1512. CONGRESS, Compensation of Members.—[continued].
According to the opinion
I hazarded to you, we have had almost an
entire change in the body of Congress. The
unpopularity of the compensation law was
completed, by the manner of repealing it as
to all the world except themselves. In some
States, it is said, every member is changed;
in all, many. What opposition there was to
the original law, was chiefly from Southern
members. Yet many of those have been left
out, because they received the advanced
wages. I have never known so unanimous a
sentiment of disapprobation; and what is
more remarkable is, that it was spontaneous.
The newspapers were almost entirely silent,
and the people not only unled by their leaders,
but in opposition to them. I confess I was
highly pleased with this proof of the innate
good sense, the vigilance, and the determination
of the people to act for themselves.—
To Albert Gallatin. Washington ed. vii, 78.
Ford ed., x, 90.
(M.
1817)
