Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-12-27

the Legislative bOCl IN, Wl..sf ~ me W.
iue, 10 the people, OF the right of represel,-
tation, ii they have nothing Ia 1--WE.
which their representatives will NOT relin-
quish for even the smaller appointments
otthe executive powerl 1t cannot bnt
tend more, one would think, TO the ner-
manent safety OF the repeblic. tha, no
such hopes or motives should exisr. that
there should be no Inducements OF this
nature, eitherto an uniaithful and comu,i-
ant discharge OF official duty, or toamore
indirect but not less pernicious exercise
OF the influence ola public character and
Il public station.
The geographical extent of the United
olates furnishes case out a! all analogy
with any thing which has heretofore exist
Ell, either IN any state government or the
government OF amy other country. There
are members ofCongress who reside more
than thousand miles from the seat of go-
vernmcnt: great proportionlivc at more
than halt that distance. III these members
are accompanied their families TO ses
sion OF Congress, even the present com
pensaiion, with the strictcst economy.
does not deiiay their expenses. To live
within The means provided for them, they
must come as eNileS from their own homes
they must abandon, not only all private
pursuits, but the enloymentot all domes-
TIC relations, and live like strangers and
temporary dodgers IN the metropolis of
their own country. How far it is wise i'm
government TO demand of those who en-
ter IT'S service this sacrifice OF all social
feelings, those who have the deepest know
ledge OF our nature are most competent
oJudge. Ii is a sacrifice, which wiIipo
ordinarily, and for any length of time, be
made, by such as have the dearest and
strongest ties 10 their country, aud the
greatest possible stake in lis prosDeri-
~.
One further observation is obvious. II
an adequate provision be not made for
meinbers OF Congress, the Office " fall.
exclusively, into tie hands of one or two
descriptions ofpersons: either ofthe most.
aiiuont OF the country only, who can bear
the charges OF IT viilloutany COMPENSATE
on; or, otthose, who would accent if, not
iur The compensation legally belongingto
II, butirom tie hope OF turning il Ia ac-
count by other means. A reasonable al
iowance, neither eXtravagant on the one
ianu, nor parSmonlous on the other,
wOuldseem TO be the best security against
these various evils. lntiu need by these
considerations, Congress was, at the last
session, of OPINION, that The compensate
on 10 members, had become Inadequate.
The Committee are still of the same OPT
mon. In many cases it was not eoualto
the expense incurred by individuals in
Their attendance on the Legislature and
IN all cases, ii must be presumed that the
iabour and intelligence bestowed on the
discharge of his official duties. by an able
and faithful member OF Congress. could
not but yield a much more profitable re-
suit u employed III private pursuits.
If the view, which the committee have
taken OF this subject, be not altogether
erroneous one ; If great changes, III rela-
tion TO the value of money, and the price
OF living, have taken place Iii the country:
II IL mas been found necessary to provide
Tor this cbange, by an increase of The com
pensal!on OF other officers throug.loutthe
general ana state governments and more
than all, If II be desirable to maintain the
Importance OF the lroisla-
i've office 10 open Is the people wide
held Tor the selection of REPRESENTATIVES
TO put at their command the best talents
IN their respective districts and to ena-
bic them 10 retain The services of those
whose knowledge and experience have
best iltted them to promote their infer
eS's and maintain their rights then, the
object OF The law in question was not on
y useful, bur highly important and
object.
In regard to the mode of accomplishing
that object, IL has not been, and is not
aasy to reconcile opinions. On the whole.
lie committee are OF opinion, that under
Ill the circumstances, IL is advisable to
provide, that the increase of paw should
De made IN the form of an addition 70
he former daily allowance. They, there
ore, recommend, that in lieu of ali other
'oompensaiions, there be paid 10 members
II Congress and delegates of territories,
dollars per day for their actual
and = dollars for CIV
Try twenty miles travel to and from the
eat OF government. And they report a
iii Tor that purpose.
ENNH ID ENlt(t