The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-24

subject Of allowance for mileage II never entered 0o
the minds Of members OF Congress at any time thai nm.
mileage was TO be compensation for services Il Vs.
intended simply TO deiray the expenses which menbss
might incur in travelling from his home 10 the scat AZ
government And at The time when II Rrst fixed !,
30 for every twenty miles, II was not al all unTeasonah
Want oil the facilities OF intercourse which now er;s,
rendered perhaps very proper allowance al that peroS
and then, in 1885, when the power OF steam had not been
applied 10 both water and land AS Il has since been an
piled, perhaps this was very proper allowance "a,
travelling 10 the seat OF government Bot now SIR from
the great advance which has been made 10 ocomoiys
powers OF men IN consequence OF these facilities OF in
iercourse, think the sum ia higher considerably, in.
stead oil being lower than il ought TO be
But there y no intention on the part OF the House to
disturb this body The senator says The House has not
shown proper OF decacy towards the Senate h
cause the Senate alone is 10 be operated by this pro
vision. Why sir, cases may rise in which the Houss
would be operated upon also. call OF the House To-
geher, Immediately after the termination OF the sesson
would bring up precisely the same case.
Mr.. BADGER, lin his seat) That would not bring III.
House under this rule. because the call must be made
thirty days before The House can assemble.
Mr.. CLAY, (contnuing) But, sir, differ entirely with
the honorable member about this question We are
legslatng upon common subject. We are component
branches OF the legislative power, and each has rsh
to consider what will be proper and necessary in respect
to the other
The honorable senator has sad in the course Of his d.
servations this moining that Il $4,000 were addedD
what he receives tor his per diem and travelling CON.
pensaon il would be inadequate TO defray his expenses
Why, sir ii that is the recommend to my honorable
friend to practse little Of that economy WINCH should
Ike 10 Introduced more extensively into the expenses
OF this government
Sir, Iwould remind the Senate OF an anecdoie, and
beg pardon OF the senator in doing i. voted for this
compensation bill which alusion has been made and
on that occasion addressed audience which was in
favor of all the provisions which 10 be made in this
allowance Then, now, in deliberatve bodies, every
body was pleased with such spirit, as The honorable
senator has made this morning. Well, Dir, | said very
liite upon the subject everybody being IN iavor OIL In
creased allowance 10 members OF Congress-; but har
pened 10 say precisely what my friend has said, te
ends meet in my expenses was travelling, some time
in Uniontown, Pennsy lvani, ACCOMPANIED
by my family on my way 10 the seat o government and
happened 70 have four horses g my seT
expensive ones, to be sure but looking oleraby well
My brotherin law accompanied me in his carriage
which was much finer one. Well, we stopped at a
tavern. and tarred all night While there stopped aa
to buy some articles for the use Of my
children While was engaged in the purchase The
carriages drove by, and the boy who serving The
store. not knowing who was, said 70 M. Look at
before! II is no wonder that fellow cant
make both ends meet" [Greal langhterl
Now | am afraid my friend from North Carolina
incurs expense than is absolutely necessary los
member OF Congress, when he requires an addition Of
2 500 to his compensation. II would be liberal allow.
ance made to US here.
But, sir the proposition is, to do away with the Pa
tice OF constructive mileage; and can say without
giving offence to any one as wish to do, would say
that 10 my humble opinion no present abuse of the priv
lese OF members OF Congress that has existed under
the government is greater Than the charge OF that
structive mileage. do not mean to 60 into the tech.
ncay Of the law. The principle Of mileage is founded
upon actual travel That is the basis OF ittravel, real
or supposed in every case and in where session
terminates day and begins the next neither BY sup
position, nor by any presumption, there be any travel
which forms the basis of the allowance 10 members Of
them without intending 10 reflect upon genemanv Who
has taken different view OF the subject; but they are
facts which i is impossible to eradicate shall there
fore vote with pleasure to concur with the House the
retaining OF this provision which terminates this cOnstuc
tive mileage
[Mr BADGER made some further remarks, which will
appear hereafter
Mr.. DICKINSON. rise, Mr.. President, not 10 make
remarks upon the subject OF mileage but simply to :ay
that is absolutely necessary that this bill should be bn
shed to-day. II is now approaching three O'Clock, and
every member has made up his mind upon this subject
hope the question will be taken
do not like the provision nor do like 70
strike il out II is wrong in itself but il may be made
right, think, by an amendment. As this proySoa
to go home and return before the extra session CON-
mences receives his mileage; while the member thai re-
sides so far of tina, he cannot 90 home and RETURN re-
ceives neither mileage nor per diem compensation wLt
he has TO stay here. Now, this is wrong; il is noti
provision. therefore propose to amend
before the vote is taken striking il out, to have
n read when amended
"Nor shall any member of the Senate receive
Of mileage for any session Of that body which may Be
called within thirty days after the adjournment Of bob
houses OF Congress- exceeding the amount 81 diem
which he would be entitled during The vacation"
lfthat amendment be inserted it will be reasonable and
right The man that stays here will receive his IS M
day, provided his mileage home would give him mon
than that II his mileage would give him less, le; bio
90 home and return The man who resides at greaids
lance ought not to be kept here during that thirty days
without either mileage or pay per diem.
The Chair stated the question as follows:
To strike out the clause in question: and insert;
"Nor shall member Of tue Senate snonot
Of iieage, for any session OF that body which MAJ
houses oil Congress, excredng the per diem Of member o
e time wh,cn may eapse between the regular and hs
called session T"
Mr. CASS. II seems to me that we had better get rid
OF the subject altogelnef think the senator ton Ken
lucky has placed the subject 10 true point Of view. "
u not question oil compensation, but how the comen
lion shall be received Now, tue mind evos at The idea
OF our staying here month prior 10 the calling o. e
session, and draw mileage as though we went nome
believe that the strict legal construction has been gen
condition Of the country is different now IRON whaiR
was when that law was passed, and tbink 'ne hN
cush longer exist do moi believe Il is tar, az
equal, just and polite law for giving members Of Coz
gress compensation. II operates very usequaliy now
and II Is far lime 70 ut an end To II thinEh
could make change for the better IN the compRs
ton Of members OF Congress, we hal better set to Won
now and do It.
Bir. DICKINSON. In my judgment, il is my duye
repeat that we have three important general apI rorn
ton bills back YET executive calendar and but os
week left TO Transact all that business | hope ~
OF The aior from OHIO will be reiec,edN
common consent, and that tina, question viii no "
opened now. This other question We will hayetoaa
upon because Il comes from The House.
MIR MASON. must make remark upon one woia
which fell Iom the honorable senator from kenucKy'