The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-07-28
XIII ~" ~ To-

Mr.. FILLMORE said he had no personal interest
in the subject now under discussion, as he would
most probably not have seat again on the floor
He was opposed to the reduction; but the pay
might be regulated to enforce attendance,
so that the House should not be so frequently left
without quorum lie approved much Of the
propositions under consideration cut off pay for
non-attendance He could not tell whether this plan
would prove efficient remedy but at all events it
was worthy of trial Unless some reform of this
evil were effected the House would sink IN respecta-
bty. But he could not agree to a reduction of the
mileage. If the mileage should be made insufficient,
we should in three years have the question OF remov
ing the Capitol to the West agtated on the floor OF the
House.
Mr.. POPE did not consider himself an officer OF
l the Government. Gentlemen induced TO seek
seats In Congress not from the prospect of making
money, but by the dignity of the situation He was
in favor of the bill, because he wished the pay low,
that legislation might not be deemed money making
business, and because the of six dollars which
was formerly allowed was found sufficient
Mr. SHIELDS thought the last section Of the bill,
which enacts general reduction in the salaries of
all the officers of the Government the most mpor-
tant feature of the bill The high compensation of
the Federal officers is dangerous. That they
trayagantly paid is evident from many facts. But
while reduction of all salaries is necessary, he did
not think rule should apply to all. He would
graduate the ratio of reduction according to the
salary, and accordingly had prepared an amendment
to that effect
Mr. GWIN indicated the distant members from
the South and West of receiving extravagant mile
age BY reference to facts he showed that the
amount allowed was not more than was required to
pay their actual expenses.
Mr. BOVINE was opposed to the reduction. Ii
the constituents of other gentlemen did not wish they
should receive much, he confident his consti-
tuents did not expect him to leave the comforts OF
his home for compensation less than he now re-
ceived. What was the motive of bringing forward
this bill at the present moment, he would not
venture to say, for he would not impute mo-
tves. But what judgment would the people, both
far and near, be induced to form of this movement,
from the declarations and conduct of its father and
its professed friends. Give me but two weeks, said
the gentleman from Tennessee, to gather public
opinion on this subject, and will overwhelm this
House. Two weeks Why two weeks of delay
would kill the bill eectuay for the present session
Again, when an hour since motion was made to
pass the bill at once, the gentleman exclaimed, the
motion would kill the BILL In his opinion the bill
must go to select committee, and when once so dis
posed of we all know what would be its fate. Nor
the gentleman acting alone Others, too, re-
sisted its present passage. The inference that all
would draw from these premises, that the protested
friends of the bill will have gained reputation OF
disinterested economy, even If sleep the sleep OF
death in a committee.
Mr. GILMER did not rise to debate the merits of
a BILL the details of which he mad had no chance to
learn but to test the sincerity Of those who were so
Jealous for retrenchment His opinions on this SUBJ
ject were already known. The committee over
which he had presided had long since reported seve-
raj bills covering all proposed in the one now under
debate. Of these bills, Mr.. G. gave brief sketch,
and in conclusion expressed wish that the House
should go into committee Of the whole, and discuss
the question at once.
The SPEAKER suggested that the House could
not go into Committee of the Whole on a particular
bill.
Mr.. PENDLETON obtained the floor and after
few remarks, moved the previous question, but there
second.
The debate was further continued by Messrs
JONES, of Maryland, BROWN, of Pennsylvania
and GORDON.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Indiana, illustrated the
purport of the amendments he had proposed
To the reduction of the salaries of the officers of the
Government, he felt readiness to accede Econ
omy in the different departments of the Government
would be best attained by graduating the compensa-
ton to the services. In this graduation reform no
doubt is needed but pro rata reduction Of all saa
res he showed would be unjust His BILL therefore,
regarded the two Houses OF Congress only, and war
SO projected as to attain all the reform practicable
1t gave pay of eight dollars day, because that
amount was not deemed cxorbtant but it diminished
this amount after fair period had been allowed the
performance Of the public business that If the scs-
protracted beyond hat time cupdty could not
Justly be imputed the With respect TO mile
age avoided the difficulties ofhe old law by taking as
the distance to be paid for, straight line measured
on the map, from the residence Of each member of
the seat of Government. Amid all the perplexities to
fixing on the rule he induced to regard this the
most equitable. At all events, it did not favor the
distant MEMBERS but rather reduced their mileage,
while, in some cases. it increased that ofmembers re-
siding nearer the seat of Government. In conclu-
sion, Mr.. L. withdrew his motion of instructions to
the Committee Of the Whole, and moved that the
Committee proposed by Mr. Arnold should be in
sructed to inquire into the expediency Of adopting
his amendments.
Mr.. B URNELL spoke next and was followed by
Mr. SMITH, of Virginia. who inquired whether the
provisions of the bill were designed by its author to
affect his own interests, whether its operations
TO be deferred to bear on his SUCCESSOR
The first section says that the bill shall take effect
only on the Congress that shall meet after the fifth
day of December next. The next session Of this
Congress meets on the fifth; so The gentlemans
form will apparently not reach himself.
Mr.. TURNKEY followed, and, in conclusion moved
the previous question On the second, tho yeas and
nays were ordered. The vote resulted as follows
Ayes SO, noes 70.
Mr.. ARNOLD moved to insert the third of De-
cember in lieu of the fifth. Objection was made.
On the main question the ayes and noes were or
dered The vote stood, Ayes 80, noes 10. So the
bill ordered to be engrossed.
Mr.. MARSHALL obtained the floor the pas
sage of the bill. When he had finished, the House
adjourned without taking the question.
TOASTS.
We copy the following toass from publish
ed account of the proceedings at Enfield, N. c.,