Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1822-01-12


ton oil the henibers oi the Senae, Members Of the
House OF REPRESENTATIVES of the United States and
Delegates OF Territories, and all other officers in each
OF the Executive Departments aud Post Oiice Es-
Enlistment and that said committee have leave TO
report by bill otherwise.
Mr.. X. W. johnson, of Kentucky, said he
should like TO hear some reasons i'm support
of the expediency of agitating this subject at
the present time; at least he should like to
be convinced, that the present pay of the
members of Congress was too much, before
he couldiassent to another discussion of it. II
was subject which had occupied much of his
attention, he said--he had perhaps been as
much concerned M former proceedings on
it as any man--yet he had ut been able, so
far, to convince himself that the present cum
pensation was professionally high This. Mr..
}. said, was an unfortunate subject 10 be so
repeatedly brought up in Congress il was
delicate and an invidious duty for public bo-
dy to lix its OWN pay, and the subject ought,
therefore, when once fixed, to he stirred as
seldom possible. Ii had been recently act
ed ON, and he thought Congress had then
nXed their compensation at reasonable a.
mount. For his own part, Mr.. j. said, he
estimated his services to the public at least as
high as the sum he received from them, and
he might therefore value those of many 9th
er members, who had the advantages of age
and experience, as well as of eminent talents,
at much more. This, he observed, was sub
lcct ef difficulty as well as decacy, and he
would not consent TO touch it again, unless
those who sent him here should, after due CON
slderation, desire him to do So 1t was one
which ought not to he agitated annually, like
any ordinary matter; and he should deem il
unwlse to stir it more than once in twenty or
thirty years, and not even then, unless en-
cumstances strongly required it. The people
had been willing that it should rest twenty or
twenty five years, previously to the existing
law establishing the pay of members and
as much as he respected the state of Rhode
Island, which had instructed her Senators to
bring the subject again before Congress, he
must oppose its being acted on until crcum-
stances of great weight should demand its re-
consideration.
Mr.. j. said he hoped, at any rate, that the
mover of the resolution would consent to let
1t he on the table for some time longer To
wards the close of the session, he said, mem
beis would he better able Ia Judge whether
they could spare any part of their eight dollars
For himself, he had little hope, Judging from
experience, that he should nave much to spare
at the end of the session for however well
he might be able to live at home on the pro-
duce of his farm and his garden, he, and he
presumed every other gentleman, found the
difference here. This, Mr. j. admitted, was
time for the exercise of economy, and he
was as willing as any one TO conform strictly
10 the spirit OF 4 true economy but he con-
| tended IT was most consistent with the true
economy to give TO public servants, in respon.
sIble stations reasonable at least if not H.
beral compensation. There were other mat
tiers of great moment, he said. which claimed
the grave consideration of the Senate he
himself had introduced Il proposition to ar
raIgn the Supreme Court-though i'm using
the expression he meant not the slightest in
decorum to that respectable tribunal-but
this, and other subjects awaiting the decision
OF The Congress, made him the more averse
10 take up this question of compensation
which would only distract the attention of the
Senate, without, as he believed. eventuatina
in any good. While he thus expressed his
opinion, Mr.. j. said he did not know that he
should ever receive the eight dollars again
his political lamp was now expiring, aud he
knew not that his constituents would send him
here again he, therefore, spoke on this sub
lect the more MISUNDERSTANDING whether
| IN public or private life, he should entertair
the same opinions on this matter. In main
talnlng them on former occasion, he had
nearly been swamped, and had been tumbled
into the gulf of popular dspleasure so faI
rs to be hardly able TO reach the shore again
The subject was, therefore, one Of deep inter.
est to him, but he repeated that he thought II
| h'ghly inexpedient, as IT was, in his opinion
| unnecessary, to agitate it again so early and
he hoped the resolution would at least he or
dered to lie on the table, whence it might al
any time be- called up, if it should be the plea
sure of the Senate.
MIR. Knight was far from wishing to press
| off I,s,-
| tlemeu had reflected on it, or were ready r.
examine it. In introducing the motion he hac
obeyed his convictions of public duty il ap
! peared TO him there was "A waste of public
money, and, as the guardians of the pub
lie treasure, he thought it incumbent or
Congress to enquire where this waste was
and apply the remedy. He would eonsent
however, to let the proposition, though one fol
enquiry merely, lie for some time longer, as II
was desired.
Mr. OTIS thought it would be the betiei
course to postpone the resolution altogether
1t had become, as he had understood. the ge.
neral sense OF the Senate TO he the correct
course to abstain from originating much bu
slness, and to await, as far as was proper, the
| movements of the other House If such wa,
the sense Of the Senate, and If there was any
subject which ought, with more propriety
to originate in the other branch, it was this sub
lcct Of compensation. The proposition wa,
one relating to money, and was analogous &c
a money bill it was one, therefore, which h,
conceived the Senate might, with the NOR,
! propriety, leave TO the other House. IT, in
deed, it were taken up, it would only vast,
much time in the discussion of il, without
as he firmly believed, resulting in any thing
1 Mr.. o. was clearly in favor of leaving TIA,
subject 10 the House of Representatives, who
it they wished to act on it, would take it up
and he, therefore, moved that the resolution
be indefinitely postponed.
1 MIR. lVUU.Gpl was oupoae6 IN fle ,,ct,,,