H. OF R.] Kent county (Del.) Memorial. [APRIL 14, 1834. business as shipbuilders and shipowners, and the kin-it is to float, (and a more beautiful sight, sir, is not to be dred branches of industry. As this is a memorial of a witnessed as the work of human art,) instead of being character somewhat different from any which have been permitted to indulge an honest and cheerful pride in the presented before, I beg leave to state its purport and char-work of their hands, the assurance of present comfort acter rather more particularly than might otherwise be and future profitable employment, behold only their livepermitted. I would first observe, that the number of lihood gradually wasting away, their occupation approachnames subscribed to it is not large. No attempt has been ing a close, and distress and want drawing near to them. made to swell the list. From my general knowledge of The memorialists do not confine their attention to their the state of public sentiment in most parts of my district, own immediate interests. They state, and state truly, and especially in this portion of it, I think I may safely that all other branches of industry are also suffering; that say that the signatures of four-fifths of the citizens of all other manufactures are affected as well as their ownMedford could have been obtained for a memorial like the manufacture of ships; that building of every kind is that which I have the honor to present. The object of checked, and all improvements usually going on in a those who have prepared it was to submit certain facts to prosperous community suddenly brought to a stand. the serious consideration of this body-facts of necessity It is explicitly stated by these memorialists that they known to the memorialists; and proved, I beg leave to regard the financial policy of the Government as radicalsay, sir, as fully by their attestations, as they could be byly unsound; that no success can attend the experiment any number of signatures, however large. undertaken to dispense with the use of a convertible paThe memorialists, sir, are the inhabitants of the village per currency, and that the prosecution of this experi of Medford, a small, but pleasant, and hitherto thriving inent can only end in the increase of the present severe and prosperous village in the vicinity of Boston. It pos- distress. They look to Congress for the relief of their sesses great facilities for shipbuilding; and it is a fact own sufferings and those of their fellow-citizens, in the which the House may deem somewhat curious, that the restoration of the relations which have hitherto subsisted first vessel which (as far as is known) was built in the between the Bank of the United States, the Treasury, North American colonies was launched at Medford, more and the business of the country, or in some other measthan two hundred years ago, on the fourth of July, and jure of equivalent effect. under the auspicious name of the "Blessing of the Bay." I will only add, sir, that this memorial is purely a On the river which flows through the village of Med-business matter; and if there is among the signers an inford, within the space of one mile, and at every bend of dividual who can be called a politician, in the unfavorable the river which furnishes sufficient reach for a launch, sense of the term, it is not known to me; nor do I bethere have been established five ship yards within the lieve there is such an individual on the list. It is respectspace of thirty years. During the last three years, the fully submitted to the House as a statement of important number of vessels built, or now in course of building, is facts. forty, averaging from four to five hundred tons each, and consequently adding to the commercial marine of the country an aggregate of eighteen thousand tons. The memorial was ordered to be printed, with the names subscribed to it. KENT COUNTY (DEL.) MEMORIAL. Mr. MILLIGAN, of Delaware, rose, and said that he had received, some days since, from several gentlemen appointed for the purpose, a copy of a memorial adopted at a late meeting of the citizens of Kent county, in the State of Delaware, together with certain resolutions passed on that occasion, which he had been requested to lay before the House. I take upon me to say, sir, that the ships built at Medford are equal to any built in the United States of America. Their character is known to all persons conversant with navigation; and it is no exaggeration to say that the ocean does not bear upon its broad bosom better vessels than are launched from the ship yards of these memorialists. Within the last year, sir, thirteen contracts for ships were taken at Medford; which ships have been built, or are in a course of construction. From fifteen to twenty The memorial (said Mr. M.) is numerously signed, other contracts were offered, but declined for want of containing, as I am informed, the names of 736 persons, shipwrights and other artificers to construct them. In all of whom are qualified voters, residing in that county. building these vessels, from two hundred and fifty to three It relates to the yet agitating question of the removal of hundred workmen found constant employment and good the public deposites, complains of the unhappy influence wages. Your memorialists supposed themselves engaged of that measure upon their business and pursuits, traces in a permanent business; their fixtures and all other ar- the present deranged condition of the currency, with all in rangements were calculated on this assumption. They attendant evils, to that source-and, in the ardent lanknew that the amount of the great staples of the country, guage of intelligent freemen, denounces that act as an and the general commerce of the globe, (in which the unconstitutional and arbitrary exercise of power on the shipping of the United States has always borne its part,) part of the Executive. were in a state of rapid augmentation. It is therefore The resolutions re-echo the sentiments of the memowith equal astonishment and alarm that they find a sud-rial; and, after declaring that a restoration of the public den suspension of all new undertakings in this branch of deposites to the Bank of the United States is imperiousindustry. It is stated by the memorialists that, in the ly called for as a measure of justice to that institution, place of thirteen vessels contracted for, and more than and expressing the opinion that it is the only remedy to that number for which contracts were necessarily decli- restore confidence, and thus alleviate the present distress ned, during the last year, no new contracts have been prevailing in the community, conclude with requesting tendered since the commencement of the present finan- the Senators and Representative in Congress from that cial policy of the Government. The memorialists justly State to use their best efforts to procure the passage of represent, as the consequence of this policy, that the cap-a law for that purpose. ital which they have employed in shipbuilding must, of I am aware, Mr. Speaker, (said Mr. M.) of the mannecessity, be gradually disengaged; the skill now honora- ner in which the rule with regard to petitions has lately bly and profitably exercised become useless; and the la- been enforced, and do not wish to infringe it. I feel bor which finds occupation and reward must be left un-called upon, however, to make a remark or two, which employed. They invoke the attention of the House to I trust will not be considered as altogether irrelevantthe peculiarly disastrous condition of those now in their one in particular. It is, that when the House are informemploy, who, as each successive vessel, on which they ed that the section of country from whence this petition have been employed, descends to the element on which and these resolutions emanate is almost exclusively agr APRIL 15, 1834.] North Carolina and Georgia Memorials-Death of Mr. Dennis. cultural in its character; that the price of two articles, wheat and Indian corn, which constitute its great staple productions, has fallen from twenty-five to thirty per cent., and that hardly any other farm produce can command a market, they will cease to wonder that, under the pressure of such a visitation, the voice of this district should join the general chorus of complaint that has been pouring in upon us for the last three or four months from all quarters of this once happy and prosperous Union. [H. OF R. motion to lay on the table withdrawn by the member from North Carolina. Mr. GRAHAM withdrew his motion for the purpose of giving members an opportunity to debate the subject. The SPEAKER said the Honse were to determine, as the proceedings had been read, what disposition should be given to the papers. Mr. WAYNE said it was the wish of many members that they should be again read, and he concurred with them in this desire; as it was his intention to move afterwards that the paper should not be received by the House. The memorial and resolutions were read a second time. Mr. WAYNE expressed his desire that the gentleman from North Carolina would withdraw the papers, or postpone any action upon them, as any debate which must arise would interfere with the presentation of other peti tions. May I be permitted to add, sir, that I am rejoiced my constituents have thus unveiled their condition. [Here the SPEAKER interfered-Mr. M. explained.] I do not wish, sir, (said Mr. M.,) to question the judgment of the honorable Speaker with regard to the interpretation of the rules, but I must say I think it a harsh construction which would prevent my adding that the right of petition is an unquestionable privilege, which belongs to every man, and that, in my judgment, it s by its exercise, and Mr. GRAHAM said he could not accede to this, for he by following out the sentiments adopted at their late had a duty to perform to his constituents, who had a right meeting, that they can ultimately obtain a redress of to insist that their petition should be presented by him, grievances. I trust they will so continue to speak and to and, taking the usual course, that it should be laid on act. Events have lately transpired that should fill them the table. The only word, as it appeared to him, at with hope, and carry joy and gladness to the heart of which offence could be taken, was the word "" 'potevery patriot. [Here the SPEAKER again called Mr. M. house." This was a word the petitioners had underto order, as stating what was not in the petition or reso- stood was used by the honorable Senator from Georgia, lutions.] I wish merely to add, sir, (said Mr. M.,) that in his place in the Senate, when he stated there that the public suffering, every where, has at length aroused the petitions were got up in such places. The petitioners, slumbering energy of public indignation, and a change is in using it, therefore, only throw the word back to the going on which must soon terminate an "experiment," place whence it came. It was not a word of their that would otherwise, while it brought bankruptcy to the coinagecitizen, bring ruin to the nation. The SPEAKER interposed. It was not in order to refer to language used in the Senate. Mr. GRAHAM renewed his motion to have the memorial laid on the table, &c. As the Chair seems to be impatient, I purposely omit many suggestions which this subject awakens, and have nothing further to say, but to express the wish that the proud little State to which I have the honor to belong, A desultory conversation, as to the disposition to be and of which the county where these petitioners reside made of the papers, then arose, in which Messrs. WILforms an important part, will not be backward in follow-LIAMS, MERCER, WAYNE, and McKINLEY particiing good examples; that, as she was among the fore-pated. most in fighting the battles of the Revolution, she will not be among the last in this contest for civil rights. I now ask that these papers have the same direction that has been given to others of a kindred description, presented this morning, to wit: read, laid on the table, and printed, with the names. Agreed to. BURKE COUNTY (N. C.) MEMORIAL. Mr. GRAHAM rose to present a memorial with resolu tions, adopted at a meeting of the inhabitants of Burke county, North Carolina, held at Morgantown, on the 27th of March last, which he moved to have read, laid on the table, and printed. Mr. WAYNE finally moved that the papers should not be received. Mr. McKINLEY moved to lay this motion on the table; which motion was agreed to. So the question of the reception of the memorial stands over for further debate. SAVANNAH (GEO.) MEMORIAL. Mr. GAMBLE presented a memorial from citizens of Savannah, strongly opposed to the conduct of the administration in the removal of the deposites. He read a brief analysis of the contents of the memorial, and commenced a course of remarks in relation to it, which were arrested The resolutions were in approval of the conduct of by the Speaker, it not being allowed by the rule respectMr. Senator Mangum for his prompt and manly vindica-ing the presentation of memorials. tion of them, as signers of a former petition for the res Mr. G. thereupon asked leave of the House to submit toration of the deposites, &c., from offensive imputations his remarks. The question was put, and the vote stood, which were cast on them by a Senator from Georgia; ayes 58, noes 49. No quorum having voted, a motion and they condemned the conduct of Mr. Senator Brown, was made to adjourn, which not having a quorum voting for representing that these former proceedings came be- on it, a motion was made for a call of the House, when a fore Congress in a questionable shape," &c. They re- second motion to adjourn succeeded; and soived "that the opprobrious epithets cast upon the proThe House adjourned. ceedings of the meeting in January last, by the honorable John Forsyth, a Senator from Georgia, a gentleman of known courtesy in debate, can only be accounted for by supposing the honorable Senator was more than ordinarily exhilarated, but whether from the influence of 'a pot-house' or the palace, this meeting deem immaterial," and they approve of the bill for extending the charter of the Bank of the United States. Mr. McKINLEY remarked that some of the matter contained in the resolutions was of such a character that the papers ought not to be received. Mr. WAYNE suggested the propriety of having the TUESDAY, APRIL 15. Mr. STODDERT, of Maryland, rose, and addressed the House as follows: Mr. Speaker: In announcing the death of LITTLETON PURNELL DENNIS, a Representative on this floor from the State of Maryland, I discharge a sad and solemn duty. Not a week has elapsed since he mingled in the deliberations, and co-operated in the active duties of this House: he now sleeps the sleep of death. What an im H. OF R.] The Public Deposites-The General Appropriation Bill. [APRIL 16, 17, 1834. pressive illustration of the instability of human life-" of chair,) and resumed the consideration of the general ap. what shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue!" propriation bill for the civil and diplomatic expenses of The deceased stood to me, sir, in the double relation of the Government for the year 1834; and the question colleague and friend. I knew him long and well. He being generally on the amendment proposed by Mr. was a useful, benevolent, and estimable man, and has VANCE, of Ohio, consisting of numerous distinct items, finished his course in honor. He was no tame and ordi- and especially upon the following item, viz: to reduce the nary character; and although his modesty may have de- salary of the Commissioner of the General Land Office to layed the development of his faculties for public service, $2,000during his brief connexion with this House, his State is The question was taken without debate, and decided in not left without proofs of his legislative prudence and the negative: Ayes 55, noes 77. skill. He served her in both branches of her Legislature | The next item proposes to reduce the salaries of all the for many years, with honor and ability. He was well clerks in the four Departments, and in the General Land gifted by nature, well educated, and well principled. Office, 25 per cent.; the question being in like manner His native sagacity, sound judgment and decision, and put on this item, it was negatived: Ayes 43, noes 85. purity of purpose, made him what he was-a capable and honest public agent. The brave, generous, open, and manly qualities of his nature secured him the confidence and affections of the people among whom he lived, and made it their delight to honor him. Resolved, That the members of this House will attend the funeral of the late LITTLETON PURNELL DENNIS at 12 o'clock to-morrow. The next item deducts 25 per cent. from the salaries of all officers of the customs, and provides that their income shall in no case exceed $3,000. The clause having been read Mr. VANCE said that he had looked back into the He is gone hence, sir; but his memory will survive, history of this Government, in order to compare the exembalmed in the kindly regards of those who knew and penses of the branch of the administration which respect appreciated his noble and manly qualities, and unembit-ed the collection of the customs at former periods with tered and untarnished by a single act of meanness, injus- those incurred at present, and he found that, in 1802, we tice, and oppression. He died, as he had lived, deserving had, in all, dispersed throughout the whole country, but and possessing the warm-hearted esteem of many, the ill-577 custom-house officers; while, in 1832, they amount. will of none. As the last act of respectful duty which it ed to 1,600. The number employed in New York alone remains for friendship to perform, I move you, sir, the fol- was, in 1832, 332, who received in salaries almost a lowing resolutions: much money as had been paid, in the economical days of Mr. Jefferson, to the like officers throughout the Union; 30 custom-house officers in the city of New York were now in the receipt of $80,437, while 332 others, at The gentleman that port, were receiving $408,791. from Indiana [Mr. LANE] had pledged himself that, if he could be shown that any officers under this Government were receiving more salary than was fit and right, be would vote to reduce their allowance. Now, Mr. V. had made an estimate of the receipts of twenty of these cus tom-house officers, who were receiving the highest salOrdered, That a message be sent to the Senate to noti-aries; and he found that the joint receipts of these 20 in fy that body of the death of LITTLETON P. DENNIS, dividuals amounted to $115,000, averaging $5,750 » late one of the Representatives from the State of Mary-piece. If this fact was not sufficient to satisfy the gentle land, and that his funeral will take place to-morrow, at man that the system would bear some depletion, he was 12 o'clock, from the Hall of the House of Representatives. at a loss to conceive what would. The above resolutions and order were unanimously who, together, were receiving $218,054. These, it must be allowed, were full large salaries, especially when it adopted; and then was remembered how much the value of money had ap preciated. Resolved, That a committee be appointed to take order for superintending the funeral of LITTLETON PURNELL DENNIS, deceased, late a member of this House from the State of Maryland. Resolved, That the members of this House will testify their respect to the memory of LITTLETON PURNELL DENNIS, by wearing crape on the left arm for thirty days. The House adjourned. THURSDAY, APRIL 17. THE PUBLIC DEPOSITES. The House resumed the consideration of the resolution offered by Mr. MARDIS, with the amendment thereto by Mr. CORWIN. The motion was to lay the resolution and the amend ment on the table. Mr. CLAY said, as many gentlemen seemed still anxious to continue this interminable discussion, notwithstanding the House had decided the questions involved by it, he would not oppose the discussion, and should therefore withdraw the motion to lay the resolution and amendment. on the table. Mr. MCKENNAN then obtained the floor, and the consideration of the subject was postponed by unanimous There were 73 others Mr. V. went on to state that he had further compared the expenditures of 1802 with those of 1832, in the three principal commercial cities of the Union, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, and the result was as follows: 1802. 1832. Leaving the small balance of Jefferson economy ever Jackson retrenchment and reform of $471,610! Mr. V. then proceeded to show what would be the re sult of adopting the item under consideration, and stated the following: Now paid to postmasters, Deduct one-fourth, - Total saving, $826,000 206,00 With these statements (which are given by us from the ear, but are believed to be nearly correct) he cheerful”, left the subject to the committee. APRIL 17, 1834.] The General Appropriation Bill. [H. of R. Mr. CAGE said he was ready to go with the gentle-members to resort to an appropriation bill to introduce man from Ohio, in every step he would take in this mat-these curtailments. If he could have any assurance that ter of reform, if he could only agree with him as to the the House would raise a committee who should bring in a road they should travel; but he could not consent to take report regulating all the salaries of the officers of Govthe gentleman's road. Mr. C. had little doubt there ernment, and place them on a proper footing, in proporwere more custom-house officers in the employ of the tion to the duties to be performed, he should be happy Government than were necessary; and he was willing to to dispense with the amendment now under consideration; go for a reduction of their number. But he was one who but, until gentlemen should make some pledge to this ef believed that public officers should be well paid. Let fect, he was compelled to go into the appropriation bill, their duties be distinctly prescribed and rigidly exacted; although he confessed he thought that a most inappropri but let them be liberally rewarded. Give them as much ate place for the introduction of these measures. labor as they could perform; but pay them well. This Mr. VANCE signified his acceptance of the amendwas the reform he wanted to see. The present multi-ment now proposed, as a modification of his own. tude of officers were scattered over the whole Union; Mr. CAMBRELENG observed that he entirely conand all drew their living from the treasury. Was it not curred in the sentiment expressed by the gentleman from natural, might it not be expected, that they would throw North Carolina, [Mr. BARRINGER,] as to the propriety of all their influence in favor of those who had the control raising a committee to inquire into and regulate the salaof the treasury? But, if their numbers should be re-ries of Government officers. Whenever the gentleman duced and their duties increased, they would not have would introduce a proposition of that kind, he should time to interfere as electioneerers, nor go beyond the have Mr. C.'s vote. He thought it was high time that privilege of every freeman, to give their votes as citizens the expenditures of this Government should be inquired of the republic. When the gentleman should get up into more cautiously than had heretofore been done. such a reform as this, he was ready to give it his support; Whenever the question of the revenue should come up, but he did not consider this as the proper place to intro- Mr. C. proposed to present his views somewhat more at duce such a measure, nor was he satisfied that the amend-large upon that subject. He would now merely say that ment, in its present form, was right; he therefore could the state of the country called for economy in our exnot support it. No doubt, should the salaries be reduced penses. This question of the salaries of custom-house as proposed, the offices would still be filled. They officers had not escaped the attention of the committees might be cut down to the very minimum of possible sub- of the House, When he had belonged to the Committee sistence, and yet men would be found willing and glad on Commerce, that committee had been called upon to to take them: but what sort of men would they be? report on this subject. He had thought at that time that Such men as wanted capacity to get a living in any other the compensation of different grades of officers was very mode. But let the Government employ only a sufficient unequally distributed. It had, however, so happened, number of officers, and let them be well and liberally that the Secretary of the Treasury had not been able to paid, and then the public service would be properly communicate to them in time the necessary information, done. They would then get men who knew their duty, and, in consequence of the frequent changes since then, and would do it. Let the other course be pursued, and in that Department, no report upon the subject had been the public service would become the prey of a horde of obtained. But when such a committee should be raised drones, who would be content with any pittance for as the gentleman had now referred to, they would, of bread, and who would resort to the polls, and throw the course, make the necessary inquiries through the Departwhole weight of their numbers into whichever party ment, and lay the result before the House. scale would be most likely to promote their personal advantage by keeping them in office. Mr. C. went into some explanations in respect to the markers and weighers, referring to the number of hands Mr. BARRINGER offered an amendment to the amend- they had to employ, &c. The inspectors received a little ment proposed by Mr. YANCE. The latter went to limit over $1,000, which he did not think was at all too much. the highest salary to be received by any officer of the cus- These officers were, in effect, the guards of the revenue, toms to $3,000. Mr. B. desired to introduce a discrimi- and sound policy would dictate rather an increase than a nation, and not have this general limitation. There were diminution in the compensation they received. Mr. C. custom-house officers of different grades and with very said, that what was most wanting was, that these salaries different duties. Some were collectors, others supervi- should be equalized. He had been instructed by the sors, inspectors, weighers, gaugers, &c. If you would Committee of Ways and Means to propose the establishlook at the Blue Book, they would perceive that, in the ment of salaries for a class of those officers who perform manner in which the salaries were at present graduated, laborious duty, and yet, under the present arrangement, there was a palpable absurdity. An inspector of the got almost nothing for it. These things required lookcustoms often got less than a marker; and weighers and ing into. He should be glad of a committee to investigaugers received more than surveyors. This dispropor-gate the whole subject. The gentleman from Ohio had tion arose from the fees attached to those lower offices. stated very truly the great increase in the expense of colThere was one marker in the city of New York, who re- lecting the revenue. But he must remember how that ceived $4,300, which was more than the collector got. increase was resisted, and how reluctantly it had been In Philadelphia a weigher or gauger got, in some cases, granted. The acts of 1832 and 1833 had greatly in$3,000 a year; in one case, indeed, an individual received creased the number of custom-houses, and had almost upwards of $6,000 in a year. The amendment he pro- doubled the number of inspectors, for all the merchanposed was, to limit the salary of a collector to $3,000; of dise of a certain kind had now to be deposited in customsurveyors and inspectors to $2,500; and of weighers, houses. He concurred with the gentleman from Ohio, markers, and all other officers of the customs to $2,000. and the gentleman from North Carolina, [Messrs. VANCE He did not propose to make any alteration as to perqui- and BARRINGER,] in desiring to see some check put upon sites, &c., but only to establish a limit beyond which they the march of public expenditure; it must soon be checked, should not go. Inspectors, at present, received, on an or it would outstrip all bounds of reason and moderation. average, from $1,000 to $1,500; but there were cases Mr. BARRINGER said that he had been aware of what where their emoluments rose to two or three times that had been stated as to the markers employing subordinates amount. Mr. B. said, before he took his seat, he must to assist them; and, on that account, their salary, in the But he obbe allowed one word on the singular position in which the Blue Book, was marked with an asterisk. House now stood, and which obliged a portion of its served no such mark opposite to the salary of the markers H. OF R.] The General Appropriation Bill. [APRIL 17, 1834. at New York; of whom one received $4,300, another in other places were comparatively small, and yet it was $2,800, and so on. He did not doubt the duty could be precisely in these latter districts that the chief danger of just as well done for $1,000. And he would now give smuggling existed. Suitable men could never be obtainnotice, if he had any hope of success, that he should, ed for such stations, unless the compensation should be to-morrow, move for the appointment of a committee to raised. Mr. R. agreed with the gentleman from New reduce and equalize the salaries paid by this Government Jersey, [Mr. PARKER,] that something ought to be done; to its public officers. He had, to be sure, but little hope but that gentleman considered the present bill as the that such a measure would succeed; but if no one else wrong place to do a good thing. If he would show him would make the motion, he should. the right place, he would thank him very much. He had Mr. PARKER addressed the House at length, in a been for five years constantly looking for a good place to speech which was but imperfectly heard, owing to his do a good thing, but he had never yet been able to find situation in the House, but which was in substance under-it. Supposing a member of the House not to be a memstood to be as follows: ber of the Committee of Ways and Means, how was he to He explained the reason why an asterisk was appended get at any object of reform he had in view? He might, in some cases, and not in others, to the salary of marker, perhaps, get leave to offer a resolution. It was referred in the Blue Book. He professed himself willing to join to the Committee of Ways and Means, but it might as with any gentleman in the House in a plan to revise well be sent to the dome of the Capitol. It would never the compensation allowed to officers of the customs, as he be heard of again. He thanked the gentleman from New believed it at present to be very unequal. He had York [Mr. CAMBRELENG] for his aid in getting up a comhimself been a collector, and got but six hundred dollars, mittee; but supposing such a committee to be appointed, while the inspector under him received one thousand. and supposing them to discover that the salary of an off. To place collectors in such circumstances was to expose cer in a particular place was too small, the moment they them to a strong temptation to shut one eye. No collector brought in a proposition to increase it, up would start of the revenue ought to receive less than one thousand one gentleman with a rider for a similar officer in New five hundred dollars. If the law fixed the maximum, it York. If that succeeded, up would start another with a ought to fix the minimum also. As the law now stood, a rider from Massachusetts; and thus they never could get collector whose salary was small was required to pay his along. The thing had been attempted, and found im own expenses, while those who received a large salary practicable. Yet now gentlemen cried out that the num had their expenses paid by Government. This certainly required a corrective. ber of officers was monstrous, and the sums paid them enormous; but as soon as a proposition was brought for Inspectors formerly received two dollars per day. ward to reduce the salary, they cried out, Oh no! this is Their salary had been raised to three dollars, and it is not the place. The Committee on Commerce had had not too much. Mr. P. here very feelingly described the this matter before them for five years; yet what had they labors and hardships endured by that class of officers. done? The Secretary of the Treasury had been changed He approved of the measure proposed by Mr. VANCE, but so often, (indeed, during part of the time, they had had thought that, according to the principle laid down by Mr. a new Secretary every month,) that nothing could be ADAMS, an appropriation bill was not the proper place to accomplished. The inquiry proposed could not be ac introduce it. As to the comparison which Mr. VANCE had made of the expenses of 1802 with those of 1832, the increase which he had stated was far less than Mr. P. should have anticipated. It was not surprising that they should have increased so much in New York; for more than half of the entire revenue of the United States was now collected at that port. complished in three months. Gentlemen talked about raising a committee in the House. This had a pleasant sound; but what would it come to? The committee would issue circulars, and the returns would be received next fall; and then a new committee must be appointed. The thing could not be got at, unless they could get s Secretary of the Treasury to stay long enough in office to The gentleman had spoken of the increase of the sums understand the matter. Till this was done, how great paid to postmasters, but he had omitted to state that the soever the evil might be, there was no remedy for it. number of postmasters had increased to eighty thousand. Gentlemen talked about diminishing these salaries by a Some of these, it was true, received two thousand dollars, committee; but who was prepared to say how it was to but some did not receive more than three dollars and be done? Mr. R. was not in possession of the requisite fifty cents. Their average salary amounted to about one light. And he would now put to the chairman of the hundred dollars. A large number of them did not make Committee of Ways and Means, as the appropriate organ, ten dollars per annum. Mr. P., however, was for exam- the inquiry, What was the reason, although the Secretary ination and reformation throughout the entire civil list, of the Treasury had been called upon five years ago, from the highest to the lowest. Mr. P. then adverted to that no report or project of reform had yet been reported the large increase of custom-house officers, which had to the House? The inequality of salaries was a subject of been rendered indispensable by the protecting tariff and serious complaint. Some, no doubt, ought to be increas the establishment of the American system. He had ed, others to be diminished. He did not know how it been a friend to that system, and had once lost his elec- was to be effected. The best mode seemed to be by the tion by it. Mr. P. bere gave a lively description of the appointment of a committee; but how could they accom system of smuggling carried on during the war upon our plish such a task in two months, or in six months? Two Northern frontier. He concluded by saying that he should years would not be sufficient. vote against all the items of Mr. VANCE's amendment, Mr. LOVE said he was sorry to be compelled to differ except that for the reduction of the members' pay. on this occasion from those with whom he was in the Mr. REED, of Massachusetts, expressed his gratifica- habit of acting in that House; but there were two reasons tion at witnessing a disposition to correct the errors of why he could not vote in favor of the amendment no the existing system of apportioning the salaries of our under consideration. In the first place, he did not think revenue officers, especially the collectors. When those this a proper mode of introducing a measure of this kin salaries had been first fixed, some equality might have and, in the second place, he was not convinced that the prevailed; but such entire changes had since taken place, salaries now paid were too large. The country had for that nothing could now be more unequal. Almost all the merly heard much on the subject of reform and retrenc importations took place in a few of our great cities; more ment. Mr. L. had thought, at the time, that the c than half of them in New York alone. The collectors' was false and hypocritical; that it had been gotten up for salaries in these cities were large. The salaries of those the purpose of putting down one administration, and pu |