Mr. WADE. I am speaking of the Sergeant at‘Arms; and I will speak of some other gentlemen here, not particularly under him, that we have to deal with daily, who I think, are entitled to our commendation or their constant, faithful attendance to their duties. I know of no reason why, if salaries are to be enhanced, there is anything unreasonable in the proposed salary of the Sergeant at Arms. His compensation b' this proposition is made equal with that of tie Sergeant at Arms and Doorkecper of the House, $3,000 perannum. That is not a very extravagant salary, as things go here in Washington now. His entire time must be taken up withhis duties here. He has but very little time to go anywhere else. During the vacation he is employed in making his purchases for the accommodation of the Senate Chamber and the other rooms in thiswing, taking, care of them, and superintendin this great uilding. I believe he is occupied l the time; and I do not think the salary that we now (propose to give him is an extravagant one. I 0 not wish to go into particulars, for I could throw no additional light upon this subject if I were to do so. As I said before, I now of no particular criterion of compensation that you can fix upon that everybo y can affirm is right 0: wrong. This is an increase to all these employee, and I believe they will be satisfied with it, of about 25%. Although I have generally been opposed to increasing the compensation of employes, I see that there are ver strong reasons why it should be done now. do not think the expenses of living here were ever so high as they are at the present time. I know that these employees are not makings. great deal of money by the compensation we give them. I think they are entitled to this increpse. I do not think it will put them in a better position now than they were at the old rices that existed here some ears ago. I believe that the compensation they received before the war, though much less in amount nominally, was much more valuable than this compensation will be if we increase it according to the proposition contained in this amendment.