The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-06-16
MILEAGE BILL.

After Mr. Thompson, Of Mississippi made his mo-
ton to reconsider the vote Ivy which the bill was
passed MIR. WILLIAMS, Of Conn, Chairman Of the
Committee who had reported it. made several attempts
get the floor but having been prevented by repeated
calls for the previous question he takes this method OF
laying before the public his own views on the subject
Of the bill together with the report Of the Committee
as expressive of the which induced them
unanimously to recommend il to the House.
After having dew tcd much time in ascertaning what
would be the proper allowances for mills age to the
bers respectively according to the provision of the pre-
law which fixes standard for such estimate the
distance ola members residence from the of govern
ment, 'by the most usual road regretted that they
were unable to satisfy all and at the same time do
Justice to the country Dissatisfaction existed in some
quarters not because the allowance had been reduced
hut because the reduction operated uncqually that
some gentlemen received than others in proper
ton to their relative distances from Washington
This inequality is the effect solely of the existing rule
for estimating those distances. The Committee
therefore constrained by conviction of duty pro-
pose the present bill which has in their opinion,
many and decided advantages over the law it is intend
ed 10 supersedc.
LIST. 1t will produce entire uniformity in the mode of
ascctaining the distance Of the several places of
dencc from the Seat of Government
I'd II will in some measure, correct the inequality
of the compensation of members, and thereby
much of the of existing complaints.
3D. II will secure TO each and every member whether
nearer remote from Washington n fair and
equitable compensation for his time and expenses in
travelling to and from this city.
ith II will save to the country, operating
both Houses of Congress upwards of sixty thousand
dollars, annually.
And is il not fit and becoming when so much has
been said about retrcnchment and reform, that the
work should commence at this place and at this time
The example fail to prove salutary to the
officers of Government Of every grade, well to
the people generally.
A similar Bill to the present one, passed this House
in 1881, but, as am informed, was lost in the Senate
Having given the subject thorough investigation,
satisfied that the rule it Processes is, upon the
whole, the best that can be devised since il will in
practice the great ends of uniformity equality,
and liberal compensation to every member for his ira
yelling expenses while il affords facility, and accuracy
in ascertanng the distance of each member from the
Seat of Government, and at the same time, save a
large amount annually, to the Treasury.
Mr. w. suggested that il important the Bill
should pass Immediately, that there might be time for
its being considered and acted on in the Senate.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Connecticut from the Committee
| on Mileage, made the following
REPORTS:
The Committee on Mieaee, in obedience 10 ne 9sth
rule Of he House, hare made report 10 The Ser
gedntdt-arms pursuant 10 The tar passed 22d ia
nuary, 1918 and they ask iedre 10 report bin
TO establish hereafter more uniform rule for com
putting The mileage of members IF Congress:
The law of 1918 providing for the compensation of
members of Congress, gives eight dollars day for
attendance during the session and eight dollars for
every twenty miles of estimated distance by the
usual road from his place Of residence TO the seat of
Congress- and the of pay each day if he
should be detained on the way by sickness
The practical construction which has been given 10
this act has allowed to members mileage upon the most
usual route Of travel making the word road synony
nous with route
| The introduction of steam as a locomotive power
has made rivers, bays and es,uaries great routes
| of travel and by this means well by railways,
which often circutous, the length of way in
cases actually travelled by members upon the usual
route has been greatly extended, while the time en-
ploycd and the necessary expenses incurred have
been greatly diminished. The design of Congress in
passing the act 10 give to members Just and equ-
table compensation for their time and expenses in ira
Yelling to and from the capital and doubtless the act
at the time of passage, accomplished the object But
the subsequent improvements and facilities in travel
ling have worked out exactly opposite results from
what was intended il gives increased pay while the
! time and expenses are diminished To show 10 what
extent ths mas been carried by travelling upon rivers
which have become the most usual routes and est
mating the distance by their sinuoses the nileage
atone OF some members Is more than equal TO the en-
IRE allowance LOT mileage and attendance of other
members during a session of seven months: whereas
the whole time necessarily employed in this travel
need not exceed twenty days. Again the usual route
to the residence of some members is practically found
10 be, IN some instances, several hundred miles more
than that TO certain other members. while such Nom.
bcrs travelling upon routes essentially Differing in
length, actually live within thirty to iity miles
OF each other 1t il manifest, from these consdcra.
tons that the distribution OF mileage under this law i,
unequal, il not unjust. Ii those who receive mos
have no than fair compensation, then other.
arc moi suitably rewarded The law, therefore ough
to be modified to apply itself with more cquaft,
and justice, and in in harmony with III,
service rendered and the expense incurred
There are also, between most of the important point
of travel TO the great cities and points Of business
usually than great route of travel and fire
qucny several varying considerably in distance an,
Il is often difficult 10 decide which IS the most usu