Mr. SAULSBURY. Some 5 years ago, sir, the courts of this District were composed of men of great learning in the law; they had been on the bench for many years; the salary of the chief justice, according to my recollection, was $3,000, of the associatejudges $2, 500. The act organizing that court was changed so as to get rid of those judges and to put in their places other judges, 2 of whom were defeated members ofCongress in their own States. Being defeated for Congress, they were provided for with seats upon the bench in this District. I shall say nothing against those judges, for I certainly have no unkind feelings to thempersonally, but their predecessors only received, the chief justice $3,000, and the associates $2.500. The proposition now is to give these gentlemen, who I presume sought the places they hold, or if they did not seek, very willingly accepted them, a large increase of sal ary. When the salary of any public officer is too low, there is always a remedy without an increase of compensation. If he is not satisfieu with the situation, he has the liberty to retire, and there are plenty of others equally qualified who will accept the place. If the salary of these gentlemen is not sufficiently large, if they are not satisfied with their position at the present compensation, they certainly have the liberty to retire from the bench and go to the practice of their profession and see whether they can make more. Mr. President, the chief justice of my State receives $1, 200 perannum, and the associate justices $1, 100; and ] think the judiciary of that State will compare very favorably at least with the judiciary of the DistCol, I may say with the judiciary of any State in the nion. Those gentlemen hold their places upon the bench not from the mere money consideration: there is something of dignity, something of honor in being a judge of a court. Men do not seek those places for the ccuniary consideration. There is a great deal of honor, character, and dignity in the situation. I shall vote against the bill because it is within, my remembrance that the very able judiciary who preceded the present bench of this District were willing to retain theirplaces at the ssh ary of $3,000 for the chief justice and $2.500 for the associates. They were not allowed to do so, but provision was made for these Gentlemen by a pointing them to the bench; and now, I think, the best thing they can possi bly do, if they are not satisfied to retain their positions at the present salary, is gracefully to retire, and there are lenty of lawyers,equally able, I presume, in his District, who W1l accept their places. I ask for the ycas&nays on the amendment. The yeas&nays were ordered.