New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-06
MILEAGE FOR CONGRESS.
Extra Session Gives Members $780,
000-Customs of the Past.
IFRoM TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU


be that of mileage. Probably not later than
Tuesday Joint resolution will be introduced
appropriating $780, 600 for payment of travelling
expenses of the 476 Senators and Represent
atives to and from the seat Of the national gov
eminent
The With Congress, at it's last session, ap-
propriated like amount for this purpose. cover
Ing as was supposed the first session OF the
LvIIIth Congress. On the first day Of the extra
session. which convened November ., resolu-
ton was passed making Immediately available
the money appropriated for the regular session.
Thereupon 476 members marched up to the
geant- -arms's office and drew their allowance
of 20 cents mile. each way. the amounts vary
ing from SIG to $2,4O0. aggregating $19OOOO 1t
is an established custom in Congress that an
extra session carries with it double appropria-
ton for mileage. and members who have been
sounded on the subject have intimated that pre-
cedent would be followed in dealing with the
mileage problem for the extra session OF the
LVIIIth Congress. Members will draw their
extra mileage. whether they have gone to their
homes since November or not.
The question of travelling expenses for MEM
bers of Congress was first formally taken up
by that BODY at the close of the first session.
September, 1859, when the following law was
enacted:
Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House OF
Representatives in Congress assembled, That at
every session of Congress and at every meeting
of the Senate in recess of the Congress prior TO
March 1, 1895. each Senator shall be entitled to
receive So for every day he shall attend the
Senate, and shall be allowed at the commence
ment and end Of every session and meeting ST
for every twenty miles of the estimated distance
by the most usual route from his place OF resi-
dence to the seat of Congress, and in case any
member shall be detained by sickness on his
journey to from any such session meeting,
or after his arrival shall be unable to attend the
Senate, he shall be entitled to the same daily
allowance. Provided always. that no Senator
shall be allowed a sum exceeding the rate Of
ST per day from the end of one such session
meeting to the time of his taking his seat in
another
The basis of computation was originally fixed
at 80 cents mile. each way, TO cover the actual
travelling expenses of the member. The horse
and the stage coach were the only means OF
conveyance in those days, and the figure was
placed at So a day because from actual ex-
Perience 1t had been found that this amount
consumed by many members notably those re-
siding in mountainous regions, In making the
journey to the national capital 1t found
that twenty miles constituted a good average
days travel. and. as a members position de-
anded some little display and style. for which
he was compelled to pay handsomely at the
hotels on the way. the SO day did not more
than cover actual cost
Evidently some of the members found even
this amount inadequate for on March f. IDS
when the first law expired. the rate for travelling
expenses was increased to So cents mile. The
new act was retroactive for a period of six
months. 1t is evident that the additional five
cents a mile not favorably viewed by tho
PEOPLE at large, however, as the following year
the old rate of 80 cents was again adopted The
salary, which had been raised from Sc to ST a
day, also reduced to the original amount
In 1918 Congress fixed the compensation for
members So day with 40 cents mile for
each way for travelling expenses. This rate
continued in force until 1866, when a law was
passed fixing the compensation Of members at
S5,OOO year and mileage at 20 cents a mile
each way.
In 1850. when California blossomed into State
hood and sent two Senators and two Representa-
tives to Congress. the only practicable means
of reaching Washington by steamer around
Cape Horn. The allowance for mileage at that
time was 40 cents mile each way. When the
four members from the Golden Gate State pre-
sented mileage certificates aggregating nearly
forty-eight thousand miles, emitting them to
about $oSOOO the presiding officers hesitated be-
fore approving the vouchers, signing them how
ever, after investigating the law and ascertainin
that such payment would be strictly within the
statute. The distance was nearly twelve thou
sand miles. and at 40 cents a mile each way
AS matter of fact, the four members from
California received almost as much money for
mileage as the rest of the members of Congress
combined.
In those days ocean transportation was prirni-
tive. The greyhound of to-day had not ar
rived. The Flying Dutchman steamboats, ply
ing between New-York and San Francisco when
pressed hard, were able to make the distance in
ninety days-six months for the round trip
Following a short session of Congress. the MEM
bers of the California delegation were able, pro-
viding they could Immediately connect with the
Flying Dutchman. to reach their homes and
give three months to personal and political af-
fairs before embarktng upon a return steamer
for Washington. to resume their seats for the
long session. Then fifteen months must elapse
before the California members could again sight
the Golden Gate. The long sessions usually
lasted until July or longer, leaving insufficient
time TO make the round trip before December
The California Senators and Representatives
found some compensation, however in the al
lowance drawn for mileage which in their cases
amounted to more than three times the amount
of salary. The latter compensation was ap-
proximately $1,000 annually from 1918 to 1866
After a long session, even though unable to go
home, the California members drew the $500
allowance OF mileage Just the same. In the lat
ter part Of the fiftes railroad was constructed
across the Isthmus of Panama and the CaIifor-
mia members made OF this method of reach
ing Washington. Although this shortened the
time of transit so they were able TO return home
after even a long session, they nevertheless ap-
parently considered the Cape Horn route by
ElVne he