Mr. KING urged the danger of creating a dependence on the states by leaving to them the payment of the members of the national legislature. He supposed it would be best to be explicit as to the compensation to be allowed. A reserve on that point, or a reference to the national legislature of the quantum, would excite greater opposition than any sum that would be actually necessary or proper.
Mr. SHERMAN contended for referring both the quantum, and the payment of it, to the state legislatures.
Mr. WILSON was against fixing the compensation, as circumstances would change, and call for a change of the amount. He thought it of great moment that the members of the national government should be left as independent as possible of the state governments in all respects.
Mr. MADISON concurred in the necessity of preserving the compensations for the national government independent on the state governments; but at the same time approved of fixing them by the Constitution, which might be done by taking a standard which would not vary with circumstances. He disliked particularly the policy, suggested by Mr. Williamson, of leaving the members from the poor states beyond the mountains to the precarious and parsimonious support of their constituents. If the Western States hereafter arising should be admitted into the Union, they ought to be considered as equals and as brethren. If their representatives were to be associated in the common councils, it was of common concern that such provisions should be made as would invite the most capable and respectable characters into the service.
Mr. HAMILTON apprehended inconvenience from fixing the wages. He was strenuous against making the national council dependent on the legislative rewards of the states. Those who pay are the masters of those who are paid. Payment by the states would be unequal, as the distant states would have to pay for the same term of attendance, and more days in travelling to and from the seat of government. He expatiated emphatically on the difference between the feelings and views of the people and the governments of the states, arising from the personal interest and official inducements which must render the latter unfriendly to the general government.
Mr. WILSON moved that the salaries of the first branch "be ascertained by the national legislature and be paid out of the national treasury."
Mr. MADISON thought the members of the legislature too much interested, to ascertain their own compensation. It would be indecent to put their hands into the public purse for the sake of their own pockets.
On this question, "shall the salaries of the first branch be ascertained by the national legislature?"
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, ay, 2; Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, no, 7; New York, Georgia, divided.
