The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-07-14
THE MILEAGE BILL-TRICKs OF THE
SPOILSMEN.

The MILEAGE BlLL-TRICKS OF THE |
SPoILSMEN
| Under our congressional head, TO-DAY. viii be
found some notice Of the extraordinary proceed
ings Of the Senate on the Mileage Bill. The
great inequality in the sums drawn for mileage
| by different members residing about the same
distance from the seat OF Government has long
been matter Of complaint: and the enormous
amount OF public money pocketed by certain
Senators and Representatives, under the license
tolerated by the old system, is well known 10
those whose attention has been drawn TO the
subject The House Of Representatives PASSED,
several weeks ago, a measure designed 10 put a
stop to these extortons and abuses and 10 bring
the allowance made 10 the different members 70
some degree Of equality. As soon as it was
brought into the Senate, some Of the members
who were most nearly interested in keeping
things as they had been, stimulated by that
quick sensibility 10 pirate loss which with
| spoilsmen always oyerweighs every consdera-
ton OF public acknowledgement TO work 70 de-
feat the Bill. They began, as usual, by nd-
recton. The Bill was kept in the committee
room three weeks:-and the report, when brought
| forward at last recommended its indefinite post
ponement! In this movement they were de-
feated but some Of those so deeply concerned
IN maintaining the abuse were not restrained by
this unsuccessful issue from making another at
tempt. Theyresolved 10 fasten upon the Bill
provisions which have more 10 do with the
subject Of mileage than with the Northeastern
Boundary! One is 10 limit the amount Of sta
fionery now allowed TO members the number
OF qures OF foolscap and post, how many sticks
of sealing wax, how many waters, how many
bundles of red tape, how many quilts, steel pens,
blue and red and black ink, &c. &c. This may
be all very proper and if the one-tenth Of what
we have heard Of the prodigal appropriation to
themselves OF stationery by some Of the spoils-
men be true, the abuse calls loudly for redress
and prevention. But what had this 10 do with
the Mileage Bill?
Another provision is, that if member Of
either House shall be absent on the calling Of
the ayes and nays, he shall be regarded as alb
} sent for that day, and shall lose his per diem
compensation, unless he is unwell, or absent in
committee. The inconvenience of this rule,
| should il be adopted, are obvious Il is well
/, known that in the House Of Representatives
half the sitting is frequently lost in repeated calls
of the ayes and nays on the most trfng ques-
tons; and not seldom for vexatious purposes
merely A member could not go into the libra
ries to consult a book, or into the document
rooms to look for paper or bill-he could not
stepnto The lobby to converse with friend
he could not pey the ordinary and expected
civilities to his constituents-he could not pass
G from one House TO the other on business of the
q greatest importance TO the country or his State
or his district-he could not during the mos
protracted, exciting, and exhausting session, re-
Y tire few moments for necessary retreshment
without mourning the hazard of losing his com
pensation, though he may have been exemplary
in regular attendance TO his duties at every
other time of the day This proposition, every
man must see, was introduced solely with the
hope Of defeating the bill in the House OF Re-
representatives..
The American people will see these move.
ments in their true light. Let not the Fedora
Loco Focos in the Senate imagine that the eyes
d of the people will be diverted from the enormous
extravaganza Of this Federal Loco Foco admi
! nlstratlon in expendlng THIRTY SEVEN MILLIONS
Of dollars, over and above the accruing revenue
: by this little issue about the amount Of paper
wax, and tape, which the more greedy Of the
spols men have carried off They wish TO see
the bleeding arteries of profusion staunched
: Let that be done or cease 10 talk about re
i trenchment!
: And, as 10 compelling closer attendance in
Congress- let the provisions deemed necessary
$ be prescribed separately but if a great mea
I sure of substantial reform, such as the mileage
! bill, shall be defeated by ncumberng il with
the clause TO which we have referred, the coun
I try will place the responsibility where il belongs
: and should rest--on the shoulders Of the Fedora
: Loco Focos of the Senate.