New-York daily tribune., 1856-08-18
FROM WASHINGTON.
From Oar Own Correspondent

From Oar Own Correspondent
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Aug 16, 1856.
The voting yesterday upon the Compensation
bill OF Members of Congress Occssoned no little
lutteriDg in the House. There was an evident
desire to pass the measure, and yet reluctance
to face the responsibility This exhibition of
weakness did not improve the chance Of its sdop-
ton or enhance the merit Of the proposed change.
The thing is right abssrsctly, and those who were
most unwilling to go on the record were probably
most desirOus Of its success. It re luired some
strength of nerve, to be sure, to add $500 q year
to the compensation fixed by the Senate. But
when the pinch came, the Withholding patriots
came up to the scratch in sufficient numbers to
saye the increase and secure an ultimate majority
For several minutes the result was doubtful, and
the great area was thrODged with anxious faces
while much cOGtdsion prevailed. As the changes
were announced, and the backward came forward,
the scene became both animated and amusing.
According TO the bill thus passed, and which the
Senate subsequently adopted, the pay will begin at
the expiration Of the last Congress, and will make
difference OF several thousand dollars each in
favor OF the present members. 1t gives nominally
S3,OOO year as compensation, meaning 80, 900 a
session, or actually about $4,000 year, as two
Ordinary sessions are about, or little short OF a
year. ! he mileage is continued, while the books
are cut of, aid members charged with absence,
except in cases of sickness. Altogether, the CON-
pensation is not too high considering the cost Of
yiDg here--whcb will now be enhanced, as it is
remarkable fact that prices rise in proportion tO
the increase Of salaries II this measure will
check practices which have become too common
ard notorious on the floor it will at least have
served ore good purpose, while only giving Just
remuneration TO honest and capable men.
Inc Investigations instituted by the Post Office
department into the alleged deprrdatons, have
resulted IN demonstrations, that the changes were
ID great degree, unfounded. When members
were required to specify in writing, and to re.
uce general statements, to particular allegations,
twas found, they were lees ready to meet this re-
sP0nsDiIity. The impression is, that If abstrac-
lions occur at all, they are more frequent before
;eachng the Post Office, with oil its sins, than
fterward. The brazen fact, that the most valu-
Bile OF the books said to be depredated are openly
for sale here, is connected with the other one
qually potent, that members do cell the books
'oted BY Congress, creates the suspicion in rome
minds, that the mail service has been conveniently
charged with the iniquties Of others, who thought
to screen themselves behind its vast ramifcatiOns
The report that Mr. Dobbin ia to retire from the
Navy Department, and to supersede Mr.. Nason at
Paris, turns out to be without any manner of toun.
datior. II the latter were to be removed at all u
would be on the express ground that his health
disabled him from the proper discharge Of the on
cisl duties. In this respect Mr. Dobbin rs
equally unfortunate, and the argument that might
be addressed in the one case cOsh be sppied with
equal effect ia the other. But oir. Mason WIZ NOT
be oispaced while Virginia STICKS to nun; ald II IA
among tie virtues of Virginia that she never de-
eerts sny of her numeross progeny In ofhee. She
cries, IKE Oliver Twist, L" More, more, but holds
what she bas This is one Of the great bands
which attaches the Old Dominion TO the Union.
Mr.. Dcbbin vii stay where he is. Eight or zine
month, sgc, adnonisted BY tae advances Of disease,
he desired TO withdraw from the Cabinet aud
staI don public life But the President imlned,
ately placed sn Unlimited discretion of absence at
10 command 70 recruit bis leslth upon condition