Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-03-23

lie had 10 objection to making the compensation
somewhat greater Doc I've wished il TO be clearly de-
hnea, std not lsrgvr relatively than the present
cOnpens -u0n was when hrst fixed. On this bill, II
1t passed., he turti,sr said would be E,uuled de-
ins,ids Tor an increase oi comyensstion from every
person in puslic O.ise w.ihin tue Unitel States;
from everJ CLERK, SSc. az tie seat 81 government
la this and otheS Views be REGARDED tie BILL in its
present shape, highly meSped.ept.
Mr. 10 DERgs isse To defend his vote from the ar
sume.its o. Ia. Opposed 10 the bill. lie daily
sensible, nc hoped Of the situation in which mein-
bers oil this house stood in relation Co pubic op on
but he knew NOT on this subec; What pubic opinion
was. This question vas presented o. hi,a Err dec-
Sion without that light. Faere had been feeling
geaeialy prevalent, as far as bis information ex-
tended, that the present compensation of the menu
bcrS was not sufficient. II had been lis conviction
thstt was better not to aglate this question the
present time bat the proposition had originated la
the other nuse, winch WAS at lest responsible to
public opinion this and, believing il MT objec,i-
enable IN principle, he felt his duty "a vote FOX il.
II twere unpopular act, he said It's weight would
lll on the shoulders Of those who voted tor tit
might occasion their remoy; from the public coun-
CHS, 10y which 1t might be that the public interest
might he promoted iis0, lac was willing 20 make
the sacrifice The proposed amount Of compensa-
ton was perhaps too large with the ideas en- this
SUBJECT arising from us humble situation in life, had
oe had the direction ut this question, lac should not
perhaps have fixed il 50 high but, lie consider d
the two houses, oi this question, ike jury much
divided on the subject before them, but obliged to
decide upon something GA the ground of abstract
right however. without regard to the House of Re-
representatives., he considered expedicnt IL pass the
bill It luight be improved perhaps in DETAIL but the
prnciplc lac considered Ms correct. Whatever
app aled IN the h0nor2ble feelings ofthe members
ct Congress could notfi of exciting them toa more
earnest disehage OF their duty, than rule OF
pensatinn which pays them Tor ach day they attend
the public service As to the idea Of the extavs-
gance oil the proposed com. ensation he denied the
Harness oil the 'aw 10 Which it had been preseEteG,
Us wen as The correctness OF the computation TO
the length Of the sessions. But not only the mere
time Of Attendance in this house ought 10 be taken
ntn view, Eut the Interference ofthe duii of the
s.. IA w:ti their domestic occupations and arrange
meats. Nil' H. ssid ie should contradict the cha
racjer las habits and mode OF iii. had given Kim, II
lac were to become advocate for extravaganza
but on the other hand, he did not; nor dill the peo-
pic, desire to see members living here in state o.
pr'Vation and suffering Iihis views of this subject
should be dlsapproved by the people, nc willing
To retire from thgii service, elc.
The question as then taken on postnonement
aud nesatved
Mr. Mason Of Va. tken moved to re-comm
The brl, with view to amend it -Negatved, ayes
1iine.
The question was then taken on the passage G.,
the niil, ard decided follows:
YEAS-Aiessis Barry, Bib, Brown, Campbell
| Condit, Dagsett, DaUn GailIaid, Harper, Horsey
Howell, Hunter, Lacos!.. Morrow, l.0b ITS, TAT
bot, rait, Thompson, Tusner, Wells, Williams
81.
NAYS Measrs. Chaee, King, Macon, Mason O,
\. II. Mason IF Va RugSles, SaGtay,, Taylor, Ii
chenor, NarHUm, Wi.sln---ii
Inc question beins then the titie Of the lll
to change aie mole Of COMPENSATION o. inc mem.
begs. &c.
Mr.. NARSUm suggested That tIAe title Of the bill
would he advantageouslJ amendsd, by making it
- bltl TO dOHOie the COmBCnSaiion.S
M. DANAsapi, if the gentleman desired to move
tie Amendment thatit legal opinion, that
utle otan act need not necessarily correspond viii
its contents.
No amendment being moved to the title, it wal
agreed TO-