MR. WADE. I move to take up the joint resolution authorizing a contract with Vinnie Ream for a statue of Abraham Lincoln. MR. SUMNER. I hope that will not be taken up. SEVERAL SENATORS. Oh, let us vote. MR. SUMNER. Senators say, “Oh, let us vote.” The question is about giving away $10,000. MR. CONNESS. Taking it up is not giving money away, I hope. MR. SUMNER. The question is, I say, about giving away $10,000: that is the proposition involved in this joint resolution. MR. CONNESS. For a statue. MR. SUMNER. The Senator says, “For a statue”: an impossible statue, I say,--one which cannot be made. However, I say nothing on the merits now; that will come at another time, if the resolution is taken up. I ask for the yeas and nays on the question of taking up. The question, being taken by yeas and nays, resulted, Yeas 26, Nays 8. So the motion was agreed to, and the Senate, as in committee of the whole, resumed the consideration of the joint resolution. Mr. Sumner said:-- Some evenings ago, Sir, I attempted to secure an appropriation of $10,000 for worthy public servants in one of the Departments of the Government. In presenting that case, it was my duty to exhibit something of their necessities. I showed you how the money was needed by them to meet the expenses of living, which, as we all know, are constantly increasing, while the value of money is decreasing. I showed you also that they were entitled to this allowance by the service they had performed. After ample discussion, extended through several evenings, the Senate refused outright to appropriate $10,000 for distribution among public servants who, I insisted, had earned it by faithful labor. You acted on a sentiment of economy. It was urged, that, considering the numerous and heavy draughts upon the Treasury, we should not be justified in such allowance, and that, if it were made, then we should be obliged to make it in other cases, and there would be no end to the drain upon the Treasury. You all remember the fever of economy that broke out, and also the result. The proposition was voted down.