Mr. HENDRICKS. if I recollect correctly this appropriation of $160,000 to be expended at the of the SecyTreasury was given to him to compensate and to secure the best service in his. I think I recollect that one of the Senators connected with the ComFinance stated that that Dept had difficulty in retaining the services of many of the most valuable clerks; that being skillful business men their services were sought for by large enterprises in the country, such as railroads, banks, and the like; and in order to enable the SecyTreasury to retain their services at the time this fund was placed in his hands. That was N. a particular ground as I have stated. Now, this resolution goes upon the proposition that the salaries of the clerks or other employees in this city ought to be increased. I cannot see why the fact that some have received a part of that fund, under the exercise of the discretion of the SecyTreasury, should impair their right to a% age upon their salary with all the other employees. As has been stated, if we adopt that idea we simply take back from them that which it was thought good policy to give them a year ago. o not know of any Senator more skillful in debate than the Senfrom Illinois; but I do not think that skill in debate altogether compensates for exact fairness and candor in debate. That Senator and other Senators made an attack upon the SecyTreasury on the subject of the distribution of this $160,000. Fo that subject I have got just this to say: I do not think any man can distribute a fund of that kind and not have fault found with him. Among the 3 or 4,000 clerks in this city who would get no part of it there would be almost that number of accusers against him. But, when the charge is completely met as against the SecyTreasury, when there is not a clear foot of logical ground for the Senator to stand upon in his accusation against the Secretary himself, he then turns around upon the gentlemen who have exonerated the Secretary from all responsibility about the matter. [Great I am in no position requiring me to defend those gentlemen who have written the letter which has been read to the Senate. I believe I am in political sympathy with scarcely any of them; but I have heard that they are able officers. Was it not striking that with a sneer the Senfrom Illinois should read the name of Mr. Taylor, the 1st Comptroller 2I believe Mr. Taylor, the 1st Comptroller, is the most radical of all Radicals, so far as I have heard; but in the discharge of his duty I have never heard that he was not a just and fair man. Is it not just for him to have a portion of this fund? He gets a salary fixed a number of years ago; I believe $3, 500. Does the Senfrom Illinois claim that it was wrong for him to have a portion of this money that was to be distributed according to the efficiency of the employee ! Then what is the purpose of the Senator's reference to the report? Is it to cast discredit upon these bureau officers because they received a part of the fund, or is it the Senator's purpose to discredit them as witnesses when they vindicate so completely the SecyTreasury from every charge that has been made against him on this subject? When there is no ground left to stand upon with regard to the charge made against i. Secretary, then a sneer is to be made against the Comptrollers and Auditors because of the test imony they voluntarily give in favor of the Secretary and to acquit him entirely of a charge that was groundless and wrong. I never did in my life against a political opponent desire to avail myself of that which was not right. When I see the party with which I am assoncipatd succeed I want it to be upon a ground that is satisfactory, not only to my judgment, but to my conscience; and I believe I have never yet in my life made a charge directly or by insinuation, by sneer, or by any other means that I did not believe to be true and right. Now, Mr. President, I suppose it is perfectly right that the heads of these bureaus shall have a part of this fund. They have to select among their clerks who shall receive it. They make their report to the Secretary and he approves it. So far as the heads of bureaus receiving any of this fund is concerned of course the responsibility of that is upon the Secretary. He had to decide upon their report so far as all the clerks of the Dept are concerned. If any of them have not been well treated they must look to the heads of their bureaus. I was once connected with a bureau in this city which had a clerical force of 180, and I can say that no man can in every respect do full justice to all the clerks in his bureau; it is impossible. Allusion has been made to the fact that 1st class clerks frequently discharge duties that properly belong to the 2nd and 3rd classes. That of necessity must be the case, because the law usually provides a larger number of the 1st class than of the 3rd or 4th class. The work must be done, and the head of the bureau must assign to the duty whatever force and labor is at his command, and frequently he has to employ upon higher labors gentlemen who are paid only as 1st class clerks. It is a necessity resulting from the organization of the Depts under the laws of Congress. Very efficient services are oftentimes found among the 1st class clerks and very good clerks; I have no doubt about that, and often times also clerks that are not very valuable. I wish we could, in the distribution of this fund, give it to the industrious and the careful clerks. If we could thus discriminate I would be glad to do it. But we cannot. We must legislate upon some general principle; and I know of no other mode than to give a% age upon their salaries. Some will receive money when they do not deserve it. Others, in my judgment, will not get as much as they ought to have. This is the difficulty incident to the subject itself, and I do not see how we can avoid it. Oftentimes clerks are forced upon the Depts by political influence. They get promotion frequently because of political influence. It is not for members of Congress to criticise any Secretary or head of a bureau because of that. The Secretaries and the heads of bureaus are dependent upon Congress to a very great extent, and Senators go to them and demand the promotion of their friends and the appointment of their friends, men who have fought their battles at home, and these Secretaries and heads of bureaus are brought under congressional influence to a greater extent than they ought to be. The remedy is not in the Depts; it is in Congress.