The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-02
WASHINGTON, October 80, lS49.
Con Structure Mikangs.

1t seems that Mr.. Whlttlesey, the Comptroller of
the Treasury, has refused to allow the mileage
paid TO members of the Senate who were at
Washington when the new session opened for the
confirmation OF President Taylor's appointments.
Let US see how this matter stands. During the adj
ministrauon of John Quincy Adams, one Of the
charges preferred against HIM was, that he received
constructive compensation se If he had left tho
United States, when he went from Russia to meet
the British commissioners. Yet, after mnch de-
bate upon the subject, Congress did not think pro-
per to pass q law directing HIM toipay over TO the
Treasury the constructive pay received by him.
Since that time, il has been the practice to pay
Senators, who may be at the seat OF government
~ the time that a new ses.ion 10 called upon tho
opening OF new administration. Inc grounds
upon which this payment has been allowed, seems
30 be these; III Senator is not 20 be paid his
mileage unless he returns home, II would induce
Senators to leave, especially where they do not re-
side great distance from Washington, so as 70 bo
sure 10 receive their paw b. pursuing this course
at the close OF the session decidedly the most I'M
portsnt 10 the country, II would have but few Sena-
tors in attendance-possIbly, not "A quorum, or, IL
a quorum, bare one. To avoid thus, 1t has been
thought better TO allow mileage, and thus keep all
parties at their posts Again, the most distant
members would be placed upon different footing
from those who were near, aud would have 10 leave
their seats for a month 10 return home, while
those who could speedily return would receive
their mileage. This inequality ought, IN our judg-
"
asked, does the country receive from Senators
going home and returning, at the pcnl, too, OF not
having quorum in due season None whatever.
IN has, therefore, been thought best 70 pay the
mileage, instead OF scattering the members all over
the country at the very time that their presence 10
70 emineDty important as AZ the breaking up OF n
session. Besides, II this system of constructive
compensation ~ TO be repudiated, II my well DO
questioned whether Precedent Taylor, Ia absenting
himself from the seat Of government Che place OF
his dutes) can, IN equity and good conscience,
ask pay for the time that he was travelling through
Psnnsy lvHnia and New York and when his presence
was demsn ded at Washington. The same would
apply to Mr. Ewing, who was, not long since, far
of from his duties, IN the State OF Ohio. IL
may not be improper to add, that Ms practice has
been 90 long in use, that We think IL too late to
reject II now. Both Houses of Congress (the le-
Rlsaive power ofthe country being fully acquaInt-
ed with the practice, have virtually recognised its
propriety, by never bringing forward Law to
restrain H. II possible that SOM two or three
Senators may not have taken n; but that - qsrs-
ton for them to settle fcr themselves. They may
live near the seat al government and have little or
no mileage to receive; besides, they or their repre-
sentatiyes, after their DEATH may hereafter receive
the amount unpaid.
Lastly, The Vice President, as presiding officer
Of the Ssnate, having passed the accounts OF the
members Of the Senate. the course ~ the First
Comptroller may, with great proprietv. BE- doubted.
The subject Of their pay does net fail wiIhin his
Jurisdiction.