The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-01-18


widely. lie concluded that members were
willing to render their services while their
expenses could be paid, and was altogether
opposed TO an increase of pay.
MIR. Blake thought the pay Of the men,
bers ought to be raised; bu, members, he
thought, would feel some delicacy abou, vo.
ting to increase their own paw ut present
session. He wanted the bill TO have q fair
chance, and therefore it was his wish that
it might be made TO take effect from the
first Wednesday in May next. He offered
this as a motion, which was carried.
Subsequently, it was moved, and voted,
tha, the extra pay of the Speaker should
commence with the present session.
Mr.. Spencer stated that MIR. Clark labor
ed under IA mistake. Members did not
formerly attend without pay. The towns
paid their members, some one allowance,
and some another. Members from small
towns were not as well paid as those from
larger ones, and to equalizc the system,
law was passed to pay them all by the State.
The sum allowed, he said, had barely met
their expenses, and the increase Of those
expenses, in consequence of the present
high prices, demanded an increase of pay.
Mr.. Il. T. Hazard thought the present
pay high enough. He should vote against
any proposition to raise it, and concluded
by moving the indefinite postponemen, of
the bill.
Mr.. Randolph was in favor of the bill,
and opposed its postponemcnt. He wan
ted to try the sense of the House on the
merits Of the bill ITSELF; was not afraid to
take the responsibility, on his part, nor to
meet his constituents afterwards. Was not
afraid they would accuse him of acting from
selfish motives in an affair so small and
if they did, as far ms personal considerations
were concerned, he cared not even for that.
MIR. Hazard pressed his motion, which
vas put; and lost.
Mr.. Spencer disliked the distinction made
in the bill between the Speaker and other
members of the House. He had no objec-
ton TO vote to pay him for his services Mt
the close of the session, if his labors had
been well performed; and had no doubt
there would always be members enough in
the House who would do the same.
Mr.. Randolph did not much like the ap-
DtdTduCt VI WI SpUHtti DFODoshl' ~
was somewhat too much like employing a
man at certain wages per day, and then
giving him drink Of cider if he would do
the work well.
Mr. Spencer said this was the way he al
ways did. lie didn't mean to say that he
always gave a man drink of cider but
he always gave man more than he agreed
to, if he worked well, by adding to his wa
ges a piece of pork, a piece Of beef, or
something else that might be useful to him.
On the same principle he was ready to pay
a Speaker more than his allowance as a
member, if he worked well.
Mr.. Curtis thought there WAS considera-
bic force in the proposition of the gentle
man from Warwick, Mr.. Spencer,] pro-
vidcd he would apply the rule to all the
members.
Mr.. Spencer said he had no objection,
provided those should not be considered the
best who talked the most, while others sat
still and minded their business.
Messrs. Slsson, Brown and Blake, made
some other remarks in favor Of the bill.
A motion to Law il on the table, was lost,
and the bill passed-3l to 27.
The petition of Indian tribe 10 sell land
Passed over.
Petition Of Gamaliel Gay, relative to cul-
ture and manufacture of silk. Indefinitely
| postponed.
Petition Of f. p. Ingersoll and others,
for act of incorporation. Leave to with
draw.
Petition of Engine Company, No. Z,
Providence, to increase number OF men,
Granted.
Memorial relative to inspection OF Beel
and Pork. Indefinitely postponed.
Petition of United Train of Artillery, for
appropriation TO repair gun carriages, tum-
brils, and harnesses. Granted. }. A
Clark, Committce.
Petition Of citizens Of Pawtucket Uersu
distractions in the navigation Of Pawtucke
river, connected with bridges, draws, &c
Referred to Messrs, Potter, Clark, ant
, Randolph.
On petitions of r. I. Silk Co, and Noun
Hope Bank, the petitioners had leave t.
Withdraw.
Petition of Ben. l.. Bourn und others
postponed.
The bill to increase the pay ofthe mem
: bers of the Assembly, was returned iron
, the Senate, non concurred.
7 Petition Of 5. Robinson and others, re
: Iatiye to Lobster law-psssed over.
{ Petition of William Greene, for sale q
, real estate, postponed.
Petition Of X. I. Agricultural Bank, 70
: liberty TO increase capltal-recommlited.
: Petition of Sylvester knight and Others
E for State Bank. Petitioners hId liberty
withdraw.
! Mr.. Simmons submitted a bill allowih
e the Speaker double the amount Of pay al
E lowed member Of the House, to operaI
. from the commencement ofthc present se'
c sion.