PAY OF PRESIDING OFFICERS.
Mr. Henry's bill [S. 261] fixing the compensation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives at $10 a day, being read the third time--
Mr. BELL hoped the bill would pass. Submitting that it is true economy to pass such a bill as this. The Presiding Officers of the two Houses should receive a respectable per diem.
Mr. COMSTOCK thought there would be no question as to the propriety of the passage of this bill.
The bill failed to pass by yeas, 24; nays, 14.
Pending the roll call--
Mr. SHAFFER, in explanation of his vote, when his name was called, said he did not support this bill from the fact that the compensation is the same as that of members, while their duties are very little more. Then the great honor conferred upon Presiding Officers is sufficient to compensate them for any extra duties. He opposed an increase and therefore voted "no."
Mr. SPANN, when his name was called, said he did not agree with the Senator (Mr. Shaffer). While the duties of these officers are the same, they involve a large amount of responsibility; and as other States have adopted the rule of paying the Presiding Officers more than the Members, he voted "aye."
The bill failed to pass.
