The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1816-07-08

cious. And MIR Clay and his friends
have no reason to complain of federal
2hhosition at the present election, un
less they have been in the habit of re.
eeiving their aid on former occasions.
What appears TO us most Objectionable
on the part of the members who voted
for the late law was the retrosfectiDe
operation it would have; they had been
elected for two years at her diem com
pensation, which at nearly the end Of
he session they converted into the
gross sum of S $500, & a cool three thou
aar6 dollars for MIR. Speaker. Now,
!, would have cfhcared less objectiona-
bic, and more disipt crested to have fix
81 the increased compensation to CON-
mcnce with the next congress- We
are awore tina; it may bcu:ged that the
compensation formerly allowed was in
sufficient, and would prevent men of
abilities from accepting the Office. 1t
we were 10 admit this, we should con-
tend that the daily compeR salion should
be increased, TO TEN dollars, which we
think quite sufficient, and not made
jo6 of, which holds out inducements to
an ayaricious mind TO make the session
as short as possible-ur perhaps in a
few more years double the present wag-
es if they think the people will tole'
.ate it. SerUaats too well paid. viii
be ap, to become your masters in
deed congressman already expect to be
| approached with the utmost diffidence,
Yet we do not apprehend any difficulty
in getting gentlemen competent 10
serve at the g old quages )" for there
always appeared, heretofore, great
comhetnon for the Office; indeed SC
very desirable is * with " some" TO re-
main, that it appears they have given a
pledge" that they will " vote for a
repeal OF the law at the next session"
They have, therefore, it appears been
premature in legislating for the rene.
iy Of an evil that did not exist, and
probably ne yer will. Should MIR. Clav
be turned out his loss will be sensibly
felt by the Representatives of the PEG.
Pile, as he is peculiarly qualified 10 dis
charge the duties of the speaker of the
house, which he performs with digni'
~ and accuracy. No man is more de
serving than col. Johnson of the conf
dence and respect of the people, his
many and honorable wounds bear ties.
timony of his devotion to their cause
with him the will Of the people is SUI.
preme, and he will bow in silence to
that decision. To asssil the motives
Of these gentlemen would be uni ust and
views, may take refuge under the shell
ter their exalted character affords. We
these gentlemen and their constituents
we regret as much as any other editor
possibly can and would most willingly
. forgive them for the commission OF an
act at variance with the will of those
they represent, provided they would
give pledge to use their utmost eX-
ertions to repeal the law, Should they
E4L TO do this, (which we expcci
they wiz should their constituents
wish change made, it follows, howe
yer much they may respect them and
their services, that the difference il
opinion which exists between them
renders the one incapable Of being the
r personalities Of The other, cirCum.
stance, no 40ubt which will be much
regretted by the constituents OF these
gentlemen, who without losing their
attachment to the men, will pursue
those measures which may be dictated
~ an equally pure and virtuous con-
science.
TyyfrHrC,n Tuur ~