The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1817-01-24

berS, The most Important measures were
transacted in a thin house,
which certainly ought lot 10 be the case.
lie observed, that agreeably 10 the
principles Ut our government, all cias-
ses, and all Interests, ought to be re-
presented In Congress. He knew that
the wages might be made So low, tia.
but one class, viz. the wealthy, who
could afford the expense, and did no,
depeHd on their own personal industry,
would serve But this would change
'he nature o. the government. But
even II the compensation was raised,
or the salary established, there would
always be many who would not serve,
many to whom no wages we ought to
give would compensate their loss, and
there are many whom no compensation
we could give would induce 10 leave
their endearing families comforts, and
cares, 10 serve at such distance from
hume as many OF the members have TO
do Some who have done SO, always
reflect Oh 1t with deep regret.
Mr.. L. said, as this WAS the last ses
ston he ever would serve, his voting for
an increase OF The Gsily wages, as he
designed TO do, could Coz tribuis very
liitie 10 his advantage, when it was
Known that, though he WAS not here
last,session, to sole either for or against
,he compensation lave being prevented
oY sickness, hc was YET emitted 10 re-
ceIte the compensation, but would mol
ciaim nor wnolc lie receive il there
lore expected, that voting for an in
crease o wages would not be impeted
{" hin as ,h- result oi seifintcrest
He wSuld not vote for The repeal OF the
salary, because he thought 1t contrary
20 the constitution or any principle OF
the governmeHt,but because he thought
II inexpedient On the whole, MR.. /
said, that he wished 10 le--e those who
succeeded him on footing equGl t.
wnai he was himself when he cane an,
to Congress HC wished d reasonable
ccmpe nsatlon 10 be fixed, to continue
al latter the next census, not bal Yha,
he kheV every Congress had TO fix
tbelr own compensation. All the state
legislatures have done so, some Of them
ottener Than "nce. He would vote to
hi the blank with eight dollars, not be-
cause he thought il equal to six when
he went FIRST into Congress, out because
ne thought, when the currency was re-
guiated 10 specie standard, which hc
noPed would be the case before the
next Congress, IL would be equal. This
vas no new thought OF his. de agree
ably to his cwn opinion of the public
coed, had determined to vote for mod
crate increase of wages before he lett
Congress; tor obvious reasons such
a question had been delayed till long at
ter the legislatures had set the exam
pie
Mr. RANDOLPH OF Virgins, ,hen
took the AooT. lac auction OF popular
ity. ne sad, differed i'll one material re-
spcc,, from all others the first bidder
staGning IN the same relation to the
transaction as The iast bidder does al
o.he: auC. cas-. Eepce IL could be no
cause OF eurPii2e, that al all times,
were a3y measure within the SCOPE OF
public interpolation should be pecu
'ia'ly odIous great anxiety should be
1.sti es,ed as 10 whom should be
foremost in the repeal; or otherwise,
If the measure was entirely desirable,
The same struggle should take place in
the race WHO should be FIRST TO reach
the goal He for one, he said, had been
extremely glad that ihe House Of Re.
preseHtatfyes had, on this occasion, SO
lar At least, not beea wanting in a sense
Of deceni self-respecl. He hoped the
committee would not understand him to
intend to enter into the merits of the
bill or 10 commit himself to the support
OF 1t on its final passage but he had
no hesitation in saying, if il was 10 pass,
that Ii ought nc. to pass i'll the shape in
which it had been offered by the commit.
ee. What urgency was there in this
case Would any bon'le member shew
him that there was . great urgency
that the act of the last session should
be repealed as to the remaining part Of
this session, and that the law should be
further modified by an increase of the
compensation thirty three and third
per cent This body ought not 10 &C,
on any frivolous impulse it ought moi
to act on any temporary excitement.
He hoped not to be misunderstood
The people of the United States are
the soVereigns Of the United States:
the government is theirs, because the
soil Is thsirs--the country is theirs;
they have right to be heard, But what,
said he, have we heard from the nublic