Mr. HENDERSON. I am not going to take up the time of the Senate. The HoRep have increased the pay of their clerks and we propose to increase ours, not so much as the house, but to give such compensation as we think ought to be paid to our clerks. It is a very reasonable compensation, and I am willing to grant it. Our bill is care fully prepared on that subject, because we had the officers of the 2 bodies before us, and we have compared the various duties critically and carefully, and if you are going to ado t any bill on the subject of increase, you mig as well adopt this. Now, in regard to the purchasing agent; we have drawn off the clerks and agents enough to make up for the purchasing agent. I have nothing to reflect against Mr. Brown, nothing to reflect against Mr. Forney, nothing to reflect against anybody; but if the Senate want me and the other members of this committee, or any other member of this committee, that may hereafter be a pointed to be 01 any service to them in au iting claims, I beseech of them to do something upon this subject. I believe it is the duty of Mr. Forncy now by law to make the purchases; the committee came to that conclusion, and we do not feel like taking it away from.him and turning it over to Mr. Brown. I have no feeling against one or in favor of the other. I believe consoient iously the Secretary has the legal authority to do it; upon an examination that is my opinion, and Fdo not desire to take it away from him and‘turnit over to Mr. Brown. Senators on ht to be aware that there is a gooddeal of eeling about this matter. Mr. i‘oruoy gives as an excuse for neglecting to make his reports to us that he does iiotadver tise these proposals. The Senfrom Illinois I know can make a great deal of fun of a reported bill; be can say that this is parsi monious; but. if he knew something about the contingent expenses of the Senate he would feel a little parsimonious, I a preheiid. Let him take the last report made in 1864 and glance ever it. I do not wish to comment upon it, and I do not intend to do so.