The Washington herald., 1906-12-15
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE


reconsider and take steps TO carry Ou
the original programme. Although nu
merous Democrats voted for the amend
ment, and speeches in favor OF It were
made by Dir. Sullivan. of Massachusetts
Mr. Clark. OF Florida. and Mr.. Gaines
OF Tennessee. all Democrats. the minor
ity as a whole did not furnish the degre'
Of support which the Republicans though
they had right TO expect.
Republicans Defeated II.
It was Republicans who killed the
amendment. however OF the 1Ss mem
bers who voted against II. 10 were Re
publicans and Is Democrats. while of the
1O6 who voted for it. 81 were Republicans
and q Democrats.
Considerable heat was exhibited BY
several of the speakers, notably, Mr.
Gaines and Mr.. Sims, and intense in
! terest was manifested at all times. The
legislative. executive, and judicial ap-
preparation bill was reported to the House
by the Committee Of the Whole shortly
after convening, and in accordance with
the agreement made Thursday. Mr.. Lit
tauer (Rep. \. " offered an amend
ment providing that after March 4. 1907
the salary Of the Vice President and the
Speaker shall be $4,000 a year. support
ing the amendment, Mr. Littauer said
the existing salary Of those officers was
In no sense commensurate with the dig
nifty and duties Of the Office. no Vice
President on Speaker. he said. &C lid live
rs he was compelled TO do and pay his
Ha. 4 =
As long as fifty years ago Congress paid
the Speaker a salary twice as large as
that Of members.
Mr.. BuTlesOn (Dem.. Tex)-Will the
gentleman state the salary Of the Speaker
Of the House Of Commons?
Mr.. Littauer.-Hc is paid s25, 900 a year,
and besides u magnificent Gothic mansion
IS provided for him. At the end OF his
service he is made a peer, and receives
pension sufficient 20 maintain the rank
So the speaker Of the French Chamber OF
Deputies. lie has S25.OO0 a year and a
regiment Of soldiers for an escort. And
the band plays every time be takes his
seat
The proposition was opposed by Mr..
Underwood Dem. Ala), who said he
die not believe there should be any fur
their increase Of salaries Of legislative
and executive officials
Mr. Gaines Dem. enn)-Dfdn't the
gentleman vote for the increase Of the
judges salaries? Are they any better
than US?
Mr. Underwood (calmIy)-I think so.
Mr.. Gaines (emphaticailyJ-W ]
never saw a Judge that I thought was a
better man than She gentleman from
Alabama or myself
Mr.. CnderwOod-I was speaking Of the
average member Of the House. like my
self. and not. Of course. Of the gentleman
from Tennessee.
Congress Not for MOneymakers.
Continuing, Mr. Underwood said Rep
ressntatves were not sent to Congress
to make money. and they ought not to.
out OF thei, salaries or their positions.
me hoaor OF the service, il was expected,
would compensate in some measure for
the performance Of the duty involved.
No other English-speaking representative
body paid its members, and he did not
believe an increase was necessary here.
Mr.. Hughes (Rep., ". Va.)-What are
your expenses?
Mr. Underwood have no objection TO
stating them. In Washington they Just
about equal my salary, but al home they
are not so great
Mr. Fitzgerald (Dem., " " said
he was ready 20 vote for an even
larger salary for these officials New
York City paid its mayor and numerous
officers larger salaries than Sl20e0 and
the sffices Of Vice President and Speaker
were certainly OF sufficient Importance 10
justify the peoples representatives IN
voting them salaries at least equal 70
those OF officers Of a municipality I an
also ready" he said. te vote what ! be-
!ieve 10 be fair. reasonable. and decent
salaries for members Of Congress. even
if that vote would terminate my career
IN this body"
The amendment was agreed to-214 TO 81.
Mr.. Underwood endeavOred to secure q
vote by yeas and nays. but only twenty
two members supported his demand.
This was followed by an amendment
fixing the salaries Of Cabinet officers at
the same sum-Sl2O00 per year-and II was
agreed tO-204 to 60. Mr Underwood was
again unsuccessful in his effort TO secure
a yea and nay vote.
Mr. Littauer SAID that the present sal
aTy-SS. .0G0-had been the pay Of Cabinet
officers for more than fifty years.
Every one knows that n dollar does not
60 as far as IL did then; and, I am re-
minded, II goes a good deal faster. To
add TO the gayety of the occasion. I de-
sire to exhibit picture of the president
Of the baseball league {holdlng up a
paper). which Is printed with a statement
that his salary has just been increased
from $4,000 to Sl5,0O0"
A voice-Why don't the Cabinet officers
grab that job?
Mr.. Littauer then offered what he called.
amid laughter, in view Of his retirement
at the end of the session. "a final amend
ment-tO make the salary OF members of
Congress $500. and actual individual ex-
penses in travelling to and from each ses-
sion of Congress, thus abolishing the
present 20-cents-a-miIe mileage
Upon this proposition Mr.. Underwood
was joined by Mr.. BoUtell CRep, I'D in
opposition.
BOuteII I'm Opposition.
Mr.. Speaker said Mr.. BouteH. Il am
opposed 10 this proposition TO increase the
compensation OF members from $500 to