the first speaker, dylan berg of pennsylvania in the first congress, he simply was the presiding officerd two dollars more than the other members. six dollars a day. he got eight dollars a day. and for that eight dollars a day, he said, oh, i spent most of it on oyster suppers for the members. he did not feel like it was much of a bonus. he felt like he was losing money on the deal. but even he felt like he was elevated above the members. >> the door to the house chamber is behind you. the speaker is second in line to succeed to the president after the vice president. what does this say about the speaker's authority? >> the speaker is great -- has great authority in the constitution to that respect. that was changed in 1947 with the succession act which brought the speaker up to a higher position as the highest elected officer after the president and vice president. then it goes to the president pro tempore of the senate after that. the speaker is after the vice president, if something happens to the president, the speaker is in line to succeed. that 47 act was an effort to look at havin