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JUNE 18, 1834.]

Tolland County (Conn.) Memorial.

[SENATE.

finances. The people of Connecticut, Mr. S. said, par- rather to rejoice: for, though he could in truth boast of ticularly that part of the State from which the memorial as true and faithful friends as any man ever had, he had came, were not yet satisfied, notwithstanding all they long been convinced that his enemies had rendered him have heard to induce them to that belief, that their pecu- more essential service than his friends. niary embarrassments have been produced by speeches in But, said Mr. McK., how stands this case? He held in the Senate, or have resulted from the action of the Bank his hand a statement, made by one of the under secreof the United States. These respectable petitioners, of taries, from the Senate files, showing the number of indithe number of 736, as he had just stated, say that their viduals from Pennsylvania who had petitioned that body business as agriculturists, mechanics, and business men to restore the deposites, and also the number of those generally, was formerly prosperous, but that now, in who had remonstrated against the restoration. This inconsequence of Executive measures, they find an ex- cluded all who had actually signed memorials on both ceedingly limited market for the produce of their farms, sides, which had been presented to the Senate, during and the products of their workshops, and their manufac- the present session, from Pennsylvania, and stands thus: tories; and that many manufactories, once thriving, had from the counties of Union, Cambria, Northampton, Cumbeen under the necessity of stopping their spindles and berland, Montgomery, Adams, Mifflin, Northumberland, discharging their workmen. These petitioners, said Mr. Bradford, Susquehannah, Chester, Delaware, Lycoming, S., have been accustomed to read and reflect; they per-Huntingdon, Franklin, Lancaster, Schuylkill, Berks, Alfectly understand the condition in which they are placed, leghany, Philadelphia county and city, Pittsburg, Moyaand without entering into any argument, they express mensing and Southwark, Oxford, Byberry, Waynesbortheir honest opinions on the pecuniary embarrassments of ough, Tamaqua, Germantown, Bristol, Pottsville, and the country, and pray Congress to restore the public deposites to the bank, and to re-charter it, with certain modifications, as the only means of relieving the general distress.

Muncy creek, (towns and villages,) forty different memorials, signed by thirty-eight thousand and seven hundred freemen of Pennsylvania, complaining of distress, and praying for the restoration of the deposites; and opposed The petition was read, referred, and ordered to be to this, from Pennsylvania, are six, and only six memoprinted. rials, from Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and the county of Mr. McKEAN said he did not rise to interfere with the Schuylkill, signed by only five hundred and seventy-one prerogative of the honorable Senator from Connecticut, individuals, who remonstrate against the restoration of the nor would he obtrude upon the Senate his opinions of the deposites, exhibiting a disparity of more than sixty-seven merits or demerits of the memorial just presented by the to one, and an aggregate majority of thirty-eight thousand honorable gentleman. He had generally found it to be one hundred and twenty-nine in favor of restoring the dethe best policy to mind his own business; but he consid-posites. What is the duty of a faithful representative of ered the present a legitimate occasion, in parliamentary the people under such circumstances? Shall he, because order, as connected with the same subject, to correct all have not complained, turn a deaf ear to the thirty-nine some misstatements which were going the newspaper thousand who have laid their petitions at his feet? In rounds, in reference to himself. It had, he knew not giving his vote for the restoration of the deposites, he had how, got into print, that he should have said, in his place not consulted the mere will of the Executive, nor that of as a Senator, that a majority of the citizens of Pennsylva- any other individual; nay, he had not consulted his own nia were opposed to the removal of the deposites. Now will. He was, what he professed to be, the sincere friend he averred, in the face of the whole Senate, that he had of Andrew Jackson, though he detested many of the repnever, publicly or privately, said any such thing; nor tiles that were basking in the beams of his effulgence, should he now presume an opinion, the one way or the and, without authority, presuming to act and speak in his other. What he had said on that subject was strictly name. But he was, also, on that floor, the humble repconfined to the opinions of the petitioners whose memo-resentative, in part, of the people of Pennsylvania; and, rial he was at the time about to present, and then only in if he understood their interest, and knew their will, on cases where he had been, by letter or otherwise, request-questions of mere expediency, he would advocate the ed to do so. Why, sir, said Mr. McK., it might be con- one, and obey the other. Please or displease whom it sidered presumptuous, if not impertinent, for a Pennsyl-might, he was a party man as far as conscience would vania Senator to venture an opinion on this floor as to the permit. He abhorred and condemned alike a captious general political character of that State, when there are opposition and a blind and sycophantic devotion to any so many other gentlemen, on either side of the question, administration. who seem to understand precisely not only what the polit- He desired to examine this matter a little further. He ical sentiment of the people of Pennsylvania now is, but had another statement, made out by the same officer, what it will be in all time to come. And from these er- from the files of the Senate, which showed that there roneous statements, it had been ungenerously inferred have also been presented to the Senate, from Pennsylvathat he, Mr. McK., was not quite as good a Jackson man nia, resolutions and proceedings of thirty-five meetings of as he ought to be. It was not, he said, because he was ap- the people in their primary assemblies; also eleven corpoprehensive that if this should reach the ears of the Execu-rate bodies, and resolutions and proceedings of one genertive, that it would deprive himself and family of their daily al State convention; making in all forty-seven, all recombread, that he noticed it, but he did not like to risk the mending that the public deposites be restored: and on the injurious effects that might result to his State and consti- other side there have been only resolutions of twelve tuents by thus insidiously frittering away his well-known meetings of citizens opposed to the restoration presented influence with the present administration. He had on to the Senate from Pennsylvania. another occasion said he would vote to restore the depos Supposing the question be tested exclusively on party ites, not because his own mind had changed, nor because ground, and let the friends of General Jackson only be he believed the restoration would afford the desired re-heard, he was certainly within bounds when he said, that, lief, but because a very large majority of his constituents, of the 38,700 petitioners, there were at least 8,000 of who had expressed an opinion on the subject, had asked them General Jackson's sincere friends, and very many of for the restoration as a measure of relief, and for so doing them his most active supporters; and several of them, as he had been proscribed and denounced as a traitor by a certain well-disciplined corps, who had ceased not day nor night to pursue him since a certain period in 1829. He did not complain of this; very far from it. He ought

well as himself, were members of the electoral college in 1832, and gave him their votes. Then we have 8,000 against 571; about fourteen Jackson men in favor, to one Jackson man opposed to the restoration. So, consider it

SENATE.]

Memorials from Pennsylvania and Kentucky.

[JUNE 18, 1834.

in what light you please, either as a question of general and in a moment of pressure of other business, either to expediency, or as purely a party question, his vote was prevent the nomination of any Secretary, or that delibercorrect, if the will of the people, as expressed, was to be ate consideration which is necessary and becoming, con. considered at all binding upon the representative. He cerning the nominations submitted to them by the Presihad conscientiously listened to the complaints of the peo-dent.

ple; and, if that be treason, let his enemies make the While he was up, he would also say, that it might be most of it. well, to use the language of the President, to examine PENNSYLVANIA AND KENTUCKY MEMORIALS.gally appointed, since September last. whether we have had any Secretary of the Treasury, leCertainly there

Mr. CLAY said that he rose to discharge a duty in presenting certain memorials which had been intrusted to him. The honorable Senator from Pennsylvania had used language, and sentiments, in reference to the course which he intended to pursue, which reflected the highest honor upon him; and if that gentleman had waited a few moments, he would have the opportunity of swelling considerably the number of those citizens of Pennsylvania, who had transmitted hither their disapprobation of the acts of the Executive.

had none been appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. He considered it, however, doubtful whether the Secretary of the Treasury had ever been constitutionally appointed by the President.

He would briefly state the grounds on which he had come to this conclusion. By the constitution, it had been declared that the President should have power to fill vavancies happening during the recess, by granting commissions which shall expire at the termination of the next session. How was the fact? In the last days of the Mr. C. said he was charged with the presentation of a month of May in last year, the President had removed the memorial from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, con- Secretary of the Treasury, by placing him at the head of demning the course of the Executive in withdrawing the the Department of Foreign Affairs, and put Mr. Duane public deposites from the United States Bank, and ex-at the head of that Department. He doubted whether pressing their desire for the establishment of a national the President had a right to create a vacancy which had bank. Also, a memorial from another part of Pennsyl-not actually happened. That point, however, he was vania, highly respectable, and not perhaps much better not now disposed to stir again. The President appointed known to the Senators from Pennsylvania than to himself, the Secretary about the 30th May, and in making that apas he had not very long since passed through it. This pointment, he gave him, in conformity with the provision memorial was from Cannonsburg, where there was estab-of the constitution, a commission, on the face of which it lished a seminary of learning of a very high character. was stated that it would expire at the termination of the In this memorial, the petitioners express also their disap- next session. Thus Mr. Duane passed into office, the probation of the removal of the deposites, and their desire tenure of which had been fixed by the constitution, the for the renewal of the charter of the bank; and also their commission being made out to expire at the end of the condemnation of the protest of the President. They de- next session. Now, it had been contended on this floor clare the sentiments expressed and the powers claimed in that, if the President had sent in the gentleman now at this protest, if carried out into practical operation, would the head of the Treasury for confirmation, and he had convert our republican system into a despotism; and they been rejected, he would have still had a right, under his further express, in the highest terms, their approbation commission, to remain in office until the termination of of the conduct of the Senate. the present session. Now, if the constitution was bindHe had also received similar proceedings and resolu-ing, in this provision, on the Senate, it was also binding tions from two counties in Kentucky; one in the northern as respected the President. It must be equally obligatory part of the State, near Cincinnati, which was represented on all. How then could the President derive the power, in the other House by his colleague, Colonel Johnson. after giving to Mr. Duane a commission which would not These proceedings indicate similar sentiments from the expire until the end of the session, to turn Mr. Duane inhabitants of Boon county, as to the withdrawal of the out, and to give to Mr. Taney a similar commission? deposites and the re-charter of the bank; and express What part of the constitution had given him this power? also a decided approbation of the conduct of the Senate. Was it the power of dismissal? He did not now mean to There was a similar proceeding from Bowling Green, in call up a discussion on this point, and he regretted the the south part of the State, conveying the sentiments of impossibility of taking up the resolutions which he had a very large meeting, disapproving of the act of the Presi- offered some time ago, at the present session, pledging dent in withdrawing the public deposites, and removing himself, should he be here at another session, to call them the Secretary of the Treasury; and also disapproving the up then; but he meant to ask if the power of dismissal, claims to power, set up in the protest of the President, as it existed, was an express power to be found in the and approving of the course of the Senate in resisting constitution in so many words. It was an implied power, those claims. a power deduced, and not a power expressed. If it was He would ask that these memorials and proceedings be, an implication, were gentlemen prepared to maintain without reading, referred to the Committee on Finance. their proposition in an implied power, and, in his opinion, But he could not deny to himself the present opportunity doubtfully implied, to change the duration of the officer's of saying, that it was now upwards of twelve months since term from the time specified in the commission? Genthe country had had any Secretary of the Treasury, ap-tlemen might assume the ground that it was strange that pointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. the President should have the power to discharge a SecWe had now reached the seventh month of the session retary of the Treasury at his pleasure, and yet should not without any nomination of a Secretary of the Treasury, in have the power to discharge a Secretary while the term pursuance of the constitution. And now we had but ten of his commission was unexpired. But if the provision of days, including this day, remaining of this long and pro- the constitution be specific and obligatory, it was not for tracted session; and he would repeat, that, up to this mo- gentlemen to reason away that provision, but to comply ment, there had been no nomination of a Secretary of the with it. They could not show that the power of dismissal Treasury for the consideration and decision of the Senate. could set aside a declaration of the constitution that the He would not say what was the design of the President in commission of a Secretary appointed during the recess, thus delaying his nominations; he was incapable of ascer- should continue until the termination of the next session. taining the motives of the Executive; no human being| The clause in the constitution was unconditional. The could do so; but whether or not he so designed, the effect President shall fill up vacancies by commissions which would be to delay the nomination to the last moments, shall expire at the end of the next session. How, then,

JUNE 18, 1834.]

Kent County (R. I. ) Memorial.—General Appropriation Bill.

could he exercise the power to terminate one of these commissions at an earlier period, however he might differ from the officer in opinion?

[SENATE.

Sir, it is also stated that less specie was exported the last year than usual. The increased importation has been partly attributed to its great value here, and the exportaIf he was right in these views, the solicitude manifest- tion has been lessened in part by the same cause. But, ed by the memorialists, as to the alarming condition of sir, the operations of the United States Bank is another the United States, was entitled to attention. He would cause why it has not been exported. It is now known, not, however, consume any more of the time of the Sen-that, instead of shipping specie to Europe, and even to ate, but would conclude with asking a reference of the memorials.

The memorials were then referred, and ordered to be printed.

KENT COUNTY (R. I.) MEMORIAL.

Canton, as used to be the practice of merchants, the bills of the Bank of the United States are sent-they answer all the purposes of specie in Canton-they pay for cargoes there-thence are sent to Europe, and thence to this country, performing all the purposes of specie; leaving the specie in this country to perform the office of a circulating medium, or as the basis of a paper

Mr. KNIGHT rose and said: Mr. President, I am requested to present the memorial of upwards of 400 in-currency. habitants of the county of Kent, in the State of Rhode Sir, there is another cause, still greater, why specie has Island. They state that this county contains a population not been exported, and that is, the establishment and supof upwards of twelve thousand inhabitants; that more port of manufactures. If we manufacture for ourselves, than half the population are agriculturists; that they have we are not under the necessity of sending specie to Eunumerous manufacturing establishments in all parts of the rope to purchase the cotton and woollen cloths, axes, county, furnishing ready markets for the productions of spades, shovels, and other things we need and consume, the farmer, and employment for the laborer. As the bu-as we must do were we not manufacturers. If our sursiness of the manufacturer declines, the market and em plus produce is not paid for in manufactures of other ployment decline also. If the manufacturing business is countries, it will be paid for in specie, and the specie ruined, all feel its loss. The memorialists speak of the will be imported, and not the manufactures of foreigners. currency of the country, and of the vast importance a This appears to me to be a great cause of specie remainsound and stable currency is to them, and pray Congressing in the country. to adopt such measures to sustain the currency as experi- But, sir, if we compel manufacturers to abandon their ence and sound legislation may dictate; and also a resto-business, we must import similar productions; and, if we ration of the deposites to the United States Bank. import all the manufactures we consume, it will take much of the specie of the country to pay for them.

GENERAL APPROPRIATION BILL.

On motion of Mr. WEBSTER, the bill making appropriations for the support of Government for the year 1834, was taken up.

Sir, the manufacture of cotton, which has given such an impetus to industry, and to commerce and agriculture, I move, sir, that the memorial be printed, and referred was early established in this county. The second cotton-to the Committee on Finance. Agreed to. mill erected in the United States, was erected in this county. From this little beginning (and little it was) more than seventy-five thousand spindles, with their workshops, machinery, and villages, have sprung into being in this county alone-and I wish it were in my power to cheer them on, and to assure them of a fair prospect of their industry meeting its reward. Not even the last prayer of the memorialists can be looked to with any hope. The House of Representatives has already placed its veto on the resolution of the Senate, directing the deposites to be made in the United States Bank, after the first of July next.

A long discussion then took place, on a motion by Mr. PRESTON to postpone the consideration of the bill until Tuesday next.

In this debate, Mr. PRESTON, Mr. WEBSTER, Mr. FORSYTH, Mr. CLAY, and Mr. GRUNDY participated. Mr. PRESTON then withdrew his motion to postpone.

to

But, sir, there is a gleam of hope held out to them. It The Senate then proceeded to consider the amendis said the distresses of this country has attracted the at-ments reported by the Committee on Finance. tention of Rothschild and other capitalists of Europe, who Several intervening amendments having been agreed are now transmitting funds to this country, to be invested in such stocks as shall afford them a better and greater profit than they can obtain at home. I am willing, sir, to receive this little aid, and hope it will, in some measure, relieve our citizens from some of their embarrassments.

The last amendment was arrived at, which proposes to strike out the second section (including the clause in relation to the compensation of officers of the customs) and insert in lieu thereof the following:

It is also said, more specie was imported into the country And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the within the last year than in former years. This, sir, to Treasury be, and he is hereby authorized to pay to the my mind, is the natural tendency of things in the com- collectors, naval officers, surveyors, and their respective mercial world. Whenever bullion or specie is of greater clerks, together with the weighers and markers of the value in one country than another, it will find its way to several ports of the United States, out of any money in that country until an equilibrium is produced. If specie the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, such sums as is very scarce in this country, and will pay a better freight will give to the said officers, respectively, the same comthan other merchandise, it will be brought here in prefer- pensation in the year one thousand eight hundred and ence to other merchandise, paying less freight. A mer- thirty-four, according to the importations of that year, as chant will never bring specie when he can make a larger they would have been entitled to receive if the act of the profit by bringing coffee, tea, or other merchandise, and 14th of July, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-two, he will not bring coffee or tea if he can make more by had not gone into effect; and that the clerks employed bringing specie. So, on the contrary, when specie is of by the respective collectors, naval officers, and survey. greater value in Europe than in this country, it will be ors, together with the markers of the several ports, shall shipped there, notwithstanding the great hazard and dan-be paid for the year one thousand eight hundred and thir gers that a cargo of specie (if it may be called a cargo) ty-three, as if they had been specifically included in the may be exposed to on the high seas. We all know there third section of the act of the second of March of said is more danger in a shipment of specie than other mer-year, entitled "An act making appropriations for the chandise. Pirates and freebooters seek for it, when other civil and diplomatic expenses of Government for the year merchandise might pass in safety. one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three:" Provided,

SENATE.]

General Appropriation Bill.

[JUNE 18, 1834.

however, That in no case shall the compensation of weigh- That part of the amendment now under consideration, ers, gaugers, markers, or appraisers, whether by salaries, which fixes the maximum of emoluments to some of these fees, or otherwise, exceed the sum of two thousand dol-officers, is, in my judgment, (said Mr. S.,) preferable to lars each per annum; nor shall the union of any two or the provisions of the second section of the bill, for which more of these officers in one person, entitle him to re-this part of the amendment is offered as a substitute. ceive more than the sum of two thousand five hundred The second section of the bill provides that "in no case dollars per annum: And provided, also, That no officer shall the compensation, by salary, fees, or otherwise, be shall receive under this act a greater annual salary or permitted to exceed of a collector, $3,000 per annum; compensation than was paid to such officer for the year of surveyors and naval officers, $2,500; and of weighone thousand eight hundred and thirty-two. ers, gaugers, markers, appraisers, and all others connected with the collection of the customs, $2,000 per annum.

Mr. WEBSTER, in support of this amendment, gave a brief explanation of its provisions; and, after discussion by Messrs. CLAY, WEBSTER, SILSBEE, and WRIGHT,

On motion of Mr. FORSYTH, the Senate adjourned.

[The following are the remarks of Mr. SILSBEE in the debate on the last amendment to the above-mentioned bill, being the only notes taken of the brief and desultory conversation which grew out of the various propositions to amend by the Committee on Finance:]

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By the existing laws, the emoluments at seven of the collection districts are limited to $4,000 for the collectMr. PORTER, after some remarks, proposed an amend- ors, $3,000 for the naval officer, and $2,500 for the surment to the amendment, providing that the number | veyor. At all the other districts they are limited to of officers of the customs shall not be increased; when, $3,000 for the collector, $2,500 for the naval officer, after debate, and $2,000 for the surveyor. And, by the amendment, the emoluments of the weighers, gaugers, measurers, markers, and appraisers, are limited to $2,000 per annum; except when two or more of these officers are united in one person, who may, in such case, receive $2,500. So that the only difference between the bill and the amendment, in relation to these limitations, is, that by the bill no collector can receive more than $3,000, and no Mr. SILSBEE said, that he had, for some time past, naval officer or surveyor more than $2,500; but by the believed the existing rates of pay of the officers of the existing laws, seven collectors may receive $4,000 each, revenue to be so unequal as to call loudly for revision; and seven naval officers $3,000 each; which limitations and that, under this impression, he presented to the Sen- are not disturbed by the amendment: and where the ate, two years ago, a resolution calling for such informa- weighers, gaugers, measurers, or appraisers, discharge tion as would enable the Senate to revise the acts by the duties of more than one officer, they may, by the which this pay is established, and that he was informed, amendment, obtain $2,500 per annum. towards the close of the last session of Congress, by the Believing, as I do, said Mr. S., that $3,000 is not then Secretary of the Treasury, that such information enough, and that $4,000 is not too much, for the collecthad been collected, as would enable him to make a report or of such a district as that of New York, I prefer the upon the subject at the commencement of the present amendment to the second section of the bill, and shall session. But, finding on my arrival here in December give it the support of my vote. last, (said Mr. S.,) that the information on this subject, I will, now, said Mr. S., communicate, as concisely which had been collected by the Secretary, had been de- as I can, the information which I have gathered in the stroyed by the burning of the Treasury office, I offered a examination of this subject, to which I have alluded. resolution, early in this session, directing an inquiry by The act which may be considered the basis of the presone of the committees of this body, whether any, and, ent rates of pay to most of these officers, is that of if any, what alterations might advantageously be made March 2, 1799, and the pay established by that act is as either in the amount or mode of payment of these offi- follows: to some of the collectors, fees and commissions This inquiry led me (as a member of the commit-varying from of 1 per cent. to 3 per cent.; and, to tee to which the resolution referred) to an examination the other collectors, fees and salaries varying from $100 to which, though it has not yet afforded sufficient informa- $1,000; to naval officers and surveyors, fees, or fees and tion to found a report upon, has convinced me that there salaries, to inspectors $2 for every day "actually emis even a greater necessity for a revision of the existing ployed;" to measurers 30 cents per 100 bushels of grain, laws upon the subject than I had anticipated; and my 50 cents per 100 bushels of salt, and 60 cents per 100 principal object in addressing the Senate at this time, is bushels of coal. For weighing and marking, 1 cent to communicate some of the information which this exam- per 112 pounds in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Balination has afforded me; but, before doing this, I am in- timore, and Charleston; 14 cent per 112 pounds in Norduced to say, that the Committee on Finance of the last folk, and two cents per 112 pounds in any of the other session, (of which I was a member,) were, according to districts. For gauging and marking, eight cents per cask, my recollection, induced to recommend that provision of three cents per case upon wine or spirits, and one cent the general appropriation bill of the last year to which my per dozen for counting bottles of beer, &c. colleague has alluded, (and which does not, I think, dif By the act of April, 1802, it is provided that no collectfer materially from a part of the amendment which he has or shall realize a higher pay than $5,000; no naval officer reported to the bill now under consideration,) by a belief more than $3,500; and no surveyor more than $3,000. that, without such provision, some of the principal offi- By the act of April, 1816, fifty per cent. was added to the cers of the revenue would get but little pay for their ser- pay of inspectors, weighers, gaugers, and measurers, as vices for that year, in consequence of the decrease of established by the act of March, 1799; making the present duties on a number of articles, and admission of some oth-rate of compensation, to inspectors $3 per day; to measuers free of duty, under the act of July, 1852, which would rers 45 cents per 100 bushels of grain, 75 cents per 100 cause a considerable reduction of their emoluments, and bushels of salt, and 90 cents per 100 bushels of coal; for which could not, at that late period of the session, be otherwise provided for; and, (said Mr. S.,) the reasons which influenced me to sustain that provision at that time, will induce me to vote for the similar provision now reported by the committee, with a hope, however, that, before the close of another session, some act will be passed upon this subject, of a permanent character.

cers.

weighing and marking 13 cents per 112 pounds at Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Charleston, 24 cents per 112 pounds at Norfolk, and 3 cents per 112 pounds at all the other districts; for gauging and marking 12 cents per cask, 44 cents per case of wine, &c., and 14 cents per dozen for counting bottles of beer, &c.

By the act of May, 1822, the emoluments of the collect

JUNE 18, 1834.]

General Appropriation Bill.

[SENATE.

ors, naval officers, and surveyors at Boston, New York, at Philadelphia is reported to have received, last year, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Charleston, Savannah, and New $3,481; and the surveyor of that port seems to have reOrleans, were limited to $4,000 for the collector; $3,000 ceived $2,900; when, by the act of May, 1822, no surfor naval officers, and $2,500 for surveyors; and at all the veyor is to receive more than $2,500. other districts, they were limited to $3,000 for the collect

In the list of revenue officers in the "Blue Book,"

or; $2,500 for the naval officers, and $2,000 for the sur-there are a number of names against which the pay is not veyors, and these are the existing limitations to the emol-stated; but there are 1,271 officers whose pay is given, uments of these officers. The naval officers and surveyors and that pay amounts to $1,035,191 60; which is rather are paid by fecs, or fees and salaries; some of the collect- over $814 per man.

ors by fees and commissions, others by fees and salaries—| Mr. S. made the following statement of the number of the rate of commissions to the collectors varying from 3 weighers, gaugers, measurers, inspectors, accountants, per cent. to one-sixth of one per cent. Of this class of and clerks, employed in each of the six principal collecofficers there are now in the public service, 96 collectors,tion districts, in the years 1824, 1828, and 1833, and their 13 naval officers, and 51 surveyors. Of the 96 collectors, pay in 1833: 11 of them receive each $3,000 and over, 5 of them receive from 2 to $3,000, 21 of them receive from 1 to $2,000, 30 of them from 500 to $1,000; and 29 of them receive under $500 each, per annum. Of the 13 naval officers, 4 of them rece ve each $3,000; 1 receives $2, 175; 3 of them from 1 to $2,000 each; and 5 of them from 500 to $1,000 each. Of the 51 surveyors, 4 of them receive over $2,000 each; 5 of them from 1 to $2,000 dollars; 9 of them from 500 to $1,000; and 33 of them under $500

each.

AT BOSTON.

Weighers and
Gaugers,
Measurers,
Inspectors,
Accountants

1821 1828 1833

PAY IN 1833.

Dolls. Cts. Dolls. Cts.

7 26,003 67, or 3,714 81each

}

7 8

5

5

20 22

25

12,280 70, or 2,456 14 do. 1,095 each.

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& clerks,11 11
Markers,
Watch,

NEW YORK.

Accountants

& clerks, 29 50
Markers,
Watch,

PHILADEL'A.
Weigher,

The emoluments of some of the subordinate officers. exceed those of any of the superior ones, and the emoluments of a large number of the subordinate officers exceed those of many of the superior ones. For instance, there are four of the weighers, gaugers, and measurers, the pay of each of which, for the last year, exceeds that Weighers, Gaugers, of any one of the collectors, viz: In Philadelphia a weigher | received $6,079; in New Orleans a weigher received Measurers, $6,403, a gauger $5,822, and a measurer $4,835; while Inspectors, the highest rate allowed to any collector is $4,000. 1 think, said, Mr. S., that, after the collectors, the appraisers may be considered amongst the next most important officers of the revenue. No appraiser (except three of those at New York, who get $2,000 each) can receive more than $1,500 per annum, but there are 54 weighers, Gaugers, gaugers, measurers, and markers, who received, last year, $149,995, equal to $2,777 each, and nearly double the Measurers, rate of pay of appraisers. There are 29 of these officers Inspectors, whose pay, the last year, equals that of 37 of the highest paid collectors; and there are 37 of these officers whose pay exceeds the 37 highest collectors by $32,548; there are only 12 collectors whose pay exceeds the average these 54 weighers, gaugers, measurers, and markers. The business of marking" is, by law, a part of the Weigher, duty of the weigher and the gaugers, and included in the Gauger, rate of pay allowed to them; but, in two or three of the Measurer, largest districts, it is made a distinct duty, with distinct Inspectors, pay, from that of weigher and gauger; but by what authority I have been unable to discover. Inspectors are entitled to three dollars per day for "every day he shall be actually employed;" and this provision of the law seems to be generally complied with in the smaller districts; but in the larger districts every in spector (and at the port of New York there are 127 of them) receives three dollars per day for every day in the year, or $1,095 per annum.

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13 13

CHARLESTON.

Weigher,
Gauger and
Inspector,
Measurers,
Inspectors,
Clerks,

Watch,

K. ORLEANS.

Measurer &

There should, certainly, be a sufficient number of offcers, in each and in every port, to enable them to dis- Marker, charge all the duties which may devolve on them, in such manner as to prevent any unnecessary delay to those who have business to transact with the custom-house; but it Weigher, seems to me, said Mr. S., to be hardly possible that 127 Gauger, inspectors can be "actually employed" at New York every day in the year. Of these officers, there are 273 who receive $1,095 each, or $3 per day the year round, and Inspectors, 20 more who receive but a fraction short of $1,095; making 293 who received, last year, $319,802, or over $1,092 Watch, each; being a higher rate of pay than was received by nearly two-thirds of the collectors. A deputy inspector

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38 ±

547 50 each.

6,097 49.

1,547 17 each.
1,247 76 do.
1,095 00 do.

14

600 00 to 1,000 each.

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