The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-19
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TUESDAY, Feb. II, 1852.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Mogan,
and the journal read.
MAEAGE MEMBERS.
The SPEAKER announced the regular order
of business to be motion made by Mr.. EVANS,
of Maryland yesterday, TO recommit the report
of the Committee on Mileage, repeating so much
Of the law organizing the territory Of Oregon as
limit the mileage allowed to its delegate (Mr.
LANE,) to 81, 500, with instructions as follows:
Sand that the Committee on Mileage be d.
rected TO add together the mileage of all the men,
bers Of this House, and to divide the same by the
number of MEMBERS; and that the Sergeant-at-
arms be directed TO pay to each member Lis share
thereof, as so ascertaned."
Mr.. COBB, Of Alabama, remarked that he was
willing to go for the proposition Of the gentleman
from Maryland (Mr. EvAss,) providing that it
could be so amended to require members who
absent themselves their private business, during
the sittings Of the House, TO add together their
net profits while so absent, the same 20 be equally
divided among all the members. He thought that
some gentlemen residing 10 the vicinity Of Wash
ington made full as much money during such alb
sences, as would equal the difference between their
mileage and that Of those who lived at greater
distances.
Mr.. CARTIER, Of Ohio, called for the yeas
and nays on the motion TO recommit with instruc-
tons, which were ordered and resulted as follows
yeas 81, nays sc.
was rejected.
The question then required on ordering the bill,
as originally reported by the Committee on Mile
age. 70 be engrossed for third reading.
Mr.. CARTIER again called for the yeas and
nays, which were ordered, and resulted-yeas IS,
nays 80.
So the House refused TO order the bill to be en-
crossed.
Mr.. FITCH, Of Indiana, moved a reconsidera-
ton OF the vote just passed, and spoke in favor Of
the bill. As chairman Of the Committee on Mile
age at the last session, he had frequently asked
instructions to report bill modifying the law OF
1918, so as 10 compute mileage 10y the nearest
mail route, which had not besg granted. He was
not in favor OF that law, but in favor Of plac-
ing the delegate from Oregon on the same footing
M the member from California. He recognized
among the most active, not TO say most noisy, OPP
ponents OF this bill, certain gentlemen, who, at
the last session, first came before the committee
and requested TO be reported limited number of
miles, and subsequently demanded TO be placed on
the same footing with others asking to have their
mileage computed by the usual route. Now, IL
this Just in their case, IL also in that Of
the delegate from Oregon. He did not believe
that the Senate would agree 10 a reduction Of mle-
age, IL the House did.
Mr.. SwEETSER, ofOhio, asked If the gentle
man would exonerate him' He wished TO have
his mileage computed as il had always been done.
Mr. FELCH was understood 10 say that he
should
Mr. McMULLEN, Of Virginia, regretted that
this subject should ways take up 30 much OF the
time Of Congress, at this and former sessions
Do gentlemen, in making these propositions for
retrenchment, desire 70 make capital for Bun
combe, or do they desire, IN good faith, TO equaize
the pay Of membersi Under the present laws, he
believed that Il was impossible 10 FIX upon an
equitable principle Of computing mileage.
Mr. PARKER, OF Indiana, favored the passage
OF the bill. Time enough had already been con-
sumed in discussing the subject TO than cover
the difference between the sum which the delegate
from Oregon now receives, and what he will re-
ceive il the law limiting his mileage is repealed.
That delegate has not opened his mouth on this
subject, nor will he, n he should remain here until
the resurrection gun is fred
Voice. I was not aware that that great event
was to be celebrated by the firing Of gun, but
rather BY the blowing Of a horn: Laughter
Mr.. PARKER, in continuation, made some
further remarks in which he spoke OF the impro-
priety Of making this subject a party question.
Mr.. WAS1BURN, Of Maine, replied and dis
claimed any such intention on the part OF the
Democratic party. The gentleman should not
Judge others by bis own feelings. He Mr.. WI
believed that $500 mileage was enough for any
member, and il was the duty Of the House TO de-
crease rather than increase its expenditures.
Mr.. T0OMBS, OF Georgia, opposed the BILL
and said that IL was great mistake TO make the
law Of 1918, under which mileage is now com
puted, the rule Of action. That law was unjust
in its operation, and operated unequally on more
than one-half Of the members. Under II, mileage
had become very important part Of certain mem
bers, salaries. Mr.. i. alluded to there being two
classes of economists in Congress. One class
was willing to act upon every case Of retrench-
ment, as it came up, while the other was always
preaching economy, but ready TO act on any case
except that in which they had personal interest.
He lMr. I'll was for holding on to all that had
been gained in matters Of economy, and gaining
all he could. He did not believe, however, that
the lowest salary was always the truest economy.
Messrs. SrsvESs, Of Pennsylvania, and He