Mr. Giles then proposed his motion.
Mr. Hillhouse was against the introduction of these words.
Mr. Varnum hoped the motion would prevail. The services of the Speaker are extraordinary and laborious. The State Legislatures, he said, always allowed their Speaker double the pay of other members.
Mr. Murray hoped the words would not obtain. He considered the Speakership of that House as a very elevated situation. In certain contingencies he believed he was the Chief Executive of the United States. He thought the calculation of pay too mechanical. The dignity of the office was sufficient, without extraordinary compensation; the duties of it were well known.
The question was put, and negatived.
Mr. Giles moved to fill up the blank for the daily allowance of members of the Senate with six dollars.
Mr. Page proposed seven; when, after a few observations from Mr. Williams in favor of six, the sense of the House was taken, which was in favor of six dollars—only twenty-one members rising in favor of seven.
The allowance of the Speaker again coming into consideration, Mr. Swift wished an inquiry might be made into the duties of the office. It was his opinion that many members upon committees performed greater services than he; and if the Speaker had an extra allowance, they ought to have an extra allowance also. Some gentlemen thought, on the score of dignity, a high salary ought to be paid. He thought differently. Can it be supposed it would be necessary, said he, to give any member of this House double pay to accept of the office? No such thing. Being now discharged from any obligation to treat members, he could not agree to allow him the usual sum. He should not object to two or three dollars a day extra, but no more.
Mr. Giles thought the duty of the Speaker three times as arduous as that of any other member of the House.
Mr. Crabb voted for striking out the words, but he was not for diminishing the salary of the Speaker.