:AN. It varies with the I>rice of silver. We make now tained in the act of February 28, 1878. Very respectfully, · about 20 cents. JAMES P. KIMBALL, Mr. EDMUNDS. Do you call that an honest dollar? Di1·ecror of the .b!int. Mr. SHERMAN. I am not debating that question. Hon. WILLIAJil B. ALLisoN, Chairman O

Mr. ALLISON. The report of the Director of the Mint will show. Mr. ALLISON. It :fixes the salary of the governor at $3,000 and I do not see the Senator from North Carolina in his seat. The aRpro­ the salary of the judge at $3,000. priation for this office is the same as last year. Mr. EDMUNDS. So that the committee amendment appropriates Mr. EDMUNDS. .And the year before? the money that the law entitles these people to have? Mr. TELLER. It is the same as the estimates? Mr. ALLISON. Yes, sir. Mr. ALLISON. It is the same as the estimates. I do not remem­ Mr. EDMUNDS. Very well; if that is so I have nothing to say. ber the details. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Ifthere be no further objection the Mr. EDMUNDS. Can the chairman tell us if there is really any amendment will be considered agreed to. It is agreed to. amount of gold or silver coined in North Carolina? The reading of the bill was resumed, and the following clause was Mr. ALLISON. There is a considerable amount of gold coined there, read from line 1398 to line 14.03: brought from the mines of North Carolina and Georgia and that neigh­ Territory of Arizona: For salary of governor, $2,600; chief-justice and "two borhood. associate judges, at $3,000 each; secretary, Sl,SOO; interpreter and translator in Mr. EDMUNDS. But how much is coined or assayed alone in that the executive office, 8500; in all, $13,900. pJace? Ur. TELLER. If the committee because of a statute :tixi.ng the sal­ Mr. RANSOM. I was about to make a statement, but I see that ary of the governor of Alaska at $3,000 felt compelled to change the the Senator from Iowa is finding the statement in reference to the Honse bill on that item from $2,600 to $3,000, I should like to inquire amount of gold that is minted, if I may nse that expression, in Char­ of the chairman of the committee why they did not make the sami lotte. change as to other Territories? I find that the Revised Statutes pro­ Mr. ALLISON. In 1885 the amount of gold coined at the Charlotte vide in section 1845: assay office was $187,876.83; in 1884 it was $133,544.27, and a -very From and after the 1st day of July,l873, the annual salaries of the governol'll small amount of silver. It is chiefly gold. of the severo.l Territories shall be $3,500, and the salaries of the secretaries shall Mr. CHACE. It costs 4 per cent. then to assay it. be $2,500 each. Mr. ALLISON. I suppose the assay office at Charlotte is like a !understand that to be the law now, and that all the governors of number of assay offices provided for in this bill and other bills, a con­ the Territories except the Territory of Alaska are entitled by statute venience to the producers of gold and silver who are in the neighbor­ to $3,500, and I find that in the bill as it came from the Honse the hood. governor of Arizona is given $2,600. It strikes me that if they inter­ Mr. EDMUNDS. Does the Senator mean to say that the $190,000, fered in one case the committee ought to have interfered in all cases. or whatever the sum, $200,000 in round numbers, that is assayed there The honorable chairman says that he understands there has been a very is all the productofthe minesofthat neighborhood, or has it been sent capable and proper man appointed governor of Alaska. around from other parts of the country to be turned into coin there? Mr. ALLISON. I was informed so by some gentleman on the Dem­ Mr. ALI... ISON. I would not state that that is the total amount of ocratic side. gold produced in Georgia and North Carolina. The Senator froni North :Mr. TELLER. I understand the same is true of several other Ter­ Carolina can state more definitely than I can. ritories. For inatance, recently we confirmed what ~as said to be a Mr. EDMUNDS. But is all the assaying that is done there-the very able and deserving man for Utah, the most important Territory $190, 000-done from the metal that is got out of the earth, or is it sent in the United States considered with reference to its relations to the from somewhere else? General Government. We sent a man out there at $2,600 a year quite 1.1r. ALLISON. I think most of it is from the earth in the neigh­ as capable probably as the man who has gone to Alaska, quite as de­ borhood, in Georgia and North Carolina. serving, and with much greater obligations and duties upon him than Mr. EDMUNDS. So we expend 4 per cent. instead of sending it to the governor of Alaska can have. · Philadelphia or wherever, and assaying it there. Mr. EDMUNDS. I have been referred by the chairman of the com­ Mr. ALLISON. That is the case. mittee to the Alaska act of the 17th of May, 1884, creating this office, Mr. EDMUNDS. If that is not protection of American industries I :1.nd I do not see in the section that provides for the establishment of do not understand what can be. the office any salary. My friend from Connecticut [Mr. PLATT] calls ~fr. ALLISON. In view of the appropriation forth is assay office hav­ my attention to the ninth section, which says, ''they shall severally ing continued from year to year, and inasmuch as it is provided for by receive the fees of office established by law," &c., and the governor law, the committee did not feel that they could strike out this proYision. $3,000, the attorney $2,500, the marshal$2,500, and the judge $3,000. 1\Ir. EDMUNDS. May I ask the Senator if it isprovided for by any Now, let us see if the bill conforms to that. other law than an appropriation act? Mr. CHACE. It does conform exactly aH amended. Mr. ALLISON. It is. • Mr. EDMUNDS. My friend from Rhode Island says it does conform Mr. TELLER. It was established many years ago. exactly. In that case I think the committee has done right, because 1\Ir. EDMUNDS. Then, if so, of course we can not reach it here. l1ere is a standing law which provides for that thing, and if we reduce Mr. ALLISON. It is provided for by a specific statute. it on this appropriation bill it would only involve the United States in Mr. EDMUNDS. I am content, if not satisfied. expense. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. PALMER in the chair). The read­ Mr. TELLER. What do yon say of Arizona? ing of the bill will proceed. Mr. EDMCNDS. I say the same thing. . The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the Mr. ALLISON. In response to the suggestion made by the Senator Committee on Appropriations was, in the appropriations for "govern­ from Colorado, I will state that since 1877 the salary of the governors ment in the Territories," after the word "governor," at the end of line of all the Territories has been $2,600 instead of the statutory salary 1387, to strike out "two thousand six hundred" and insert "three provided for in the Revised Statutes and read by the Senator from Ver­ thousand;" inline1389, after the word "judge," to.strikeout "two mont. It may be that we ought at this distance of time and after a thousand five hundred" and insert "three thousand;" ancl in line change of all the governors increase the compensation to the sum pro­ 1393, after the word "all," to strike out "ninteen thousand six" and posed and suggested by the Senator from Colorado; but I submit that insert "twenty thousand five;" so as to make the clause read: if these governors have been able to conduct the operations of the Ter­ Territory of .Alaska: f<'or salary of governor, $3,000; judge, $3,000; attorney, ritories during all of the intervening years from 1877 to 1886, the new marshal, and clerk, $2,500 each; four commissioners, $1,000 each; four deputy governors recently appointed can afford to serve the country at the marshals, $750 each; in nil, $20,500. salary provided for by existing appropriation acts. Mr. ED~mNDS. Is that an increase of the salary of the governor Mr. TELLER. I did not suggest that the salaries of these governors of the Territory? should be raised. The inquiry I made was whether it was not neces­ Mr. ALLISON. The act organizing the Territory: of Alaska'is one sary to raise the salary if the statute provided that he should have it, of the recent acts of Congress. The Committee on Territories provided and I wanted to call the attention of the committee to the fact that the a salary there of$3,000 per annum. statute provided that every Territorial governor, except of Alaska, Mr. HARRISON. If the Senator from Iowa will allow me, the Com­ should have $3,500, and they had left those alone. I did not suggest mittee on Territories reported a bill with a lower salary and it was in­ that we should increase it, although I would be entirely in favor my­ creased in the Senate and put at $3,000. self of increasing this salary to what the statute provides. Mr. ALLISON. I thank the Senator for correcting me, and regret I think it is out of character to send a man who is fit to manage af­ that I did the Committee on Territories the injustice of suggesting that fairs in a Territory like Utah ancl ask him to live upon a salary of .. they reported this salary. The judge was provided for also at $3,000. $2,600. I will venture to say that we ha\e in the Treasury Depart­ I understand that recently there has been a very aeceptable person ap­ ment more than twenty men living here at Washington with no such pointed to the position of governor in the Territory of Alaska, and also obligations and duties to discharge as these men have in the Territories an exceptionally good lawyer appointed to the position of judge in that who are getting their $2,500 a year and even getting $3,500 a year, Territory, and in view of its remoteness and the expense of getting to the living here in Washington, who do not begin to assume the obligations Territory from the States it was thought wise to suggest at least to the that these men do, and do not have the responsibilities that they have Senate that the salary provided for in the law should be appropriated. in the Territories. Mr. EDMUNDS. That is just what I wish to get at. I wish to know lfr. CULLOM. Or the Jabor to perform. whether the existing law es+..ablishing these offices :fixes the salary at Mr. TELLER. I am not going to make any motion to increase the $2,600 or $3,000, salaries of these Democratic g~vernors; but if any Democrat here hll.'! 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 6333 the courage to do it he will always :find me voting for it, because I be­ decide the question; I would like exceedingly if that officer could be lieve in giving to a man who goes out into the Territories to represent given more salary than is allowed by the bill. the Government of the United States a respectable sum. I submit Mr. COCKRELL. What officer is it? that $2,600 is such a contemptible sum that nobody ought to be asked Mr. CULLOM. Chief-justice of the Territory of Utah; and I think to go out and serve as governor for $2,600, and I wonder that any man the governor also ought to have more saJ.ary. can be got to do it who is fit to go. Mr. BUTLER. Of course he ought. Mr. EDMUNDS. Will the Senator kindly show us the law? The PRESIDING OFFICER. If the Senator from Illinois moves Mr. DAWES. I think if the Senator from Colorado will examine such an amendment the Chair will be happy to entertain it. some of the appropriation acts since 1877 he will find in the beginning Mr. CULLOM. I should like to have the consent of the Senate that of the first section· where the phrase is inserted, '' and the salary shall the governor have the statutory salary given him instead of twenty-six be hereafter as fixed in this act." hundred dollars. Mr. TELLER. I think not. Mr. EDMUNDS. You have a .right to move that if the statute au­ Mr. DAWES. I think he will find it so. I do not know that it has thorizes it. any reference to these particular salaries, but I know that that phrase Mr. CULLOM. But I want to include in that a motion to increase was put into some of the appropriation acts, and has been since 1877. the salary of the chief-justice $500 as well. I suggest that possibly that might affect some of these salaries. · Mr. ALLISON. For the present I hope the Senator will not sug­ I do not differ from the Senator in the propriety of cutting down gest that amendment, as we have agreed, I believe, that the commit­ t.hese salaries, and I would vote with him to put any salary up to area­ tee amendments should be first considered, and then it will be in or­ sonable point, whether it be under this administration or any other. der to go back. But the Senator will find in some of the appropriation acts that device Mr. CULLOM. If it is understood that I can have that opportu­ by which salaries were cut down in an appropriation act not only for nity in the future, I shall not press the matter now. the year that the appropriation was made but for all time. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the Senator from Illinois sub­ Mr. HARRIS. Mr. President, what is the question before the mit an amendment? Senate? :Mr. CULLOM. I will not make the motion to amend now, but The PRESIDING OFFICER. There is no question before the Senate. . wait until the committee amendments are concluded. Mr. HARRIS. Then why do we not proceed with the reading of The PRESIDING OFFICER. The reading of the bill will proceed. the bill? The reading of the bill was resumed and continued to line 1528, The PRESIDING OFFICER. It is a discursive discussion on the when the following paragraph was read: merits of the salaries of Territorial governors. The Chief Clerk will Territory of Wyoming: For salary of governor, $2,600; chief justice and two proceed with the reading of the bill. associate judges, at $3,000 each; al)d secretary, at $1,800, $13,400. The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the Committee on Appropriations was, in the proviso to the clause appro­ Ur. EDMUNDS. That is $400 for the judges above what has been priating $22,000 for ''legislative expenses of Territory of Montana,'' in stated. line 1473, after the word "clerk," to insert "hereinbefore provided Mr. HARRISON. It is the same as the others. Mr. ALLISON. A.ll the judges of the Territories are entitled by law for;" so as to read: to $3,000 and all are appropriated for at that rate. Pro,ided, That the sum of $900 of said amount is hereby specifically appro­ The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment was, priated for salary of clerk hereinbefore provided for in secretary's office. under the head of "War Department," in the appropriat~ns for the Mr. EDMUNDS. I should like the chairman to explain that. Is Signal Office, in line 1595, after the words ''military telegraph lines,'' that a new office? to strike out ''forty'' and insert ''thirty;" so as to make the clause Mr. ALLISON. We found in the bill as it came to us "the sum of read: $900 of said amount," that is the legislative expenses, "is hereby spe­ For the services of scientific experts, clerks, draugbtsmen, copyists, messen­ cifically appropriated for salnry of clerk.'' Included in the legislative gers, mechanics, labm·ers, and such other services as the Secretary of War may deem necessary, in the office of the Chief Signal Officer, to carry into effect the expenses is a clerk. The bill as it came from the House stated "for appropriations for observation aud report of storms, and for the construction, salary of clerk in secretary's office." We concluded that if this sum maintenance, and repairs of military telegraph lines, $30,000. of $900 was to be taken for a clerk from the leooislative expenses it Mr. CHACE. I ask the chairman why the committee reduced that should be provided that the clerk appropriated for should have this item of$40,000 to $30,000? • fund. Mr. HAWLEY. What is the reason for the reduction? I suppose Mr. EDMUNDS. What is this clerk? M:r. ALLISON. I am not able to state precisely. I suppose he is the Senator from Rhode Island [blr. CHACE] made that inquiry, but I could not hear him. the usual clerk that they have in a Territorial Legislative Assembly, hav­ Mr. ALLISON. This reduction of $10,000 is supposed to leave mat­ ing the duties and performing the services that are usually performed ters in such form as to allow a sufficient sum to theChiefSignal Officer by a clerk in a Legislative Assembly. to discharge the duties which are required to be performed by the men Mr. EDMUNDS. But I do not see in regard to the other Territories that precise provision. I merely ask for information. The amendment provided for in this clause. is undoubtedly correct, but I do not see it in other places. Mr. CHACE. What was the appropriation for that purpose last Mr. ALLISON. I do not myself see it in regard to Idaho. I have year? no doubt that a clerk is necessary to every Legislative Assembly, and I Mr. ALLISON. The appropriation last year was $40,000. have no doubt he would be appointed and paid out of these appropria­ Mr. CHACE. Was there anything left to be covered into the Treas­ tions whether specifically mentioned or not. ury? Mr. EDMUNDS. Only this bill might give an additional one. Mr. ALLISON. I should think not. I have no recollection of any­ Mr. ALLISON. We especially provided against it by the insertion thing being covered into the Treasury from the Signal Office on account of the words which we proposed. of any appropriation. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the Mr. CHACE. Is there any evidence that this money was injudi­ amendment of the Committee on Appropriations, inserting the words ciously expended? "hereinbefore provided for." Mr. BECK. I ask the chairman of the committee to pass the amend­ The amendment was agreed to. ment over until to-morrow morning. The reading of the bill was resumed and continued to line 1492, when Mr. ALLISON. I have no objection to passing it over, but I should the following paragraph was read: be glad to call attention to the Book of Estimates, page 267, which shows how this money is to be expended. I will not take the time of Territory of Utah: For salary of governor, $2,600; chief-justice and two nsso­ the Senate to do so this evening if the item is to be passed over. date judges, at $3,000 each; and secretary, at $1,800, $13,400. Mr. CONGER. I should like to know how the money is expended. Mr. CULLOM. I should like to inquire of the chairman of the com­ Mr. ALLISON. The method by which it is expended is by em­ mittee whether the salary allowed the chief-justice of Utah is the sal­ ploying a 'civilian assistant at $4,500, one professor of electrical science · ary prescribed by the statute as it stands now. I make that inquiry at $3,500, and so on. for the reason that I personally know that the gentleman occupying Mr. EDMUNDS. That is in the discretion of the Chief Signal Of­ the position of chief-justice there is a man who ought to have more ficer? than a three-thousand-dollar salary. He is a poor man, and the posi­ Mr. ALLISON. Yes, sir; it is a lump appropriation of so many tion of chief-justice of that Territory is one of the most laborious posi­ dollars. tions there is anywhere in the country. I think that the salary ought Mr. CHACE. I am satisfied; I do not want to hear any more. to be increased if the law will allow it. · Mr. SEWELL. I want to know of the chairman of the committee Mr. ALLISON. I will say to the Senator from illinois that the what proportion of that appropriation is for military telegraph lines? amount here provided is the statutory salary. Mr. ALLISON. Not a dollar. Mr. CULLOM. Is it in order for me to move to increase the Mr. SEWELL. After providing for the services of experts, clerks, amount? &c., the clause making the appropriation reads, ''and for the construe· Mr. ALLISON. I should hardly think so. tion, maintenance, and repairs of military telegraph lines," before the Hr. CULLOM. I understand that I should call upon the Chair to statement of the amount. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30, 6334 ;

Mr. ALLISON. I say not a 'dollar. I do not think one dollar of It is the extension of these stations over large· regions of country. Now, this appropriation is expended for military telegraph lines. . in order to get reports of coming storms from as far off as possible, it :bas Mr. SEWELL. Wehavemilitarytelegnt.ph lines.a.ndsignal stations been necessary from the beginning to build telegraph lines by this de­ along the coast-! speak particularly of New Jersey-at the exposed partment, and they have been built to remote places where there are beaches some miles out at sea, by which they have been enabled to re­ no existing telegraphs and where there are no means of communication, port to the mainland vessels going ashore, and boats have lain at the as there must be if the observatioJ).S are to be of any value. beach forty-eight hours in consequence of the cable being out of order. l\1r. ALLISON. My friend from Michigan does not suppose that any When I ca.lled the attention of the Chief Signal Officer to it he stated portion of this money is used for building or repairing military tele­ that if he could get appropriation enough he would keep the cable in graph lines. If he does be is entirely mistaken. Not a cent of it iB order. ever used for that purpose. Mr. ALLISON. I will say to the Senator from New Jersey that I Mr. CONGER. The Senator is entirely mistaken. did not exactly comprehend the scope of his inquiry at first. This is Mr. ALLISON. I may be, but I happen to know about it. simply a lump appropriation to cover the expenditures made for the Mr. OONGER. I am sorry the Senator does not understand what Signal Service, and the phraseology used here is to designate the gen­ this means. There is a telegraph line at Fort Myer across the river eral character of the office in reference to its meteorological observa­ which connects with t_be Signal Office here in the city. There is a mil­ tions. itary telegraph line for this little distance of 2 or 3 miles that is put Mr. SEWELL. Here is a decrease in the appropriation of $10,000. up by this office and kept in repair by it. Wherever there is·a station What I want to get at is how much of that decrease applies to the re- away from a regular telegraph line, by virtue of this appropriation the pairs of those lines? . Signal Office has connected it with some one station by telegraph. Mr. ALLISON. Not a dollar, as I stated before. There are cautionary stations, there are places where there are signa.l Mr. SEWELL. How much is appropriated to those military tele-· stations on the coast of the lakes and on the ocean far removed from graph lines? towns and from places where there are telegraph lines, where caution­ 1\lr. ALLISON. Nothing of this gross sum. This is a general ap­ ary signals are .kept up for the benefit of navigation to give warning of propriation for the purposes of the Signal Office w hichis described here the approach of storms. It bas been found necessary at many places as being an office "to carry into effect the appropriations for observa­ to connect with telegraph lines 3 miles, 10 miles, or 100 miles off, it

tion and report of storms, and for the construction, maintefu'IDCe1 and may be, to make valuable for the navigationofthe country, the storm repairs of military telegraph lines.'' signals at remote points where sailors may see them passing by. That In the sundry civil bill we make a large appropriationforthesepur­ is the object of this appropriation, and that is the use to which it has poses, and this is a little appropriation drawn into this bill in a quiet been put. way to enable the Chief Signal Officer . to employ certain clerks and :Mr. ALLISON. I do not desire to occupy the Senator's time, but I professors and scientific experts to carry on the various duties of the want to assure him that if he will turn to page 267 of the Book of Es­ office of the Chief Signal Officer. I have here and was proceeding timates, which must lie upon his desk, he will see that not one cent of to read the exact method of expending this $40,000 which was appro­ this money ever has been or is proposed to be expended for the purpose priated last year and which is reappropriated by the House provision which he states. There has never been a remote suggestion of the in this bill. kind. Nobody would think of it and nobody would talk about it. 1\Ir. EDl\IUNDS. But why should this "military telegraph " be in This is an appropriation that has been in the legislative, executive, here at all if there is another bill covering a large sum for that? and judicial appropriation bill for many years, and relates entirely to Mr. ALLISON. ·This presumably is to cover what is called the of­ the office force which is sitting here in the city of Washington record­ fice force as distinguished from that great range and multitude of men ing and registering the arrangements and books and accounts of the who are employed upon the various stations of the Signal Service. Signal Service Bureau; and the idea that any dollar of this is expended '- J\fr. EDMUNDS. But this clause says "and for the construction, in enlarging or expanding or promoting the diffusion of this system of maintenance, and repairs of military telegraph lines." If in another the Signal Service is, to my mind, a thing which ought not to be sug­ bill there is a general provision for this sort of thing, why is that very gested in this Chamber in the face of the absolute fact that must rest elastic clause put in here at all? If the object is for scienti.Dc experts, within the knowledge of every Senator. &c., why do you not strike out this about telegraph lines entirely, in Mr. CONGER. I ask the Senator if there is not in that an estimate order to leave it in its proper place on the other bill? for this very purpose in the language used here? 1\Ir. ALLISON. The appropriations in the sundry civil bill for the 1\Ir. ALLISON. Not an estimate for this purpose at all in this con­ maintenance of this meteorological bureau are appropriations of a nection. specific character for men, so many sergeants, so many corporals, so 1\Ir. CONGER. Then bow did it get into this bill at all? many privates of the first class and privates of the second class,.&c. Mr. ALLISON. I endeavored .once to explain that, to show that The Chief Signal Officer seems to require, and I have no donb t does re­ these words here are merely descriptive of the office force that is used quire, a certain civilian force in his office outside of and independent of for the purpose of gathering together the accounts of the Signal Service the military or quasi military force which is appropriated for in the Bureau, the work of which is appropriated for in another bill, formerly sUlldry civj.l bill now, and which until the last year or two has been ap­ in the Army bill, and now in the sundry civil bill, which has been un­ propriated for in the Army appropriation bill. der debate for a week in the House and which will probably reach us Mr. EDMUNDS. Yes, but this clause is for things and notformen. in the course of four or five days. 1\Ir. ALLISON. The Senater will see that it is not only for things, 111r. CONGER. Now, I will make a remark on that before I forget but for men also . it. I have been in the Signal Office to which the gentleman alludes .Mr. EDMUNDS. No; the part of the clause in lines 1594 and1595, when he says all this appropriation is for what is to be done in the Sig­ that I called attention to, applies to the military t-elegraph lines. nal Office in the city of Washington. I have seen while there vast Mr. ALLISON. But those words are merely descriptive. They are clouds, tumuli, as the Senator has, and I do not know all the queer merely descriptive of the character of the office. names of the clouds-nimbus is one, I believe-and I have seen all J\fr. EDMUNDS. Descriptive of the character of the work for which kinds of machinery there. But I submit to the Senator from Iowa­ the money is appropriated.· and I wish he would give me his attention for a moment. :Mr. ALLISON. That is to say: Mr. ALLISON. I am so doing. For the services of scientific experts, clerks. draughtsmen, copyists, messen­ Mr. CONGER. I want it given more intensely than he is giving it gers, mechanics, 'laborers, and such other services as the Secretary of War ma.y now. [Laughter.] deem necessary:in the office of the Chief Signal Officer. 1 1\fr. ALLISON. I will endeavor to give my eye and ear to the Sen­ It might stop there, but it goes on to designate what these people are ator. doing, namely, the Chief Signal Officer bas to "carry into effect the :Mr. CONGER. I ask the Senator how many miles of telegraph line appropriation for observation and report of storms, and for the con­ he has seen in that little office in the city of Washington to be re- struction, maintenance, and repairs of military t-elegraph lines.'' paired or maintained or kept up? .. · Mr. CHACE. That sentence is a description of what this is for. l\Ir. ALLISON. As I go to the Signal Office during the daytime, I 111r. ALLISON. It is a mere description. I, of course, yield to the do not think I have ever seen a mile of it. I do not claim that this is superior judgment of the Senator from Vermont; but this language has used for repairing wires in the Signal Office. It is a clerical force, an stood the test of criticism for the last five years, because it is the exact expert force. I should be glad to read, if it would not take too much language that has been incorporated in these bills for certainly that time, the exact mode of expenditure, showing how it was done this long, and I think for seven or eight years. It has stood the test of ex­ last year. Would the Senator like to hear it? penditure, which is very certain, because there is residuum. Any Mr. CONGER. Yes, in a moment. What I have to say will be Senator who desires to know how this money is expended annually can more interesting just now. The Senator has made a great mistake in turn to page 276 of the Book of Estimates and see the method of ex­ his statement, and I certainly am not going on to make a personal allu­ penditure. I will not stop to read it. sion of this kind unless I have his attention. Neither the Senator from Mr. CONGER. The last clause, about which the complaint and com­ Tennessee nor any other Senator shall attract his attention so that I ment has been made, has been in the appropriation bills ever since the shall not have access to him on this occasion. appropriations were made for this Signal Service, and necessarily so. The Senator, I say, must have made a great error in his statement or The great value of the Signal Service is in its stations for observation. he must rise in his place and confess that he was very wro~ in his con· 1836. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SEN ATE. 6335

Department, bureau, or commission authorized by law shall be duplicated by elusion. The Senator did say that this whole appropriation related to this bureau. · things that were going on inside. Now, the Senator from Rhode Island For maintenance and repair of m.ilitary-tele.,o-raph lines, $24,000. is taking the attention of the Senator from Iowa. I do not attribute Amounting inall,I think, to about $600,000. I call the attention of this interruption to any unkindness to me personally, but I suppose the Senator from New Jersey to the fact that a specific sum was appro­ through sympathy the Senator from Rhode Island wants to take the priated in this act for the repair and maintenance of military-telegraph part of the weaker Senator from Iowa. [Laughter.] lines. Now follows a statement of the military force connected with Mr. CHA.CE. I was just suggesting that it was getting to be rather the office: cloudy on account of the tumuli. Pay: For pay of one brigadier-general and sixteen second lieutenants, $29,500; Mr. CONGER. I do not care which way the Senator from Iowa talks for longevity pay to officers of the Signal Corps, to be paid with current monthly about it. He is generally accurate, but he is mistaken in my opinion pay,$!,250; for pay of one hundred and fifty sergeants, thirty corporals, and three hundred and twenty privates, including payment due on discharge, $200,- and rather conffi.sed on this question. The Senator did say that all the 151.51; for mileage to officers when traveling on dut-y under orders, $5,000; for appropriation in this whole paragraph was for office-work inside a single pay of contract surgeon, 81,200; for commutation of quarters to commissioned office here. officers at places where there are no public q ua.rters, 57,200; in all, $24.7 ,301.5.1. 1\Ir. ALLISON. So I stated. Then follow the subsistence and the regular supplies, fuel, and all Mr. CONGER. Now, I ask the Senator how many miles of military that sort of thing, altogether amounting to a very large sum of money telegraph line, for the construction, maintenance, and repairs of which and covering very largely a clasS of expenditures that are provided for this appropriation is made, he supposes could, without incommoding by name, and not the class of expenditures which are made according the other duties and management of the office, be constructed in the to the Book of Estimates under the provisions now under consideration little building where the Signal Office is? A:ny explanation of that in the legislative, executive, and judicial appropriation bill. kind will be perfectly satisfactory to me, and I will withdraw from this Mr. EDMUNDS. Why are they not all brought together. contest if it can be made handsomely and satisfactorily. Mr. PLUMB. I was about thinking of that and suggesting that they Mr. ALLISON. I think the suggestions of the Senator from Michigan ought to be so brought together; but in point of fact that has not been are rather in the nature of hypercritieism. If he will add on line 1594 done heretofore. In the beginning this was a military establishment. a few words, so as to read, "and to carry into effect the appropriations It was provided for then in the Army appropriation bill. Finally this for the construction, maintenance, and repairs of military telegraph civil duty was ingrafted upon this quasi-military establishment, and lines," he will then see to what this appropriation applies. It has been the personnel of the force was provided for in the legislative, execnti ve, supposed hitherto for a good many years that it was not necessary to and judicial bill, as the personnel of the ~orcein substantially all the repeat those words, but the Senator from Michigan has waked up after other Departments of the Government is provided for. Then it grew five or six years of slumber on this appropriation and suddenly discov­ a little further and got into the sundry civil bill, where it floated away ered that it applied to the repairs of military telegraph lines. All I from all bounds and became an enormous establishment. There ought have to say respecting that is that if the Senator will again look at page to be a combination; all these appropriations ought to be combined in one. 267 of the Book of Estimates he will see how this money is expended. We are duplicating by description at least the appropriations for va­ As to the phraseology employed I should be glad to 'be aided by the rious objects, civilian employes, repair of military telegraph lines, and Senator from Michigan, and I would be glad to insert any language so on, and consequently almost inevitably the appropriations are more which he will suggest looking to perfecting the phraseology of this pro­ extravagant than they would be if they were brought together in such vision. a way that the entire scope of the transactions of this important and Mr. CONGER. Will the Senator give me the page? expensive establishment of the Government cou1d be considered at one Mr. ALLISON. Page 267 of the Book of Estimates, Appendix K. time and in one place and in one connection. He will there not only see the amount, but he will see the character of :Mr. EDl\IUNDS. That is also true as to some other appropriations. the expenditure. ~1r. PLUMB. It is very true, I have no doubt, in regard to some Mr. HA. WLEY. I se~ on page 267 the list of employes, and I shou1d other appropriations; but this has grown up from time to time, perhaps like to know which quarter of them is to be discharged if the appro­ on the whole wisely, ,but at all events it ha-s been enlarged. There has priation is reduced from $40,000 to $30,000. Who is to be discharged been no disposition in any way to diminish the value of the service to on that list-the civilian assistant, the professor of electrical science, the country, whatever that might be, but certainly there ought not to or this other professor? You will save about $10,000 and will proba­ be this duplication of important objects in different bills. There is an bly take out of the bureau five or six of these gentlemen, and leave the appropriation of about $5,000 in the Army appropriation bill besides office altogether useless. If you are to take out $10,000 worth of la­ for aanunciators and various things, as I had occasion to find, and there borers and messengers and clerks, I do not see how the professors can are a 'mass of articleS purchased there that I had no idea had any ex­ work. Where is the $10,000 to be taken out? istence. That is provided for in the Army bill. Then the legislative 1\Ir. ALLISON. The Committee on Appropriations believe that by bill further provides for certain other classes of expenses; and then a careful and prudent and economical administration of the civilian comes the sundry civil bill with wide grasp covering the whole situation portion of this bureau it can be conducted with an annual expenditure both as in the Army bill and in the legislative bill. of $30,000; and whether it dispenses with a translator and bibliogra­ It seems to me it would be the part of economy_and of proper admin­ pher, or a professor, or what not, or a writer upon storms or cyclones, istration to take this provision entirely out of the legislative approprfu-. . or a particular expert with reference to any special matter relating to tion bill and put the whole thing in the sundry civil bill, where it can meteorology, the Committee on Appropriations would not undertake be brought under a scrutiny which will be comprehensive enough to to direct. They have absolute faith, at least I have, in the intelligence embrace all the features of the administration and all the expense at­ and fidelity and zeal of the Chief Signal Officer, and have a belief that tending on this important bureau. if we give him $30,000 per annum he will so expend it as to make his Mr. EDMUNDS. Why did not the committee so report? office efficient and at the same time discharge whatever surplus of em­ Mr. PLUMB. That I can not say. One thing, of course, the Senate ployes he may have there above such amount. will understand about this matter. These bills go to differentsubcom­ Mr. PLUMB. I want to call the attention of the Senator from Con­ mittees. The chairman knows more about that than I do. I can say necticut and the Senate to the appropriation found in the last sundry for myself that I have not had my attention specially called to this civil bill. The first item is: matter, though I have thought about it. SIGNAL SERVICE. Besides, the theory has been that the personnel of the office should be To be expended by the Secretary of War: provided for under the legislative bill; but, as the Senator from Iowa For the observation and report of storms: For expenses of the meteorological bas well s~id, this provision, while embracing by description the con­ observation and report of storms by telegraph and signal. or otherwise an­ struction and maintenance and repair of military telegraph lines, has nouncing the probable approach and force of storms, for the benefit of the com­ merce and agriculture througho11t the United States as follows: been used exclusively for the pay of the civil force. That language was put in originally, and probably some of the money was so applied Then comes the enumeration: until they succeeded in getting an appropriation ·in the sundry civil bill For the manufacture, purchase, and repair of instruments, $10,000. which covered everything, and then it was used for the other purpose. For telegraphic reports, $138,000. For expenses of storm, cautionary, off-shore, and other signals on the sea and I can not say definitely as to that, but that is probably a fair construc­ la.ke coasts of the United States, announcing the probable approach and force of tion from the known facts. But certainly, inasmuch as we have a pro­ storms, including the pay of observers, services of operators (where not other- vision for the military employes in and for the repair of military tele­ wise provided for), lanterns, and flags, Sll,OOO. · For continuing the connections of signal stations at life-saving stations and graphs in the sundry civil bill and pretty much all the other items of light-houses, including services of operators, repairmen, materials (such as this great establishment, they certainly all ought to be combined to- cable, wire, poles, and insulators), and general service connected therewith, gether. . --thonsand five hundred dollars: Provided, That such connections, in the opinion of the Superintendent of the Life-Saving Service and the Light-House M:r. HAWLEY. I did not ask these questions because I desired to Board, shall be deemed necessary. make any unnecessary criticism, but because I am impressed with the For manufacture, purchase, and repair of instrument shelters. $2,000. very great value of the Signal Service. I doubt not that there might For rent., hire of civilian employes, furniture, light, heating supplies, station­ ery, ice, repairs, and other expenses of offices maintained for public use in cities be reforms in the arrangement, the formation, the management of it. and ports receiving reports, out:aide of Washington, D. 0., $41,500. That is quite possible. It lias been a matter of a great deal of contro­ For river and flood reports, and expenses incidental thereto, $10,000. versy within a few years past. It was brought up in the Committee For maps and bulletins to be displayed in chambers of conunerce and boards of trade rooms, and for distribution, $25,000. · on Military Affairs and discussed again and again, and a subcommittee For cotton-belt reports, $7,000: Provided, That hereafter the work of no other of that committee undertook to reorganize the service in some shape. 6336 CONGRESSIONAL ,REOORD-SENATE. JUNE 30,

Now, I will assent to almost anything in the way of a proper and In response to the suggestion made by the Senator from Vermont economical arrangement of this matter that does not interfere with the and the Senator from Kansas, I have a word to say. This bureau is in essential usefulness of the Signal Service. It has won its place among some sense in a transition state,. as the Senators know, in reference to the scientific men and among the practical men of the country as an some other matters connected with it, for it has been my fortune for institution of very great value. I tis acknowledged by scientists abroad the last year and a half to expend a great deal of my time in the in­ to be a great credit to the country. It keeps up its constant correspond­ vestigation of the details of the Signal Service Office; and I will state ence with the scientific societies of other countries and constant com­ to the Senate that to my knowedge there are to-day one hundred and parison of observations, and is extending the area of science i.J¥this re­ forty-three men employed in civilian employment in the Signal Office in spect very largely and very honorably and creditably. this city that are registered and recorded as men in the military serv­ I am not sure but that we shall have to come by and by to make an ice of our Government under the appropriations in the sundry civil bill. entirely civil institution of it. That is quite possible; and yet when These men are performing here mere clerical duty. Tht!y comprise part I have heard the argument in favor of having these civil-service men of the five hundred enlisted men who are provided for annually in the under military discipline and subject to the laws governing military sundry civil bill. enlistment I am impressed by that view. I only want to be assured as It is the object of the Committee on .Appropriations not to cripple or we are passing over this bill and reducing this $40,000 to $30,000 that impair or in any wise affect injuriously the Signal Service with refer­ we are not impairing the essential scientific usefulness of the buren.u. ence t.o its usefulness to the country, but we believe that there can be I could understand the discharging of a dozen of these lieutenants or economies introduced there which have not yet been introduced; and! their transfer from the Signal Service to the line of the Army; but I will say to the Senator from Kansas who mentioned that these expenses think there are about four officers iB the list on page 267 of the esti­ had increased that since the time we have segregated these expenses from mates that are essential to the very existence of the bureau. There are the ordinary expenditures of the War Department, according to the best scientific students, observers, two or three professors there, who get the estimates; these expenditures have been reduced rather than increased, essence of all this multitude of returns from all parts of the country so that the expenditures of the last fiscal year and the present fisca.l and from all parts of the world, and I do not want them discharged. year are considerably below the expenses of 1882, 1883, and 1884. I do not care what yon do with the rest of the personnel, except what I believe they can be reduced still further, and we propose here to is necessary to the working of the bureau. reduce them $10,000 in reference to these employes. The chief of them Mr. CULLOM. · I desire to ask the chairman of the committee are scientific experts who are employed in various ways in the office whether, in his own judgment, this paragraph ought not to go out of of the Chief Signal Officer; and I do not care, for one, to dispense with the bill and be inserted, if it is needed at all, in the bill where this a single one of the men who are thus employed; but there is a vast subject is legislated for, so as to bring it all together. In other words, number of smaller employes here who we think are unnecessary, and I am impressed with the remarks of the Senator from Kansas that it therefore we propose to cut down $10,000 in this bill in order to see if is not good legislation to scatter items of appropriation through differ­ we can not introduce at least that small economy with reference to the ent bills upon one subject, so that when a man comes to look at the office force. law to ascertain what is appropriated he has got to go through anum­ That is all I have to say about it, and I do not care what the Senate ber of different bills in order to ascertain the facts. It seems to me it determine in regard to it. would be very much better, if the money appropriated in this section Mr. EDMUNDS. Mr. President, the point is not as to the propriety is needed at all, that it should go out of this bill and take its place in of doing all that can be done to support the Signal Service as it is prop­ connection-With the appropriation that is made for that service. If the erly n~derstood; but. the point seems to be whether we can not in an Senator has no good reason to offer why it should not be done, I pro­ appropriation bill that is to pay for that. service know that all that is pose to make a motion to strike it out of this bill entirely. to be paid for that service is brought into that bill, so that we and the Mr. ALLISON. This is a matter that has been carefully considered executive officers of the Government and the people of the United States by the Committee on Appropriations, and it is only a part of the gen­ in turning to a statute may know 11ow much this Signal Service, as it eral system of this bill. is called, costs the Government. That is it. Now, what is this legislative, executive, and judicial bill? It is, It is not now a Signal Service at all except as to training some people first, an appropriation for the House and Senate and all their employes, for a time of war, but it is simply a service for observing the weather and then forall the Departments of the Government situated in Wash­ and reporting it. First we have an army organization, and the pay of ington. That is the theory of it. It covers all the clerical force, and the Army is applied to snn.dry people in this service, certainly the Chief there are carried in thiS bill probably nine thousand employes in all. Signal Officer and probably a good many others. The theory of the bill iS that. it shall carry the ·clerical force in this Mr. .ALLISON. · Three others onlv. city as distinguished from that multit.ude of people who are employed Mr. EDMUNDS. That is thiee_times as many as one. There the in various ways elsewhere. - Of course this bill also carries certain em­ Army bill comes in. Then you come to the legislative bill, and here ployes of the Secretary of the Treasury in-the great cities. we have got I do not know how many thousand dollars and how many Mr. CULLOM. I believe I heard the Senator from South Carolina efficers. But that is not my point; I want to find the way of trying to make the same sugge8tion·, that this bill is appropriating money for bring them together. Then we are told that when the sundry civil governors and secretaries and judges all over the country. · bill comes on we shall have another group of expenditures provided for Mr. .ALLISON. It is to cover the civil employes of the Government relative to this same service, and lapping over not only in this instance having a fixed separate salary or having .fixed and definite duties. but I am afraid in a great many others, and duplicating and exagger­ Prior to 1882 this whole Signal Service was swallowed up and embod jed ating the total amount of expenditures far above what they would be in the Army appropriation bill, and no Senator could tell, no man could if in the common sense way, as you in your business house or I in tell, not even the Secretary of War, without the most minute exami­ mine, if I had any other than being attorney of a. railroad corporation­ nation and figuring of various accounts, what the cost of the Signal and I am sorry I have not a client of that kind just now-would do in Service was. · carrying on private business. The whole thing is spread out so that .Mr. EDMUNDS. Can he now? nobody can tell anything about it. Mr. ALLISON. He can now for the reason that the late Secretary Now, why will not the committee ~OTee that whatever has been done, ofWar, Mr. Lincoln, expressly insisted that the expenses of this meteoro­ aside from the strict Army pay of these four Army gentlemen, and all logical service should be segregated from the expenses of the War De­ there is about the Signal Service, shall be put into one bill so that we partment proper, and forth~ first time in 1882 there was a segregation and our constituents can see in one place what the. whole thing means of these expeDJ?eS, and. then it was that this lump appropriation of and so that the Department in executing it will have one single guide $40,000 was first inserted in the legislative bill and it was required be­ and one single law for what they are to do, how they are to do it, and cause it was supposed ;h_at you could not tell_exactli how-many people what they are to pay? would be required in the Signal Office. They. publisl!. bUlletins every Mr. .ALLISON. The suggestion made by the Senator from Vermont day, a specimen of which is to be seen in our re# !!_all here. These would require us to take.out of this bill all appropriations for surveyors­ are sent all over. the country. .A certain amount of printing must be general, because the surveyors-general execute the appropriations for done in th_isoffi;ce; a certain amount of employes of that character must the survey of the public lands, and yet we do not appropriate in the be employed in. th~ ,office. ~ So it :was no~ p~adi~:Qle to dra"'! into the same bill the money to pay the surveyors-general and the money to sur­ cla~ifie~ seryice the people :who were tP,us employed, and therefore in vey the public lands. In other words, the appropriations for this Gov­ 1882 thet:e_was a ~up:lp sum of $40,000 appropriated. ernment of ours for the convenience of those who administer the Gov­ The Chief Signal Officer hris used up that sum" in assigning to his ernment have been divided up into what are known as thirteen great office certain definite employes which are stated year by year in the appropriation bills, and that has proved to be by long experience of the Book of Estimates. - • executive offices and of Congress to be the most careful and expedient The Committee on Appropriations believe that he ·has too many em­ way of dividing up the moneys appropriated from year to year. ployes, that he can cut down at the rate at least of $10,000, and The argument made by the Senator from Vermont with reference to some of them believe that he could cnt down tO $20,000; but we were the collection of all these expenditures into one appropriation bill not prepared to bring in a. schedule of definite and distinct salaries and would apply to the office of the .Adjutant-General and almost every numbers that could be so employed, and we said to him in this bill, other office of the Government. We have here large appropriations "You must regulate your civilian force nnderthis rule so as to expend for the Adjutant-General's Office. Why not put them in the Army United States Army, the Third Auditor of the Treasury, the Adjutant­ But the force that is employed upon the pension work in that office General of the United States Army, a~d the Paymaster-General of the undoubtedly is not as old a force; it is not so thoroughly intrenched, United States Army with regard to this claim. It seems that each one it has not been there so long, it is not so near perhaps to the head of of these officers is required to be consulted, and the books and accounts the bureau, to the Surgeon-General. I do not charge him with any­ of these officers are required to be examined before this poor soldier in thing purposely wrong. I have no prejudice whatever against the my State can have his claim allowed; and after sitting silently for four Surgeon-General; I know nothing whatever against him except that I \ 1886. CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. 6339

believe he is wrong here, that he is following the traditions of these Mr. HALE. How much does the Senator thlnk, then, it will in· bureaus and these Departments "too much, aud is overruled by men crease when the public domain is entirely exhausted? about him who do not want to be disturbed. I think he iS wrong. · Mr. TELLER. It does not make any difference. Within five years I think if you are to reduce the Surgeon-General's Office twenty 75,000,000 acres of the public domain have passed from the category clerks, not one of them ought to be taken off from the work that at­ of public lands to segregated lands at least. I state the fact when I tends n. pension application; and I would be glad now in the light of say that to-day there is :five times the work in the office that there was all the information we have either for the Senate to determine that :five years ago, as the record will show. It is no guess of mine. there shall not be any reduction, or if there is to be a reduction of ten Mr. HALE. I suppose, then, that the !.and Office will attain it.9 or fifteen or twenty clerks, that they shall be taken off from the force zenith of usefulness and its extent of force when the last acre of public that is not engaged upon the :plain, it may be dnll and unint~resting land disappears; that when the Indians are blotted outfrom existence the but most useful, work that is performed by that office in working up country will first realize the necessity of a large Indian Bureau, and the arrears-of-pension cases, so that the men who are waiting and im­ that when we have run away forty or :fifty years from the war, then it portuning and stretching out supplicating hands to the Government will be seen that we need to increase the pension force. Still that is a may have their needs attended to. I do not agree with the Surgeon- line of reasoning that I have no't been pursuing myself. GeneraL _ Mr. TELLER. That is a line of reasoning that nobody has pursued Mr. PLAT~. I do not know very much about the S~geon-Gener­ except the Senator from Maine. No body has suggested that. The fact al's Office from any communication with the Surgeon-General or any of he does not deny that claims are being put now in greater numbers the officers there, but it has not been my experience of late to find that than last year, greater last year than the year before, greater then than the business of answering calls from the Pension Office is delayed to the year :preceding. I am not speaking now of the Land Office, but any great extent in the Surgeon-General's Office. claims that go into the Treasury Department, and pension cases that A few years ago it is true that the Surgeon-General's Office was very are coming in. But take the Land Office; there are more pre-emption much behind in answering these calls and there was very great com­ entries, more homestead filings, more contests, more controversies of plaint: and it was brought to Congress and the force was increased very every kind going on there; and it is no answer to say a time will come much; but as I have understood (and from anything that I receive in when there will not be any of them. That is no answer at alL the way ofletters I have no reason to suppose otherwise), that increase The Senator assumes that now the time has been reached, when Ire­ of force enabled the Surgeon-General to bring up the work practically peat he has not a single fact to justify him, his committee, or the Sen­ as far as it can be brought up under the conditions of the business. So ate in reducing a single employe of the Government to-day. . I understand now from this discussion that for some time past he has been The executive officers of the Government are as apt to look after the loaning clerks to the Adjutant-General's Office. I think the Senator welfare of the Government as the members of this body. The men who from Maine must be mistaken in supposing that the Surgeon-General's preside over the Treasury Department, over the War Department, over Office is badly behind, to say the least, in answering the calls of the the Navy and the Interior Departments have the same claims to con­ Pension Office at the present time. fidence that the Senator from Maine has or anybody else. Some of them Mr. HALE. I do not know what the experience of the Senator from have sat in this body, and are presumed to be as e.,'trnest in desiring to Connecticut i ~,but not a week of my life passes that I do not get let­ save the public funds and in getting from the persons who are employed ters from soldiers calling my attention to communications which they under them full compensation for the money they receive as Senators have received from the Pension Office in which it is said they are wait­ are; and if they find they have unemployed men it is their duty, and ing for information from the Surgeon-General's Office. If we are alone, one they will recognize, to dismiss them from the service. They are the Senator from Iowa and I, in that position, then our experience is not compelled by law to keep them. They can turn them out when­ not of much value to the Senate, but I venture to say that other Sen­ ever they find that they have not work for them, unless, as it happens ators, aside from the Senator from Connecticut, are in the same boat. in the case of the Surgeon-General, another bureau of that Department Mr. EDMUNDS. If I may interrupt my friend from Maine­ is demanding additional force, and then they may transfer them to that :M:r. HALE. Certainly. bureau. Mr. EDMUNDS. I will suggest to him that in such replies as I get,~ I have had some little experience; not much. I have seen the offi­ as we all do, if he will look at the dates he will find that in nine cases cers of the Government coming to this committee and demanding in­ in ten in the letters from the Commissioner of Pensions they say they creased force and demonstrating to the committee that they had the are awaiting information that was called for from the Surgeon-General's work to do, that the necessity existed, and they have had doled out t~ Office, this day being the 30th of Jnne, we will say on the 20th in­ them a few extra officers as if it was a favor they were extending to stant, and so on, and the fault has been chiefly in the Pension Office the executive branch of the Government. in just shelving and :pigeon-holing these matters until some Senator If the Senator can come here and show that in any bureau there are or somebody btirred them, when year after year the thing would be more clerks than can be employed, it is a proper charge against the of­ waiting in the Pension Office. When you stir them nptheysay, ''Oh, ficer who has such men on his rolls if he does not dismiss them. But yes, we have sent for the information to the Surgeon-General's Office when a Department officer comes before the committee with his reports, and as soon as we can get it we will send it;" but if you will look at with his estimates, as the Surgeon-General did here, saying, '' I think the dates in nine cases in ten you will see that it has been a very re­ I can dispense with twenty clerks of a certain class;" then when the cent call. committee say in addition to that he shall dispense with ten more-, Mr. HALE. That may be in some cases but it is not my experi­ they have not a single fact to base it on. ence. Ninety-nine per cent. of all attempted reductions since I ha>e been Mr. HAWLEY. I understood the complaint referred to by the Sen­ acquainted with the executive branch of the Government have been ator from Iowa was about delays in the Second Auditor's Office. made just as these ere made, in utter and entire ignorance of the ne­ .Mr. HALE. No, the Surgeon-General's Office. cessities of the service, but from an inordinate desire to appear to be Mr. HAWLEY. It was the Second Auditor's Office, I am quite economizing, to appear to be saving money to the people. sure. The people of the United States demand that their service shall be ,Mr. HALE. He referred to the Surgeon-General's Office. performed. They are not asking that it shall be performed by an un­ Mr. ALLISON. I referred to the Surgeon-General's Office. due number of persons. They are demanding :first celerity in the pub­ Mr. HALE. I was not speaking without having listened to the let­ lic service, and that they can not have unless the executive officers can ter referred to by the Senator from Iowa. be trusted to make their estimates and unless the legislative depart­ Mr. HAWLEY. My experience concurs with that of the Senator ment of the Government will carry out their requests. from Vermont. I do not think the pension department of the Surgeon­ We have heard a good deal about economy in the last few years. General's Office is behindhand. There has been a cry made all over the country for a reduction of pub­ Ur. TELLER. The Senator from Maine assumes that there is some lic expenses. There are many places where there can be a reduction in reason why the force of the several Departments of the Government the· expenditure of public money. There bas been no demand from should be reduced, and he brings it as a sort of accusation against the the people that the Surgeon-General's Office shall be deprived of a sin­ Senate that there is a disposition not to reduce it. I venture to say gle employe. There has been no demand that the Pension Office shall that the Senator from Maine can not put his hand npon a single bu­ not have every man that the head of that office says he needs to exe­ reau in any Department of the Government and intelligently show cute the law. The same may be said of every other Department of where there can be a single reduction. the Government; and I do not think it can be brought as a charge Why should there be any reduction? I will venture here to-night against the Senate when they are willing to take the report of the ex­ to say that in every Department of the Government everywhere there is ecutive officers sent here under oath, presumed to be as honest and a an increase of business over :five years ago. Why should you decrease great deal more intelligent upon that subject than the Senator from the force? Do you expect to conduct this Government, with its in­ Maine can be, no matter how zealous or how industrious he may be, creasing millions every year, with a less number of employes than you because he has not the opportunity, with the other duties that are had last year? It can not be done. Claims are increasing, pensions are thrust upon him, to determine whether the Surgeon-General can or can increasing, public-land work is increasing fourfold to-day over what it not dispense with these clerks. was :five years ago. There is four times as much work to-day in the That is a matter of opinion of his, and it is of no earthly value when Land Office as there was :five years ago by the record. Why, then, he has not had the opportunity to know whether the Surgeon-General should you decrease? is correct or whether he is not. A man's opinion depends :first uponhis \

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD-SENATE. JUNE 30, ! 6340 )

knowledge, and second upon his ability to apply the knowledge that he tures were $43,000,000 and its receipts were $45,000,000. The ~educ­ has got. Without the information nobody is prepared to say here that tion of postage to 2 cents of course brought down the figures somewhat. the officers who have put these estimates in the Book of E!timates have Last year its revenue was forty-two and a half million dollars and its not put them in correctl.v. My experience and my observation are that expenditures $50,000,000. The entire table is as follows: an executive officer puts himself to the utmost limit; be asks as little ns possible. C

The next amendment was, in line 1642, to strike out "thirty-two'' Mr. .ALLISON. What has become of the amendment? and insert ' 1 thirty; '' so as to read: The PRESIDING OFFICER. . It was disagreed to. Thirty clerks of class 3. · Mr. GRAY. I ask for a division on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment was rejected. . Mr. .ALLISON. I do not ask for a division. Does the Senator from Thenextamendment was, in line 1643, to strike out "sixty-two" and Delaware wish a division? insert "sixty;" so as to read: Mr. HARRIS. Let the question be put again without a division. Sixty clerks of class 2. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Secretary will state again the question. The amendment was· rejected. The CHIEF CLERK. In line 1655 the committee report to stdke out The next amendment was, in line 1644, to strike out "seventy-two" ''three hundred'' and insert ''two hundred and eighty;'' soasto read: and insert "sixty-eight;" so as to read: And not less than two hundred nnd eighty of the clerks in the Surgeon-Gen- Sixty-eight clerks of class 1. eral's Office shall be exclusi>ely engaged in preparing and making reports, &c. The amendment was rejected. Mr. EDMUNDS. That does not throw out any clerks. The reading of the bill was resumed, as follows: 11fr. CULLOM. That is true. Eighty-nine clerks, at 81,000 each; one anatomist, at $1,600. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the Mr. EDMUNDS. Is this anatomist necessary for the investigation amendment. of pension cases that we have been disagreeing from the committee on The amendment was agreed to. in the items preceding? The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the Mr. HAWLEY. It is not an amendment, it is in the text of the Committee on .Appropriations was to add to the clause making appro­ bill. There is no amendment pertaining to the anapomist. priations for the office of the Surgeon-General the following proviso: 1\Ir. EDMUNDS. But, as we have disagreed with the committee in Pro-vided, That hereafter no printing shall be done in the Surgeon-General's respect of reducing clerks before, I suppose this anatomist must be one Office, and all printing for said office shall be done by the Public Printer. of the people whom the Surgeon-General thought it necessary to have Mr. EDMUNDS. .As a mere matter of providing for public expend­ to get on with the pension cases. iture, after the word "Printer" I move to strike out the period and :Mr. HAWLEY. I suggest to the Senator from Vermont that if he insert a comma, and insert the words: will go down to the .Army Medical Museum, which is the most mag­ And charged to the appropriations made by law applicable to such service. nificent work of the kind in the world, and the first time that medical So as to have some fond out of which that is to be paid. science has been systematically devoted topreseningthe valuable rec­ Mr. .ALLISON. That will be the case, I will state to the Senator, ords of a great war, he will there see whether he thinks in that won­ without an amendment. derful collection one anatomist is of no use. Mr. EDMUNDS. I hope it will; but it is not very clear: Mr. ED.MUNDS. I think he is of use, but we have been disagreeing Mr. ALLISON. There is nodonbtabout it. The Senator will allow with the committee on the groun~ that these officers were all necessary me to suggest that after the word ''hereafter'' the words ''no printing for the pension cases, and so I inquired with great humility to know shall be done in the Surgeon-General's Office'' be stricken out. I whether this was one of the pep.sion expenses. think the object will be accomplished without those words. The lan­ The PRESIDING OFFICER. The reading of the bill will be re­ guage would then be, "that hereafter all printing for said office shall sumed. be done by the Public Printer." It seems to me that it is doubly The Chief Clerk resumed the reading of the bill. stated DOW. The next amendment of the Committee on Appropriations was, in Mr. CULLOM. If you do not saywhere it shall be paid from it may line 1652, to reduce the total amount of the appropriations for the not be provided for. Office of the Surgeon-General from $512,080 to $497,680. Mr. .ALLISON. It is paid for out of the appropriation for public Mr. BECK. That must be disagreed to now. It is the total of the printing. appropriations there. Mr. EDMUNDS. That depends. If, as my friend says, what I pro­ The amendment was rejected. 1 pose does not change it, I wish for safety to add the words I have pro­ The next amendment was, after the word ' than,'' at the end of line posed, and !will read them again: 1654, to strike out "three hundred" and insert "two hundred and eighty;" so as to read: And charged to the appropriations made by law applicable to such service. And'not less tba"n two hundred and eighty of the clerks in the Surgeon-Gen­ I dare say it may mean without it what the Senator says, but it will eral's Office shall be exclusively engaged in preparing and making reports to be certainly clear in case these words are added. expedite the settlement of pension applications called for by the Commissioner Mr. .ALLISON. The appropriations for public printing are made of Pensions. for the several Departments, and in the appropriations for the War De­ The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the partment an item would be assigned to this bureau. amendment of the committee. [Putting the question.] The noes ap­ Mr. EDMUNDS. I think so myself, but I wish to make it so clear pear to have it. The noes have it. that there can not be any difficulty about it. . Mr. .ALLISON. I do not stand upon this, but I think the amend­ Mr. MANDERSON. I certainly have no objection to the amend­ ment ought to be adopted. ment proposed by the Senator from Vermont, although it seems to me Mr. HALE. Take the vote over again. that could be well reached in the sundry civil bill. Mr. .ALLISON. The Surgeon-General says that two hundred and But I should like the chairman of the Committee on Appropriations eighty in that particular department are enough. to state the necessity for this proviso. .As I understand it there are Mr. CULLOM. May I ask whether this surplus that he has, if be printing presses and printers employed in the Surgeon-General's Office has any, has not been loaned to the Adjutant-General for other work and a certain class of printing is done there. If it is advisable to pertaining to pensions, and wbetberifthesewere dropped the Adjutant­ adopt this proviso as to that office it seems to me that it is equally de­ General would get an increased force? sirable that it should apply to the Adjutant-General's Office. A cer­ Mr. .ALLISON. The twenty clerks are already dropped out. In tain class of printing could be done at the Public Printing Office for line 1645 there is an appropriation for eighty-nine clerks at $1,000 each. both the office of the Surgeon-General and the .Adjutant-General . .At present there is a torce of one hundred and nine clerks, so that the There may be reasons for this that I know nothing about, and I would Surgeon-General says that the words " three hundred" should be ask some explanation from the chairman of the committee. stricken out and "two hundred and eighty" inserted, as twenty clerks Mr. ALLISON. The only reason that the committee had for mak­ who are dropped out are now on that roll. ing this amendment is that it has been the policy, so far as we can, to Mr. CULLOM. In the Adjutant-General's Office? do all the public printing for the Departments at the Government Mr. .ALLISON. They have been detailed in the .Adjutant-General's Printing Office, and to endeavor as fur as possible to gather in the Pub­ Office. lic Printing Office all the public printing. Mr. EDMUNDS. These are exclusively employed on a particular .As far as I know the printing being done at the Surgeon-General's branch of business. Office is not printing that is authorized by law. I do not see exactly Mr. CULLOM. I wish to know whether by this amendment the pen­ how they do this printing unless they do it out of their contingent sion force is not going to be diminished in the aggregate in the differ­ fund. There is no authorized printing office in any Department of the ent bureaus? Government, so far as I know, at this time. There is a branch print­ Mr. .ALLISON. It would diminish it twenty, as I understand. ing office in the Treasury Department, but t.bat is under the Public Mr. CULLOM. That is the point, and I think it ought not to be Printer. diminished. Mr. MANDERSON. I presume the chairman is aware Q( the fact · Mr. EDMUNDS. But it does not apply in this case; it is merely that there is printing done in the office of the .Adjutant-General. what they shall do. Mr.. ALLISON. So I have been informed. Mr. CULLOM. But I want all the force they have there, and more Mr. H.A. WLEY. And in several other places. too. · Mr. MANDERSON. There may be other bureans that do so. I do The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair understands that there is not know that I object to the proviso, but it seems to me that it should uo question before the Senate. go further and apply to all the bureaus. 6342 CONGRESSIONAL REOORD-SENATE. JUNE 30, I /

Mr. TELLER. I should like to call attention to this provision in and his assistant declare should be corrected. ·It grew up in this way: the Revised Statutes: The officer in charge of the trusses and artificial arms and legs has a Sxc. 3786. fUl printing, bindinl!.', and blank books for the Senate or House of little appropriation for printing circulars, &c., for his particular bureau. Representatives and the executive and judicial departments shall be done at He got much of that printing done, nevertheless, in the little printing­ the Government _Printing Office, except in cases otherwise provided by law. room of the Surgeon-General's Office, but some of it they could not do That is the statute. They have no business to print anything. there; their presses and their forms are not adapted to the work. Mr. MANDERSON. But they do print, and they print in other Then, wholly without authority of law, he went and contracted with bureaus. My idea is that we should reach the evil wherever it exists. some persons in the city for doing it, and a partner is in one of those Mr. TELLER. That is a fact, and in some of the Departments they firms. The work is done in several firms, but' the partner in one of have printed in violation of this statute, and they have usually paid them is a clerk in the office. It was done through no collusion or cor­ it out of the contingent fund. That ought not to be allowed. Neither ruption so far as any officer of the department is concerned, but it was the Surgeon-General nor the Adjutant-General has a right to apply a a viollition of the law. The Surgeon-General was very sorry to hear dollar of their money for that purpose. of it: and for the first time in the interview stated by the Senator from Mr. MANDERSON. I agree to that. ~Iissouri appeared to understand what had been done there, and said Mr. TELLER. Their accounts ought not to be settled if they do it should be corrected. that, unless they can show a specific statute authorizing them to print. M:r. HALE. Does not the Senator from Connecticut think from the The practice has been discontinued in some of the Departments within showing that the safe thing for the Senate to do would be to enforce the last three years, I know. the law, and let the printing for the Snrgeon-Geneml's Office be done Mr. HAWLEY. I do not know whether there may or may not have as it is done in other bureaus and other Departments generally, at the been any statute passed since the statutes were revised that relieves Government Printing Office? We have built up at an enormous ex­ these officers, but of course the letter of the statute does forbid any pense and equipped it with a great force and have appropriated money such printing. However, as a matter of fact, there are little printing­ without stint for the Government Printing Office. There is hardly presses of small cost and consequen~ in four or five or six Departments any bureau but that if yon will let it have its way will not run a little of the Government. printing-press of its own. I am willing to disagree to the amendment for this reason: The Sur­ That it is not needed is proved by the fact that the Pension Office, geon-General's Office has a large variety of very small printing to be which deals more in these small circulars and in forms such as those done for all its communications from all the medical posts in the Army, shown by the Senator from Connecticut.than any other Department or for the work in the Pension Department where slips are constantly pre­ bureau of the Government, has no printing office, but looks out before­ pared. In short, here is a specimen. [Exhibiting.] This book is a hand for its wants, and when it thinks it will need a set of blanks looks regular book, in which is filed a copy of each document that has been out long enough beforehand to get them and sends a requisition to the J.>rinted for them on their own little presses. They are of very small Public Printer and he furnishes them. We shall have the whole sub­ consequence apparently, little blanks necessary for various reports of ject in our grasp then. different kinqs, little blanks necessary to be used by the two hundred So long as we enforce that statute and have the printing done at the and eighty or three hundred clerks who are in the pension department Public Printing Office no such abuse as we disclose here in the Surgeon­ of the Surgeon-General's Office. General's Office will grow up. If that law is not to be enforced let us Mr. EDMUNDS. Why can they not be printed at the Public Print­ repeal it, and let the old way go on of printing around broadcast here ing Office? · and at large. There are a few left, I think, as the Senator from Con­ Mr. HAWLEY. I was going on to state. Twenty years ago, I sup­ necticut says, but wherever we find them I think we ought to uproot pose before the statute probably, two presses were bought in the Sur­ them. geon-General's Office, together costing about $600. They are now worth Mr. HAWLEY. If this is to be enforced in all the Departments, and as old iron about $25, perhaps, because the modern presses have su- I am not about to say that it is not wise to do it, I would make no fur­ perseded presses of that kind. . ther objection, but I think this particular matter is a matter of economy Mr. TELLER. The statute I have read was passed in 1860. and great convenience in that department. Mr. HA.WLEY. Then it was before they began this practice. If The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on the amendment of they send one of these little orders up there of two hundred, two hun­ the Senator from Vermont [1\Ir. EDMUNDS] to the amendment of the dred and fifty, or .five hundred little forms and blanksofvariouskinds, committee. The amendment to the amendment will be stated. it takes its place at the tail of perhaps two hundred or five hundred The CHIEF CLERK. It is proposed to add to the amendment: orders for aught I know from all the executive branches of the Govern­ .And charged to the appropriations made by law applica.ble•to such service. ment, and it may come around in two or three weeks iftheyhave good luck, it may be there in four weeks, it may be there in six weeks. The amendment to the amendment was agreed to. Now they go into a back room in the old Surgeon-General's Office, The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chief Clerk suggests that the which used to be a kitchen, and with a cheap hand-press they strike off Chair shall ask if the Senator from Iowa would like to have the words in an hour or two hours these blanks. That is the extent of the print­ stricken out that he suggested. ing they can do. Senators can see if any desire to do so these little Mr. ALLISON. I will let it go. blanks and cards and slips. :?!fr. COCKRELL. Let it go the way it is. I think it is a matter of economy and dispatch of business, as they 1\Ir. ALLISON. I offer no amendment. have some clerks who are likewise printers, and when they are not re­ The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the quired at this work they go on with their regular clerical work, and amendment of the committee as amended. the type that they have there some of it is type they had in the begin­ The amendment as amended was agreed to. ning, and with the light use they give it it does not wear out very fast. The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment of the I do not belie>e that the whole plant they have got there is worth Committee on Appropriations was to strike out the clause from line $1,500. 1696 to 1707, inclusive, as follows: Office of Publication of Records of the Rebellion : For one agent, $2,000; three Mr. COCKRELL. I think this amendment should be sanctioned. clerks of class 4, one of whom shall be employed on the general index; two I think a very vicious practice has sprung up in the Surgeon-General's clerks of class 3; one clerk of class 2; three clerks of class 1; three copyists, at Office. I think that little printing is exceedingly expensive. They $900 each; one foreman of printing, at 51,600; one compositor and !Jres man, $1,200; one compositor, SJ ,000; two copy-holders, at $900 each: two assistant have, as the record shows, in charge of the printing in the Surgeon­ messengers; two watchmen ; and one laborer. at $600; in all, 27,380. General's Office, Mr. Joseph R. Rose, a clerk of class 4, at $1,800, his brother at $1, 4.00, another clerk at $1,600, another clerk at $1,400, one Mr. ALLISON. I ask that this amendment be passed over for the · at $1,200, and another one at $1,200. The brother, Henry L. Rose, is present. a partner in the firm of Joseph Bart & Co., and they have had printing The PRESIDING OFFICER. The amendment will be passed over out of the appropriation for supplying limbs and trusses to the soldiers if there be no objection. done at this private printing office where the brother is a partner and The reading of the bill was resumed. The next amendment t>f the paid for out of that fund. I submit that when that thing has grown Committee on Appropriations was, in line 1708, afterthe word" for," up in this Department it is time to stop it. to strike out "the superintendent of;" in line 1709, after the word . Mr. EDMUNDS. That is true; yon are right about it. "streets," to strikeout "$250;" in line 1710, after the word ''dollars," Mr. COCKRELL. I knew the fads before, but this occurred in the to insert "one fireman;" in line 1712, after the word "watchmen," presence of the Senator from Connecticut and the Surgeon-General and to strikeout "two laborers" and insert "three laborers, one of whom, his assistant out of the month of the chief of the division. I knew when necessary, shall assist and relieve the conductor of the elevator;'' the facts before, and it was in consequence of my knowledge of these in line 1714, before the words '' one laborer,'' to strike out ''and;'' in facts that .this amendment was put in the bill. I do not say there has line 1715, after the word ''dollars," to insert. "and four charwomen, . been any swindling or anything of that kind-! am not making those at $240 each; '' and in line 1716, n,fter the word ''all,'' to strike out charges; but when that kind of a practice has grown up the thing ought "six. thousand six. hundred and fifty," and insert "eight thousand seven to be stopped and you can only stop it in this way. hundred and forty;" so as to mnke the clause read: Mr. HAWLEY. I knew the Senator would bring forward that case. For the building at the corner of F n.nd Seventeenth streets, one engineer, $1.,000; one fireman: conductor of elevator, $720 · four watchmen, three labor­ It is right he should. It is an abuse that did grow up in one bureau ers, one of whom, when necessary, sha lln..,sist and relieve the conductor of the of the Surgeon-General's Department, and which the Surgeon-Geneml elevator; one laborer, at $!SO; and four charwomen, at $240 each; in an, $i,74.0. 1886. CONGRESSIONAL REOORD-SENATE. 6343

Mr. EDMUNDS. Is all that force for that one building at Seven- TO BE SECOND LIEUTENANTS IN' THE ARMY. teenth and F streets? Oorps of Engineers. l\Ir. ALLISON. Yes, sir. Cadet rank. The amendment was agreed to. The next amendment was, in line 1732, after the words" necessary 1. Cadet Henry C. Newcomer, vice Waterman, promoted. expenses," to strike out "fifty-eight" and insert "sixty;" so as to First Regiment of Cavalry. make the clause read: 31. Cadet Peter E. Traub, vice 0. J". Brown, promoted. For contingent expenses of the office of the Secretary of War and the bureaus, buildings (except the War Department building), and offices of the War Depart­ Second Regiment of Cavalry. ment; purchase of professional and scientific books, card catalogues, blank­ books, pamphlets, newspapers, maps, furnitnre, carpets, matting, oil-cloth, file­ 20. Cadet John T. Nance, vice O'Brien, nominated to the Senate for en es, towels, ice, brooms, soap, sponges, fuel, gas, and heating apparatus; tele­ promotion. . graphing; freight and express charges; repairs to buildings and furniture; and 28. Cadet William H. Bean~ vice Brett, nominated to the Senate for for other absolutely necessary expenses, 560,000. promotion. The amendment was agreed to. Thi1·d Regiment of Cavalry. The next amendment was, in the appropriations for "public build­ ings and grounds,'' in line 1775, before the words ''for Armory Square,'' 7. Cadet Arthur Thayer, vice Morgan, nominated to the Senate for to strike out "two" and insert "one;" after the words "Executive promotion. Mansion,',. at the end of line 1778, to strike out ''eleven'' and insert 15. Cadet Cecil Stewart, viee Boughton, entitled to promotion from "ten;" and in line 1780, after the word "each," to strike out "seven January 27, 1885. thousand two hun