The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-02
FRO BE CONTINUED.
SATURDAY, MARCH /, 1851.


EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The PRESIDENT OF the Senate laid before that body
a communication from the President OF the United
States transmitting compliance with the resolution Of
the Senate OF the 10th ult requesting information touch
ing the difficulties between the British authorities and San
Salvador report from the Secretary OF State and accom-
panying documents; which was read, and,
On motion by Mr.. DAVIS, Of Massachusetts,, it was
ordered TO lie on the table and be printed.
CREDENTIALS
Mr. WALES presented the credentials OF the Hon.
the State of Delaware for the term OF six years, com
mencing the 4th day OF March inst; which read.
PETITIONS.
MIR WALES presented a memorial of the governor
and members Of the legislature OF the State OF Delaware,
praying the establishment OF line Of steamers between
this country and the western coast OF Africa, for the pur
pose Of encouraging commerce with that republic OF
suppressng the slave trade and Of transporting the free
negroes OF this country TO Liberia which was ordered
Also, a petition OF citizens OF Delaware, protesting
against the passage Of the bill providing for the free
gaon of the ST. Lawrence and for reciprocal trade with
Canada which was referred 10 the Committee on Naval
Affairs.
CONSTRUCTIVE MILEAGE.
Mr.. PEARCE Mr.. President, now ask the Senate
TO take up the bill introduced by leave yesterday
being bill in relation to the mileage Of members Of Con-
gress
Mr.. HUNTER Before taking vote. | desire to sub.
nit motion have from half past three till
five o'clock, that we may have evening session to-
Mr.. BORLAND express the hope tina, the honor
able senator from Maryland will withdraw his motion
until We can make come reports Several committees
Wish TO close up their business and report this IL the
last day we have opportunity to do We wish 10
clear our desks.
MIR. DAVIS, OF Mississippi Mr.. President, have
been trying for two days report back bill which has
passed the House and referred TO the Committee on
Military Affairs and has been amended by iha, Commit
tee. want TO report i with those amendments.
Mr. FOOrE The honorable senator from Maryland
wishes that bill be subjected second reading,
that may be acted upon hereafter IL will occupy only
a moments time. II il is the pleasure Of the Senate,
ho,e 1t may be taken up
The question being put taking up the bill, upon a
division there were ayes 81, noes IL.
The Senate then proceeded, as in committee OF the
whole TO the consideration OF the bill Is ASH TO amend
entitled AN allowing compe asation TO the
members OF the Senate, members OF the House Repre-
senatves OF the United States and to the Delegates of
the Territories and repeating all other laws that sub
lecl = whch then read second time
Mr.. PEARCE. Mr.. Pfss'den,. beg leave 10 detain
The Senate Tor about FIVE minutes, while explain the
motives which led me offer and introduce this bill
The conversational members of Congress liked b.
the act of 1918. That act provided besides the ordinary
per diem allowance Tor attendance upon the sessions of
the Senate and House Of Representatives that senators
should be allowed receive at the OF eight dollars
for every twenty miles, estimating the distance by the
most usual route from his place OF residence to the seal
OF Congress, al the commencement and end OF every
such session and meeting; and this first section OF the
act declared that every member should receive this at
every session OF Congress and at every meeting OF the
oSnHle IN tne recess OF Son&rSss, uhy vi
March, 1917. WE'LL sir Tor many years no construction
was given to this act under which any member OF the
Senate received compensation the way oil this mileage
as Is usually termed, both sessIons OF Congress-
upon the commencement OF a new administration. Bat
IN The year 1SaI such construction given to il
tina, member OF the HOUSE OF Representatives whose
term bad lusi expired, received his mileage upon being
transferred to the Senate by the appointment OF his State
Legislature 10 the year 1916 the Vice President Of the
United States gave different construction. on further
consideration. 10 this act, and filed written opnion
drawn up with great ability, which he gave il "a his
decided convection tina, all members OF The Senate
entitled to these allowances usually called mileage
at the commencement Of each called session. or every
tour years WE'LL ar that construction wac repeated b.
The Presiding Ofcer at the Sennfe four yeats after
wards and upon beng submitted 10 the consds ration of
members uf the S-nae most em nsnt "A jutlss and
will beg leave say, most eminent Tor their purity oi
private character d-InleresteiDsss. and strict insg ty
was found that they entertained the opinions
which had been declared h, the Presiding Ocers ot the
Srn.,e nder this con -truciion ber- received what
has commonly been called communicative mileage. though
A. mink the nothing more nor lees than the com
p-tsal,on allowed by he law OF Congress know, ar,
Their. were sore members, however, who entertained