June 22, 1787: Debate Over Congressional Pay

A view of the Pennsylvania State House by Charles Willson Peale. Independence National Historical Park

"Upon Complaint to this Board of the very great difficulty arising from the Carriages passing in front of the State House, so that the Honb. Convention now sitting there, are much interrupted by the noise of the same - Resolved that a Quantity of Gravel now hauling out of the Sewer in Fourth Street, be laid on Chestnut Street, in front of the State House.”

--Meeting of the Philadelphia Street Commissioners, June 22,1787

Friday, June 22,1787: The Convention Today

The Convention resumed discussion on the lower house of the legislature. The clause providing "fixed stipends to be paid out of the National Treasury" was taken up. Ellsworth (CT) wanted members of Congress to be paid by the states. Gorham (MA), Randolph (VA) and King (MA) opposed state payment because it meant state control. Sherman (MA) wanted the states to determine the salary and pay it. Wilson (PA) and Hamilton (NY) opposed fixing the salary in the Constitution; Madison favored it. Wilson moved that salaries be determined by the legislature and paid from the National Treasury. His motion was defeated: New Jersey and Pennsylvania for, 7 states opposed, New York and Georgia divided. It was then agreed to change the wording from "fixed stipends" to "adequate compensation."

Next the Convention agreed that members of the lower house should be at least 25 years old. Gorham then moved to strike out a provision making members of the lower house ineligible for other state or national office during their term and one year after it. Butler (SC) thought the provision necessary to prevent intrigue and collusions with the Executive. The motion failed, 4 for (Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia), 4 opposed (Connecticut, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina), and 3 divided (New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware).

Synopsis

• Defeated (7 – 2 – 2) a motion to permit the lower house to determine its pay
• Defeated (5 – 4 – 2) a motion to strike the National Treasury as the source of pay
• Agreed (7 – 3 – 1) on minimum age of 25 for members of the lower house

Delegates Today

• General Washington (VA) dined at Mr. Morris' (PA) and drank tea with Francis Hopkinson, lawyer, musician, designer of flags, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence.

Philadelphia Today

• After last night's heavy thunder shower, the day was clear and cool.

Part of a series of articles titled
The Constitutional Convention: A Day by Day Account for June 1787.

Previous:
June 21, 1787: Work Resumes on the Virginia Plan

Next:
June 23, 1787: Eligibility for Other Federal Offices

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