Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-08-23
Pay OF Members OF Congress-


The new law for the compensation of members
of Congress, very materially increases their pay.
If it shall result in inducing them to pay cor
responding increase Of attention to the duties of
their Offices and the interests of their constitu-
ents great point viii be gained. Undoubtedly
the business will now be much expedited, and all
accomplished within one hundred days of each
regular session. In which case, the compensa-
tion of each member, being at the rate of $4,000
for each Congress, would average about $50 per
day, besides the mileage, pretty snug sum,
which it is hoped may be sufficient inducement
for the highest legal and business talent to enter
the Congressional arena without fear of pecuni-
airy loss. The following is copy of the new
law, in full;
Sec. l. The compensation of each senator,
representative, and delegate in Congress, shall
be $4,000 for each Congress, and mileage, as
now provided by law, for two sessions only,
to be paid in the following manner, to witt
On the first day of each regular session, each
senator, representative, and delegate, shall
receive his mileage for one session and on
the first day Of each month thereafter, during
such session, compensation at the rate of
$4,000 per annum, during The continuance of
such session; and at the end of such session
he shall receive the residue of his salary due
to him at such time, at the rate AZORES aid still
unpaid and at the beginning of the second
regular session of the Congress, each senator,
representative, and delegate, shall receive his
mileage for such second session, and, month
ly, during such session, compensation at the
rate of $4,000 per annum, till the fourth of
March terminating the Congress and on that
d,x aarb fofi md 5aIa 20
shall be entitled to receive any balance of the
$4,000 not heretofore paid in the said month.
ly installments as above directed.
Sec. 2. The President of the Senate pro
tempore, when there shall be no Vice Presi-
dent, or the Vice President shall have become
President of the United States, shall receive
the compensation provided by law for the
Vice President, and the Speaker of the House
of Representatives shall receive double the
compensation above provided for representa-
tives, payable at the times and in the manner
above provided for payment of the compensa-
ton of representatives.
Sec. 8. This law shall apply TO the pres
ent Congress, and each senator. representa-
tive, and delegate, shall be entitled 10 receive
the difference only between their per diem
compensation already received under the law
now in force aud the compensation provided
by this act.
Sec. 4. In the event of tho death of any
senator, representative, or delegate, prior to
the commencement of the first session of the
Congress, he shallbe neither entitled to mile
age, or compensation and in the event of
death after the commencement of any session,
his representatives shall be entitled to receive
SO much of his compensation, computed at
$1,000 per annum, as he may not have re-
ceived, and any mileage that may have ac-
tually accrued, and be due and unpaid.
Sec. 5. If any books shall hereafter be
ordered to and received by members of Con-
gress, by resolution of either or both Aouses
of Congress, the price paid for the same shall
be deducted from the compensation herein
before provided for such member or members;
ProUtdsd, AotoeUer, That this shall not extend
to books ordered to be printed by the public
printer during the Congress for which the said
member shall have been elected.
Sec. 6. 1t shall be the duty of the Ser
geant. alarms of the House, and Secretary
of the Senate, respectively, to deduct from
the NJ onthly payments OF members as herein
provided for, the amount of his compensation
for each day that such member shall be absent
from the House or Senate, respectively, unless
such representative, senator, or delegate shall
assign as the reason for such absence the sick
ness of himself or some member of his fami-
~. s
The curious wording Of some portions of this
enactment, shows the weakness legislators labor
under when regulating their own pay. For in
stance, it provides that all books received by
members, under resolution of Congress, shall be
paid for By the members, and the payment be de-
Quoted from the salary, except in cases achere
books are printed By order of Congress. And again,
it prescribes, in case of absence, payment to be
deducted from the absent members salary at the
true rate per diem. usLess the representative shall
assign as reason for has absence the sickness of
himself or some members Of his .fanlily. Verify,
how easy matter it is for NJ. C.s to get ercep.
ions Of such a nature An easy matter, for
sooth, it is, for them to order any number of
thousand volumes of books to be printed. And
in case Of absence, honorable members Of Con-
gress cannot be supposed to be less fertile in
invention of excuses than any other class of men,
under the same circumstances. Some slight all
meEt, or light distemper, If not always actually
existent, in oneself or some member of his num-
erous household, is never far off, and the imagina-
ton readily supplies any deficiency. OF course,
then, absence at home, or at the Springs, is per-
fectly justifable, while drawing $50 per day from
the public crib. Why would it not have been
much more honorable and aboye.board to have
made no provision at all in regard to absentees.
But suppose member wilfully absents himself
for portion or even a whole session. Why, he
merely has deducted from his salary So for each
days absence, thus netting for himself the snug
sum Of S22 per day should he not even go near
tae Capitol the whole time for which he is elect.
cd. This would clear him besides his mileage,
some over $4,000 per session. BY this rule,
member elected, though not going to Washington
at oil during the two sessions, but remaining at
home about his own private business, would yet
be entitled TO over $4,000 besides his mileage,
cut Of the national treasury. The policy OF
awarding $50 per day for attendance, with de-
ouetion OF only So for non. attendance, without
wand excuse, can be regarded in no other light
IMAM as a sort Of premium by Uncle Sam, on un-
iSl'niuinesS to, and negligence Of, public duty.
Ne 90 not say that members soiH do this. only il
Opens ~ 'Ae door for such as may be SO disposed.
ne law certainly could be amended yery mpcb
'oi 'ne better in some respests, however good
may be iaprosisions generally. eV'O