The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-15
iCe-PreSident. Speaker
and Cabinet Secure In
creased Compensation.
MEMBERS AFRAID TO
VOTE FOR RAISE
Senators and Representatives Get
No Increase-Clark Says They
Fear the People and the
Press of the Country.
Salaries Are Too
Small.

WASHINGTON. ID. c.. December a.
BY vote OF los TO lSs, the House Of
Representatives to-day refused to increase
from $4,000 to $500 the salaries OF Sen-
ators. members and delegates The
House. however. by am Overwhelming
vote. Increased the salaries of the Vice
President, the Speaker of the House and
members Of the Presidents Cabinet 70
$1,000 each
in anticipation OF the question OF in
croasing salaries coming before the
House. there was an exceedingly large
membership present. and the debate on
the several amendments for increase.
which were offered by Mr.. Littauer. OF
New York to the legislative appropriation
bin. was followed with marked interest.
After dispos ug of the salary question the
House passed tho Legislative. executive
and judicial appropriation bill.
Mr. Ldttauer. of New York. opened the
discussion by presenting an amendment
raising the salaries OF the Nice-President
and the Speaker Of the House to $1,000
per annum. He spoke OF the dignity OF
the position of Speaker of the House.
ard said that every body recognizes that
tile duties are arduous. and that the pay
is unequal.
Mr. Underwood. OF Alabama. opposed
any further increase Of salaries along
the line OF legislative and executives
offices lie believed the salaries of the
minor clerks Of the government should
be increased on account of the Increased
cost OF living.
Highest in the World.
Mr.. Underwood further said that there
is no legislative body In the world that
pays its members as much as the MEM
oefs OF the Congress OF the United States
are paid.
His contention was that salaries ara
paid 10 members OF Congress so that a
poor man might come 10 Congress- and
represent his constituents
Mt Fitzgerald, of New York said lac
would vote for the increase. even il the
price meant political oblivion. lie called
attention 20 the salary of the Mayor OK
New York. and also To that Of the comp
troller OF that city. and insisted that the
Nlce-Fresioent and the Speaker should
oe paid salaries commensurate with the
dignity OF their omces
After other Speeches. the amendment
was adopted by vote OF PA 10 81. the on
position failing 70 secure votes enough tn
call the ayes and noes.
Having won most substantial victory,
Mr.. Llttauer introduced another amend
ment, as follows.
ON and after March &. 1897. the compen-
saucn OF foads Of executive departments
who are ms mbers OF tho Presidents Cab
met shall DE at the rate OF S12, 600 per
annum each
Mr. Littauer held up large picture
Of a president Of a baseball association.
whose salary had been increased from
$1,000 to SIS, 200 year, and contrastea
that with the salaries OF the Cabinet.
The amendment was adopted 2o4 to So
Mr. LAttauor, who retires to private life
WIN the close OF the present Congress
offered provision raising the salaries
or Senators and members OF Congress
delegates and tee resident commissioner
Trrf \
ment the time for the increase 70 begin
was fixed on March 4 1909
Mr. Bouteu. OF Illinois. said he was op-
posed 10 the proposition 70 increase sala-
ries OF members. but was glad 10 vote
to increase the compensation OF the
Speaker. Vice President and members OF
the Cabinet.
Salary Inadequate.
Representative Clark. OF Florida. said
he desired to discuss the question from
the standpoint of poor man. He called
attention to the fact that men are leav-
Ing the service OF the country and re-
turning 90 private life solely because
the salary which they receive in official
positions IS inadequate to maintain
them. And they see in the future Years
poverty FOR their children and want in
their oll ase.'
81 believe there are not ten men on
this foor who. IN private conversation.
Will not say. The salary is inadequate.
the increase is right but some say. Z
cannot afford 20 vote for IT,
lf the time ever comes while T am "A
member Of this House that 7 look upon
any proposition AS being right. and vet
] ana afraid to vote for t. I viii tender
my resignation and SO home"
A round OF applause followed which
rather startled Nlr. Clark "For Cots
sake let US answer the great daily papers
WI are challenging our courage to 90
upon tire record hv our votes before an
the country" was his concluding appeal.
NIr Lamar, or Florida. opposed the
amendment rs did Representatives
Grunna. or North Dakota. Lacey. of
Iowa. and Weber. OF Ohio
Others who spoke in favor OF chs
amendment wore Represent tatigcs Gros-
venor. ~ Ohio. and Sims and Gaines. sr
Tennessee. Tho amendment was de-
feafed by vote OF ayes 106. noes 1cs