Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-07-28
PAY OF NENiDFRS

Mr. Arnold has introduced bill to reduce the
pay of the Members OF Congress from IS to Sc n
day We are OF the number, who think that the
pay should be abolished altogether, by law-ond
leave 1t TO the dscreton-no, of tho Members them
selves, as proposed 10y MIR Cost johnson, but to
their constituents to say how much they shalt re-.
ce'vc They will give to ono, who is able and IL
ling TO serve them, than another who is worth>
Iess-es is bu, right and Just. This reform, We
are persuaded, would be attended with the mos. sa-
u,ary consequences to the legislation Of the coun-
Try and the character of the Legislature Mere loaf
rswou!d be banis he'd the Legislative Halls. Mer-
eenary demasogues, who make more by going to
Congress, than they can at home-having no in.
dueemeuts, would cease to plague and hauass the
people, and poison their minds with prejudices and
filsehoods-they too would soon disappear ION the
stage. Ambitious men, who think moro OF them
selves than country, might still rcmain-but they
would he constrained to moderate their aspirations
and make them square with the common weal-and
then wi.houta spirit akin to ambition nothing great
or good can be achieved. The sessions of Congress
would be curtailed fully one half-there would be
more good laws and fewer bad SIN word
there would not be that superabundance of vicious
legislation, which is the bane Ut our country. The
public expenses, though in a matter of this kind
not leading and confronting consideration, would
be greatly diminished. We should feel the benefit
not merely from the amount appropriated to Con-
gresS-but VIC should see economy pervading every
branch Of the public service. A Congress, without
pay, would not lavish the public money upon
others and they you'd I've little disposed to ST, by
quietly and see the Executive officers revellius in
abundance tVbilef tbaNy b,l 4 4
reduction of salaries-besnning with the President,
snd running through the thousand pages of the
Blue Book, would speedily and inevitably follow.
And thus by single blow, we should restore tina,
economy and Republican simplicity so essential to
the public morals and the well-bcins o: the Re.
public.
II tie present Congress would adopt this scheme.
they would immorialize themselves, and confer
blessings, not to be calculated, upon their country
We know there are many obstacles in the way
but the more, the greater glory, when surmountcd.
There are many patriotic and disnieresied men,
who thnk that the services of faithful member IRE
worth fully 90 DAY, and that he ought not to he
thrown upon the cold charity OF the world for re-.
muneration. We do not pretend to deny that there
IS truth in this. But such men will not be less bo-
rally compensated by their constituents than they
are now. The chief hardship will fall upon the
worthless. who will either be driven from the pub
lie councils, or be compelled to make livelihood by
picking and stealing, There is no Justice in paving
a sol, loafer, or wranglng BLACKBOARD. who
is always disturbing the proceedings OF the House -
dissrncing it and the ntry-the same fee. which
IS accorded 10 the man of ability, industry and pat
r'oism, who devoies all his time and thoughts to the
public interests.
This Reform may not succeed now But succeed
will IN the course Of time, and thni, too, before
many years. The people pay too much Tor worse
than useless legisla'ion-,hey pay too much for the
services nj men who earn nothing. Justice, equity
and sound policy, demand a change. Lei the asiia.
lion begin.