New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1873-03-27
L "Reminiscences.

The New York Ecc,usy Post n,,uIgr, in en-
interesting political Renaissance suggested
by the unpopular compensation bill recently
passed by Congress. II has dug from the
archives of our past history the fact that in
the year 1910 Congress passed bill very ike
that whereby the late Congress grabbed about
million and half Of money from the Treas
ury "a compensation for services already rem
dered. This bill Of lSl6 provided for rayiug
each member some 81 500 a wear, with ,le,!uc-
tons for absence, except in case of sickness.
IL gave double pay to the Speaker and the
PRESIDENT OF the Senate, if there should be no
VICE President. 1t passed the House by a
vote OF Al Democrats and 40 Federalists,
against 81 Democrats and l. Fcderalists. In
the Senate there was an affirmative vote of
Il Democrats and II Federalists, against 8
Democrats and 3 Federalists.
The excitement throughout the country
over this action of Congress was even greater
than 1t is now with regard to the present sal
airy bill. Legislatures condemned it, popular
meetings denounced it, and grand urles CEN
sured it, The pressure was too treat and
at the next session Congress repealed the
act, the repeal taking effect after that session
expired, thus securing to our immaculate fore
fathers the benefit Of the extra compensation.
but cutting on their successors from the full
benefit OF the original act. Before its passage
members had 50 per day, after the repeal
they received IS per day. There was in this
early, as we'll AS in the present act. a retro
active clause which was not repealed. Bear
ing on the universal unpOpularity of thi. act
IN the country at that time some suggestive
and amusing anecdotes are related.
Henry Clay was then one of the most pOp-
ular men In the country, but he voted for the
bill and it nearly defeated his re-clection
vi that canvass the following story is given /:
during the canvass Mr.. CLAY met an old
hunter who had previously been his devoted
friend, but was now opposed to him on the
ground OF the compensation bill. Have YOU
a good rife, my friend p asked Mr.. Ciay.
Yes.' Does it ever tash?' Once only.,
What do you do with it-throw it away Z?
No; picked the flint, tried it again. and
brought down the game Have | ever
flashed but on the compensation bill p NO.
VIII you throw me away?' No! nou
quickly responded the hunter, nearly over.
whelmed by his enthusiastic feelings Il will
pick the flint and try you again p
Mr.. Gays opponent at this time was John
rope. lie had but one arm, which fact must
be remembered in reading the following:
| AN Irish barber, residing ut Lexington.
mad always given Mr.. Clay his vote, and on
all occasions when he was q candidate for
office, electioneered warmly for him. His
ardent temperament and unrestrained pas
sions frequently involved him in scrapes and
difficulties, out of which Mr.. Clay had gener-
ally succeeded in extrcating him. While
the canvass was going on, after the compen-
sation bill, the barber did not eyince hi,
usual zeal and animation; on the contrary
seemed to be Indifferent as to the result o
the election. To all inquiries for whom he
intended to vote, he answered evasivcly
lie was accosted few days previous to Tho
election, by gentleman for whom no haC
the most profound regard, with the question
For whom, Jerry, do you mean to vote .
Regarding his interrogation with an earnest
shrewd look, he replied, Fax, an shure
docthur, l name to vote for the man wl.c
can't put more nor one hand into the thresh
ury.'"
John L. Calhoun's biographer refer, to the
same matter in the following Passage:
During the same session bill was passed
changing the per diem pay Of members 0
Congress into an annual CONDENSATION O
81 800. 1t proved to be exceedingly unpopu
lar; so much so, that the greater part Of tn.
members who voted for it declined offering
for reelection, and those who wero again
candidates, with few exceptions, were de
ieated at the polls. Mr.. Calhoun voted 70,
the bill, though he took but little part or in
his constituents he found for the first time
the tide Of popular favor against him.. 50
strong was the current that his two prede
cessors, who had retired in his favor, Gen
Butler and Col. Calhoun, the latter neal
relative, were both violently opposed to him
and the former cane out as candidate
against him. They were both men Of grea
influence, the one residing at Edgefeld anc
the other at Abbeyille, and these two
formed the Congressional district. only ;
, few faithful friends ventured openly to Vim
dicate his vote"