New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-10-19
MIR. GIDDiNGs,s CHARGES.

We have given place 10 Mr.. W hlttlescy's let
ter in reference to the Mileage accounts Of
Hon. J. r. Giddings, and to Mr.. Giddngs's
reply As this Mileage controversy was ours
before it became Mr.. Whittlcsey's, We add a
few suggestions on our own account.
When the present rates of Congressional
Compensation and Mileage were fixed, lin 1870
travel was almost uniformly performed in stage
coaches or on horseback, at the rate of 30 to
81 miles per day, and hard work at that. The
total cost OF passage, living, and other incl
dentals, would average fully ten cents per mile
A. a JUST and liberal compensation for time and
expenses, therefore, the Compensation Law
allowed each Member eight dollars for each
DAYS service in Congress, and the same amount
for every twenty miles travel in going to or
returning from Washington. Twenty miles was
not. of course, regarded as fair days work
but considering the higher expense OF travel,
and the inevitable wear and tear, the Mileage
allowance was intended to be a fair counterpart
of that for Compensation.
TIE Mileage was 10 be estimated "by the
most usually Travelled road - mot route from
tie Members residence 10 Washington-rOdds
being substantially the only routes in that day
Ard these reads were in most instances identi-
cal with the Shortest MaH route between the
two points. Where difference existed, it
must have been a slight one.
Since 1916, great revolutions have been ell
fccicd in the facilities and means of travel.
The road by which Mr.. Whittlesey first trav-
olcd to Congress as a representative Of North
Eastern Ohio has been greatly improved AMI
shortened, while travel thereon (or near it) has
been signolly quickcncd and chcapened but
Mr. Gddings has found it still easier and cheap
cr when the Lake is OPEN to reach Washing
ton by way OF Buffalo Cor Dunkirk), Albany,
Ncw-York aud Philadelphia. lie can reach
Washington Via Dunkirk within three days at
farthest from the moment OF picking up his car
pet-bag and stepping out of his own door, at
cost of not more than S25 while Mr. Whittle-
sey was probably week in reaching the Fed
eral City via Pittsburgh, etc, at . cost of some
$40
Mr.. Giddings saves time money ana soreness
OF bones by navigating the on Great Circle
10 al which there is no objection We are per-
iecty willing that whatever saving he NAV thus
effect should becntirely and absolutely ais own
But is Il fair, is L jast, that the People stoud
pay him triee as mHch for each journey as i 40
cheaper, quicker aud egsisr modes cftrarct GaR
tbosc Of lol6 had crer been deyissdy
This is the vital question. Mr. Giddings
does not meet it, BY lodging behind Commit
tees on Mileage, Mr.. Fillmore, and magnifying
the letter OF the law at the expense of its
spirit. lie eyinces a conscious inability to meet
il. l. msy be thar the naked letter of the act
would justify his charges. But We insist thai
The Obc.ORs intent Of tie Law is against him-that
Lee takes advantage OF a cOniessedly defective
vicious and antiquayed cOlocation of word. 10
81 his pockets fundamentally. Just consider
she Injustice aud inequality of this Mileage COM
pensaton according TO Mr. Giddings's con
,uuction Of il. Garfield Mr.. Whittlesey's
lone is n the same District with Jefferson,
where Mr.. Giddings resides, and some fifty
miles south of it. Living in Jefferson, Mr.
Giddings cont nds THAR bis Mileage is properly
500 while ii be lived in Canficld il would be
only SX73, though lie can reach Washington
quite as quickly and eheaply from jefferson as
he could from Canlcld Does he not kao.o
that The law never iafeadcd 10 create any such
unjust disparity!
Suppose there should be some new improve
men. in locomOtion whereby Mr. Gdlings
could reach Washington, by way of Toronto,
Montreal, Quebec end Boston, in half che time
and At hall the cost now required for his jour
ney via DunAira and this City-would it be
right for him to receive from the Treasury
twice the amount Of Mileage he nov takes
According to his logic, il would; especially if
Mr.. Fillmore should do so, aud Mileage Com
mittee should urge it upon him; but We should
hope that his conscience decides differently.
We believe in q higher law than Congress can
enact, and that acts Of Congress are 70 be
taken advantage Of only as obey conform 70
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