Mr. CHANLER. Mr. Chairman, I suggest to the Gentfrom Missouri this is nothing but an intimation to collectors and assessors of internalrevenue to reimburse themselves. If these men are to receive no salary they will certainly take their case into their own hands. I have no complaint to make in regard to the system of internalrevenue as administered by the Administration, nor have I any personal charge to make against the different collectors and assessors; but it is very weak legislation to say to a body of men throughout the whole country, “Though you are entitled to compen:sation for your labors, you shall not have it unless you are confirmed by the Senate.” You use your political power to put these men upon the defensive;.]". the records in the office of the internalrevenue are correct, a more rot ten and corrupt system never was invented and does not exist. You are but adding another incentive to the same men to continue the system of corruption into which you have appointed a select committee in this body not 2 weeks since to examine and report. If this is done for political personal reasons, if this is done for the purpose of visiting upon those who have been put into office where certain gentlemen elected to the 40th Congress have questions of revenge to settle, let us know the facts. Let the committee of investigation, when it comes to lay before the House its report, tell us the causes for visiting upon these men the chastisement of the law. But, sir, for a Legislature to pass such an amendment is a stultification, if honesty is the basis of your legislation. If mere party perse cution is the rule here, then make the law as the gentleman suggests. You have created a committee; trust that committee. They are men of your own choice, appointed by the presiding Officer of this body. Their investigations are now going forward. I hope, sir, no such act will be passed in the face of the existing charges against the internalrevenue Bureau. It would be much more consistent with the dignity of the body and common “ Unless” is the better sense and the common principles of human na ture that you should allow the officers in authority to do their duty, under the contract which is always implied, that they will be paid for their services. Whether the Executive has placed them there, or they were appointed at the suggestion of certain members upon this floor, is a matter of no consequence. I have nothing to say on that subject, but I do ask the gentleman to withdraw his amendment in view of the facts of the case, until the report of the committee of investigation comes in. Let us see what we are doing before we drive these men to the wall and force them to take their salary out of the proceeds of the revenue, thereby cheating the citizen. These men will not work for nothing. The honorable Gentfrom missouri does not work for nothing, patriotic as he is; and patriotic as this body is, the increase of their salary at the last session is an indication that they will not work for nothing. Now, sir, men who are not remunerated for their services are tempted to help themselves. It is a bid for dishonesty in every bureau of the internalrevenue throughout the country. On that I rest the question. It is not sound legislation. It is not creditable to this body. It is not dignified.