The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-07-30
REDUCTION AND COMES SION

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We have watched with much interest the
debate which has been going on in the House
of Representatives for the last few days, conf
dent that it was merely another covering pro-
let. sought to be noised abroad as the grand
scheme of the majority. But what comment
is this very discussion npon the pTotracfea
length of the present anomalous session
proposition is made to allow members per
diem of eight dollars day until the end OF the
fifth month of the session, and after that the
per diem is to be reduced one-fourth at the COM
mencement of every month
Here is an open, barelaced acknowledges Mt
that Congress ought to do all the business that
comes before it in FIVE months; and that II they
do not accomplish their task, they deserve to be
punished by reduction of the wages.
Now the present session is in its eighth
month and is not yet ready 10 adjourn, nor Is 1t
probable that it will be for two weeks or
month"; or perhaps two months longer. Yet i've
months is long enough to sit; SO these wise and
honorable gentlemen declare
What will their constituents say to this de-
claraton against Practice? What can mem
bers say to their constituents, for consuming
$SOO,O0O Of the Peoples money when they
confess that $500 900 is sufficient, reckoning
the expenses of Congress at the very low rate
of 800, 900 per month =
The majority would fegn place the respon-
sibllity of this long session on the PRESIDENT,
but the People soon discovered that trap as the
twelve line bill was not vetoed until the sevenlh
month. Mr. Fillmore would throw the censure
upon Mr.. Forward but was told 10 his teeth, on
the floor of the House, that he was himself the
cause of the delay, because he had no right 10
call on the Secretary for proJet OF Iarlft.
The People are not so blind as the majority
would have them. They can see as far as the
best of the members, and will not fal to an :
swer them in proper time and with tangible
reason at the elections.
AS last grand scheme to appear remarkably
patriotic and economical, after taking $3Oo'ooo
(the whole amount Of the land money! too nauch,
nv their own confession, out of the Treasury,
they bring forward a bill to reduce the wages
of members But the bill must not take Ell
feet now. Oh, no! This session has been
prolonged by the obstinacy of the President
(wbo agreed to all they did for seuen months, J
ssand we must have our full pay" And next
session they will get eight dollars day for the
whole time. Many of these gentlemen are per-
fec,ly aware they can never be reelected, so
that by passing this bill they secure lull price,
while the members OF the next Congress are 10
be cut off. Thus the present Congress get all
the turkey, I'd leave the poor little pigeon Tor
their successors.
What wonderful Legislation What astound
ing wisdom What devoted patriotism
But they do not more than half agree on this
question, simple as it is and some of them de
clare that Congress ought to sit all the year
round Probably Mr.. Bolts would be entlrel,
willing to remain at Washington from January
1st to December 3lst if he could but continue
originating charges of Impeachment against TIT
Executive What when members say thel
services ought to be concluded in five months
shall we have a session all the year round ? Ar
the People ready to pay million and hall 0
dollars to allow members to collect and publls