The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-18
Our Washington correspondence.

WASHINGTON, Aug l6 1855.
The Session Of Saturday NigM-Increase Of the Pay Of
Aemoers@ Ctngres-Dcspotchesf from Mr.. Dallas rhe
Central American Qnsstion, ETC., etc.
The session Of the Senate night had but one inter
estng feature in IT, and that was the voting on the bill
increasing the pay Of members Of Congress- The House
bill not only provided for salary Of 900 for each Con-
gres, but also applied the increased pay the present
Congress. The result OF this bill would be give each
member Of Congress back ratons TO the OF
$4,000, and o. 900 per mouth during tho Congress-
So 900 for three ths' session. Mr. Benjamin wss
as,onshed that the Senate would entertain such pro-
position. In this view he sustained by Senators
BayMs, Houston, Pueh and Others but the scent was
warm and the game not to be easily lost and the
country has presented the spectacle Of . Congress
voting themselves back pay, pay they were no
entitled to than the last Congress woad be Dr. any
other previous Congress- Yet tn act very proper
climax to the proceedings OF this extraordinary iegsa
tive boiy. DuriOg the amendments the appropria
ton bis Mr. Brodhead OF Pennsy lvania watched them
coseiy and objected TO th-m with uniform shriek'
FOE economy, but when the money being voted 10
himself he yielded most gracefully TO the circumstances
Of the hocr, and without hesitation, voted aye.
Oh consistency. democratic Senate joining
the black republican majority in plundering tho
public treasury Tho country will be heard on tins
measure An Increase Of compcnsa was very neces.
tar put that increase should have been properly made
An annual salary member Of Congress Is not only
uniignined. but highly improper when during ttc two
years for whsh members elected they are not en-.
fseed In the public service half tue time. Indeed many
members nos elected TOR eighteen hs and
yet will receive two years salary. The members fom
texas viii be elected u August 1857 but will be drawing
salary at $50 Ter month from March preceding This
Is great world, and growing greater There were
selye senators who resisted the fesh pots
Dispatches flom Mr. Dallas received by the last
steamer, aud their contents have already been made the
subject oi CABINET examination. All the proposals for
settlement Of the Central American question: on the part
o Lord Clarendon, with the counter propos OF Mr.
neas, are submitted In these dispatches aud mme late
action by our government requested thereon. My
formation warrants my saying that tho question OF ST
tlSpncnt is looked upon by our government now AZ
nxed fact and that Mr. Dallas will DO further Instructed
TO close acco ins tho Central American a1es.
ton with the British government | learn these
particulars from reliable source. but have not
betn able 10 get bold or the details agreed upon II
understood that France has for time manifested
oesire 10 England 70 make herself party 10 the set
III meDt OF the American difficulties This sreai Britain
wished TO AVOID but bad not the courage acauain
her ally. The wish was communicated to Mr.. Dallas
With explanation and perfectly sasfsc
tory, and the oierred Interference with
all due courtesy declined by Mr. Dals OF axree
able TO the feelings and VT hes OF lord Clarendon All
difficulties thte.tening between England aud the
United States being removed little proper prudence
on both sides may keep the countries In hAppy accord
Tor the remainder OF this ccntmy-a consum nation de
voutly 10 be wished.