The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-07-27


hui'iess labor IN holding long sessions without quo
rum Gentlemen were here--he would not say
mogogu'ng-bui iegislating important subject,
ana he wished them TO esinee their sincerity by vOt-
ing on uie question now. 4 he previous votes would
prove nothing IT the bill went into committee
The bill was ordered 10 a second reading without
count, and on the engrossment the previous question
was demanded; bul the House refused 10 ofder It by
vote OF 81 To H.
Mr.. THOMPSON of Indiana, moved to commit
he bill 10 the COMMITTEE OF the Whole with inslruc-
tons 10 strike out all after the enacng clause aud
insert bill granting eight dollars 10 each member
every day OF attendance, and cutting oil the pay Of
the absentees unless the absence was caused by sck-
ness or permitted by the House enacting also that
NE session endure more than five months then one
fourth OF the per diem should be dsaowed for every
succeeding ninth until IL b, came nothing.
Mr BUTTS was opposed to tie proposition Of
applying the system OF retrenchment TO The per diem
No'hinS was gained by the pay. Fiom the mileage,
however the members from a dis ance realized large
Suiis-so large, that the pay of some including the
mileage amounted durlng the short session to twen-
y+iour dollars Il day Instead OF ducing the pay,
be would Increase itnot by increasing taxation on
the People, but by diminishing the mileage of those
Who received extravagant for their tfave ny
expenses He wished system that would quallze The
compensation Of the members.
Mr.. LEWIS regarding this bill merely ior re-
ducing he pay OF the members # the Houses be
would oppose II. they now worse paid than any
officers OF he Government Taking the two sessions
tgether they absent from their attending 10
he public business about ten months IN he year, aud
thei compensation amounts average about
$1,000 10 each Now even C, pyiDg clerks IN lhis
House receive $1,000 per annum, guards receive the
same, and messenger upwards OF 5000 But believ-
ing that the federal salaries all too high and
ing that this uovenent is but the beginning OF Ge-
'renchmcnt in all the Departments of the Govern
tnent IN was willing TO submit 10 this injustice to OBJ
tam general good.
Mr. FILLMORE said he had no personal interest
IN the subject now under discussion he would
most probably not have a seat again the floor
He 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. He approved so much OF the
propositions under consideration off pay for
non-attendance He could not ten whether this plan
would prove efficient remedy but at all events il
worthy of trial. Unless some reform of this
evil were effected, the House would sink in respecta-
bility But he could not agree to reduction OF the
mileage. IL the mileage should be made insufficient,
we should in three years have the question of remov
ing the Capitol to the West agitated the floor of the
House.
Mr.. POPE did not consider himself an officer of
the Government. Gentlemen were 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 sum OF SIX dollars which
was formerly allowed was found sufficient
which enacts general reduction in the salaries OF
all the officers of the Government, the most impor
tant feature Of the bill. The Ugh compensation Of
the Federal officers dangerous That they eX-
trayagantly paid is evident from many facts But
while a .ucton of all salaries is necessary, he dd
not think rule should apply to all. lie would
graduate the ratio OF reduction according 10 the
salary, and accordingly had prepared an amen .ment
to that effect.
Mr. GnIN indicated the distant members from
and If ytrlxa ty.iuu lp-
age. By reference to facts he showed that the
amount allowed not more than was required TO
pay their actual expenses.
Mr.. BOVINE was opposed TO the reduction. If
the constituents of other gentlemen did not sh they
should receive so much, he was confident his constr
tuents did not expect him to leave the comforts of
his home for compensation less than he
ceved What was the motive of bringing forward
this bill at the presen, moment, he would n
venture to say, for he would not impute NJ
tves. But what judgment would the people, bbth
far and near, be induced to form of this movement,
from the declarations and conduct of It's father and
its professed friends. Give me but two weeks said
the gentleman from Tennessee, to gather public
opinion this subject, and will overwhem this
House. Two weeks Why two weeks of delay
would kill the bill efeciuay for the present session.
Again, when hour since motion made to
pass the bill at once, the gentleman exclaimed, the
motion would kill the bill. In his opinion, the bill
must go to a select committee and when dis
posed of all know what would be its fate Nor
was the gentleman acting alone Others, too, re-
sisted its present passage. The inference that all
would draw from these premises, that the proiessed
friends of the bill will have gained reputation of
disnterested economy even if il sleep the sleep Of
death in committee.
Mr.. GILNlER did not rise to debate the merits Of
bill, the details of which he mad had chance to
learn, but to test the sincerity of those who
Jealous for reircnchment. His opinions this sub
ject were already known The committee
which he had presided had long since reported seve
raj bills covering all proposed In the one now under
debate. OF these bills, MIR. 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 particular
bill.
Mr.. PENDLETON obtained the floor, and after
few remarks, moved the previous question: but there
was no second.
The debate was further continued by Messrs.
JONES, of Maryland, BROWN, of Pennsy lyania,
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 hut pro rata reduction Of all sala
res he showed would be unjust His bill therefore,
regarded the two Houses of Congress only and was
projected to attain all the reform practicable
1t gave a pay of eight dollars day, because that
amount was not deemed cXorbitant; but it diminished
this amount after fair period had been allowed for the
performance of the public business that If the ses
q protraced beyond hat tue cupIdy could not
Justly be imputed the With respect 10 mile
aye avoided the difficulties ofihe old law by taking, as
the distance to be pad for straight line, measured
on the map, from the residence of each member of
the of Government Amid all the perpexitics to
fixing the rule, he induced to regard his the
most equitable. At all events, it did not favor the
distant members, but rather reduced their mileage,
While in cases, it increased that ofmembers re-
sid ng nearer the seat of Government. In concIu-
sion, Mr.. L. withdrew his motion Of instructions to
the Committee Of the Whole, and moved that tie
Committee proposed 10y Mr.. Arnold should be IN