Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-21

galnst adding at this time a single cent to
the old compensation of six dollars pen
day. Mr.. J. expressed his hope, as he
had endeavoured in previously discus
sing the subject, TO avoid, on a question
OF this delicacy, saying any thing in any
manner to wound the feelings OF the mem
bers, that perfect harmony would charac-
terise the whole debate. He believed. lie
said, that no member of this House, re-
gardl!nS The members as pensioners mere
~, with view TO pccuniary considcrat-
ons only, could say that 1900 dollars was
too great compensation, nor even that
twas enough. But, Mr. i. said, his Judy
ment and conscience dictated to him, III
obedience to thepublic will, to vote to re-
peal the law, and leave the compensation
as II WAS previous to the passage of the re-
probated compensation law.
MIR. Eindiey of Penn. next rose To speak
on The subject. His rising occasioned a
deviation from the usual order OF the
House, by the members crowding around
him, which may be attributed TO the gen
crai respect for his years, experience, and
intelligence.
After making some general observat-
oDs on the nature OF This subject, Mr. L.
gave concise history of what had been
formerly done, respecting the compensate
u,
that under the confederation, each State
paid it's own members, aud instructed and
recalled them at pleasure: that, when
| Congress money gave way TO specie,
some States paid eight dollars day,
| some more. and some less-Pennsylvar:a
paid six dollars, butha great difficulty to
| procure members willing TO serve. Some
| small States gave but four, and were rare
| lv ever represented. 1t must be we'll
known to those who remember that peri
cd, and paid attention to it, that niue
! States ont of the thirteen were quorum
necessary to make acquisitions on the
| States and other important business. and
! that this number could with difficulty be
| got together one month in 4 year.
| When the National Governmentwas or
! ganised, the committee of the representa-
tivcs 10 whom the compensation of the
members was referred, took an average
of what The states themselves had paid
| their members, and it was either six dol
| lars, and one third, or two thirds, which
is now forgot; They reported, however,
| six dollars a day for the representatives.
hut limited it 70 time after the census
would be taken, and more equal repre.
| sentatiou would take place. When that
time came, about twenty years ago, the
subject wasagaIn referred To committee
! "A salary was proposed and advocated,
but believing II contrary TO public opin-
! On, or at least the common practice i'm paw
ing the state legislatures, thiswas dropped
| and compensation eight dollars day
| reported aftera discussion, this was re-
| Jected by one, or, at most, two votes.
There had about this time been a CON
| siderable rise ofexpence, and sevcraIstatc
| legislatures had increased their compen-
sation-yet Congress, believing that this
arose from temporary causes, increased
the compensation ofclerks and some sub
ordinate officers, and of the heads of de-
partments for limited time, which, how
ever, has been renewed. When the eight
dollars was rejected, some members open
~ declared tielrIntentlon to decline, and
| actually did so.
MIR. +. said, that TO members. whose
farms supported their families, and who
did not bring their families with them
the six dollars day would still pay their
expenses /: but to such az have to support
their families by theirindustry in any oc-
cupatlon, it would not do. Several mem
bers, TO his own knowledge, had tried it
a few sessions, sending the half of their
wages mon hly TO suppertItheir families,
but had 70 decline. 1t was well known
that members preferred almost any Off
ces in the gift of the UnitedSt as well
as at ther own state, 10 a seat in Congress,
and II is evident, that, for want of the at
tendance of members, the mostimportant
measures were frequently transacted in
tim House, which certainly ought not to
be the case
He observed, that, agrceablv to the
principles of our government, all classes,
and all interests, ought to be represented
in Congress. He knew that the wages
might he made so low, that but one class.
viz : the wealthy, who could afford the
expense. and did not depend OR their own
personal industry, would serve But this
would change the nature of the govern
ment. But even if the compensation was
raised, or the salary established, there
would always be many who would not
serve; many, TO whom nowages we ought
TO give, would compensate their loss and
there are many, whom no COMPENSATION
we could give would induce to leave their
endearing families, comforts and cares, to
serve at such distance from home as
many Of the members have to do. Some.
who have done SO, always reflect on it
with deepregret
Mr. +. said, as this was the last session
heever would serve, his voting for an i'll
crease of the daily wages, as he designed
to do, could contribute very little TO his
advantage, when it was known, that, tho
he WAS not here last session, to vote either
foror against the compensation, being pre-
vented by sickness, he was vet entitled
TO receive the compensation, but would
taf.f, lssr. L.. II