The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2Madison, James
History
The Journal of the Debates in the Convention which Framed the Constitution of the United States, May-September 1787. Volume 2
Madison, James
Constitutional law -- United States; Constitutions -- United States; United States. Constitution
M^r Sherman was not afraid that the Legislature would make their own
wages too high; but too low, so that men ever so fit could not serve
unless they were at the same time rich. He thought the best plan would
be to fix a moderate allowance to be paid out of the Nat^l Treas^y and
let the States make such additions as they might judge fit. He moved
that 5 dollars per day be the sum, any further emoluments to be added by
the States.
M^r Carrol had been much surprised at seeing this clause in the Report.
The dependence of both Houses on the State Legislatures is compleat;
especially as the members of the former are eligible to State offices.
The States can now say: if you do not comply with our wishes, we will
starve you; if you do we will reward you. The new Gov^t in this form was
nothing more than a second edition of Congress in two volumes, instead
of one, and perhaps with very few amendments--
M^r Dickenson took it for granted that all were convinced of the
necessity of making the Gen^l Gov^t independent of the prejudices,
passions, and improper views of the State Legislatures. The contrary of
This was effected by the section as it stands. On the other hand there
were objections ag^{st} taking a permanent standard as wheat which had
been suggested on a former occasion, as well as against leaving the
matter to the pleasure of the Nat^l Legislature. He proposed that an Act
should be passed every 12 years by the Nat^l Legisl^{re} settling the
quantum of their wages. If the Gen^l Gov^t should be left dependent on
the State Legislatures, it would be happy for us if we had never met in
this Room.
M^r Elseworth was not unwilling himself to trust the Legislature with
authority to regulate their own wages, but well knew that an unlimited
discretion for that purpose would produce strong, tho' perhaps not
insuperable objections. He thought changes in the value of money,
provided for by his motion in the words, "or the present value thereof."
M^r L. Martin. As the Senate is to represent the States, the members of
it ought to be paid by the States.
M^r Carrol. The Senate was to represent & manage the affairs of the
whole, and not to be the advocates of State interests. They ought then
not to be dependent on nor paid by the States.
On the question for paying the Members of the Legislature out of the
Nat^l Treasury,
N. H. ay. Mass. no. C^t ay. N. J. ay. P^a ay. Del. ay.
M^d ay. V^a ay. N. C. ay. S. C. no. Geo. ay.
M^r Elseworth moved that the pay be fixed at 5 doll^{rs} or the present
value thereof per day during their attendance & for every thirty miles
in travelling to & from Congress.
M^r Strong preferred 4 dollars, leaving the Sts. at liberty to make
additions.
On question for fixing the pay at 5 dollars.
N. H. no. Mass. no. C^t ay. N. J. no. P^a no. Del. no.
M^d no. V^a ay. N. C. no. S. C. no. Geo. no.
M^r Dickenson proposed that the wages of the members of both houses s^d
be required to be the same.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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