Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-02-02


ment.
Mr.. Elliot. feel no disposition to de-
tain the House many minutes upon this
question. / shall be brief in my remarks
with the less reluctance, from the reHectl-
on that it is almost impossible, that at
the commencement Of the debate it was
almost impossible, to say any thing new
upon the subject But, as represent a
portion ofthe Americanpeople, than whom.
none are more attached to the principles OF
political ECONOMY, or more sparing IN the
Compensation they afford their public Of
ficers. and as theviews | take are some
what different from those of any gentleman
who has spoken, must be INDUCED IN
very few observations.
candidly confess, Sir, that have not
examined this subject with that minute ex-
actness with which wish generally to IN
vestigate subjects of consequence that come
before this house. 10 dispose my mind
for decision, ] do not wish to calculate
the exact differences between the prices Of
house rent, beef, -four, or butter, at Phlh-
delphia or Washington, IN 1909, or 1908
/ do not wish to ascertain the precise sum
necessary for the support OF a family IN gen
teel life LIDO not ask what were the poii-
tical sentiments Of the men who raised the
salaries to the present state: do not ask
for the information that the governor of
Massachusetts, receives 1866 dollars and
66 cents, nor do I wish to inform other
gentlemen that the governor Of Vermont
receives but $50 dollars, as al annual salary.
am satisfied with general views of the
state of society, ofthe Importance OF the
offices in question, and the talents requisite
tor the discharge OF their duties. These
general views satisfy me that the blanks IN
the bill on the table, have not been filed
with sums too large. think it unneccssa-
ry to attempt to form ascale Of the relative
usefulness of those persons who may fill
those offices at different times. But is it
possible to arrest the progress Of society
and manners ? | wish we could be as SIM
pie and economical as the ancient Romans.
But think it in vain to strive to stop the
progress of society to refinement, or even
to luxury and extravaganza. The present
question is not, shall we augment salaries
But, shall we continue them as they are
Fears seem to be. entertained by some gen.
tlemen, that we must raise them hereafter,
if it should be necessary, but it is strong
argument with me in favor OF the bill, that
the quantum Of salary which it contera-
plates has been established FOR some years;
five now reduce 1t, we shall have frequent
complaints, and probably just ones, Of It's
insufGclency, and we shall annually be en-
ployed in augmenting or reducing. Ewish
to make these salaries permanent, and to
establish them on such liberal basis, that
there will be no probability of our being
called upon again very soon for further
augmentation. Ny constituents are at
tached to the principles of economy. |
am attached to them myself. But be-
lleve that the whole people, were this sub
iect properly explained to thela, would be
satisfied, although the round sums with
which the blanks are filed seem large to
the farmer and day laborer,
While | do my duty, am regardless of
the consequence. to my own popularity,
which NAV result from the vote which
shalln now give. ! wish for no popularity
which is not founded on Independence of
sentiment, and conduct dictatedby libe-
raj policy.
Mr.. Holland said thopgh it was probable
he should ultimately vote for the bill, he
considered il exceptionable on account of
It's permanency. He had not considered
this a proper time 70 fix the permanent sa-
laries oftheir ofncers. Helooked forward to
the time when those officers might execute
their duties for lowersum than that at pre-
sent necessary-th present situation ofthis