The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-08
To the Congrs.. OF IN. United state.

GENTLEMEN A sense OF duty impels me TO submit
you statement in reference to the mode in which nav
ments made 10 members OF the House on accou,
OF their mileage and per diem.
When entered upon the discharge of that par q my
duty, Speaker, which is connected with Me payment al
members, adopted mode Of performing il tina, hsl
been in practice by my predecessors for number Of
years that is caused acquisitions be made upoo M.
treasury in favor OF agents selected by myself 10 ma
these payments and gave to members from time 10 lin,
required, checks upon those agents for amooo,.
due account of mileage and daily pay Subseous,,
reflection, however led me TO believe that this mode
though sanctioned by precedent and pracsed for Ar
was not in conformity TO law and, being DESTROYS Of c
forming my action in the premises TO the law address
letter to the Secretary of the Treasury upon the sub
on the 9th u, which, together with the corresponds.
with that Office 10 which my letter led is here with cam
muncated.
respectfully invite your attention 10 this subject and
trust that some mode will be provided by law for m,lOs
the payments referred TO. that shall be as conyspsOt
the members as the present SYSTEM and at the same III,
no, be subject TO objection the score of inconsisD
with the spirit of the independent treasury law.
Very respectfully,
WASHINGTON. February o, 1852
WASHINGTON Jan. q, 1852
Sir; The act of Congress provides that 'the compen
ZION which shall DO due the members and officers of III
House of Representatives shall be certified by the SDest
and the shall be passed public accounts and ua
out of the public treasury"
In conformity to this provision and in obedience 10 mr.
views of propriey. desirous to dispense with han,
and other similar agencies, and to cause the csr6cs
aforesaid to be paid al the treasury.
The object OF this is TO inquire whether any and
any. what inconvenience will result from this mode Of mar,
men, either to the Treasury Department or to the menhu
and officers OF the House Of Representative
An early reply will very much oblige yours respectHy
LINN BOYD
Hon. THos. CoRwIs. Secretary of the Treasury
Treasury DEPARTMENT, jan %, ls52
SIR acknowledge the receipt your letter ofz7th Inst
the subject of paying the members of Congress ind
uay the treasury, and state reply that if such mod
of payment is to be adopted officially, il would involve
very heavy additional labor and some increase in ds
clerical force Of the department For Treasurer o
United States TO make these payments officially would
necessary that there should be separate requston from
you for every payment, which would have follow all The
usual forms, and pass through the Office Of the Secrela
the Com puoller the Register and the Treasurer with
separate warrant and separate Teasurss draft in each
and requiring the signature of all the above ossp
H. however, you Sfe disposed dispense with thee o
ca forms, and make the Treasurer your special agent for
the payment Of the mbers could accom- pshyd win
much less difficulty The plan then would be 10 make yor
acquisitions in large amounts as has heretofore been done
and place these In the hands of the Treasurer TO
parties. which would be the vouchers for the final sa*
Of the account The difficulties in the way Of The ere
cution Of this plan would be that the duty be pso
ed by the Treasurer In his individual capacity; and be
was unwilling to assume the responsibility oft in that form
could not be exacted OF him and also that he would only
be individually liable for any losses his o
bond would not apply to any duty thus performed On
this latter plan probably and certainly TWO addioGi
clerks in the Treasurers Office would be sufficient to per-
form the extra duty.
In case OF adopting either plan, IL win be understood that
the payments could be made the treasury only CON-
and that II the parties wished drafts other points wOuR
be necessary that they procured them elsewhere them
selves.
The department viii cheeriuly lend all the aid ia 10
power TO carry out your views la any change you mar
think proper to adopt regards the mode Of paying the
members OF the House.
Very respectfully. your obedien, servant
THos CoRwlN,
Secretary OF the Treasury.
Hon. LINN BoYD,