Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-04-19
REDUCTION OF SALARIES.
REMARKS OF MIR. PRENTIss,
IN SENATE -MARcH 9, 1871,

Diplomatic expenses Of The Government for the
| gear 1S4l.
The motion pending being to limit the salaries
of collectors us not to exceed ia any case the
sum Of $4,000
Mr.. Prentiss said that ho wished to say word
or two in explanation and vindcaiion Of the vote
he should give. He was aware that action was
more needed than discussion at thar late stage of
! ibc session. aud he should not permit himself to
say nny thing, especially when much important
business remained undisposed Of if circumstances
would allow Of his remaining silent. lie would
assure the Senate, however, that his remarks would
he very brief, and that he should take up but a
few moments Of their iime
Mr.. =. said he should vote for the amendment
proposed, and should also vote to retain all tie
provisions Of the bill of character siniila, TO the
amendment. He should dc this, he might be al.
lowed to say, not rom any motives of popularity,
but from deep sense Of duty, from settled CON
vction that he should in that way best fulfil the
high obligations resting npon him in the high pub
lie station I've wps i rnacd TO hold. lie would
not he understood as undertaking popularity be-
cause he disclaimed it n rule ofconduct but he
was quite to humble & unpreending an individual
to count greatly upon il, seek for OF desire any
which did not arise from the pursuit of right mis- by
right means. Whatever pupul rity that would bring
might he as grateful to him ms 10 any one but he
neither coveted nor ambitious of any other
Both The amendment and the provisions of the bill
10 which he had alluded rested upon principle
he had always advocated and had often voted for
and he could not allow himself to talsify all that
he had said and all he had done on Iorlner ocra
sions. He had, at n former time, declared his doc
times upon the general subject, and he had uni
tornly acted in conformity with tie doctrines so
declared. What those doctrines were would an
pear from the remarks he Ind made in 1888 on
Tho proposition TO increase the salaries of certain
Judicial officers of the United States, part of
which remarks he would take the liberty to read.
On the occasion referred TO, he expressed himself
TO this effect:
" Ii is undoubtedly correct in theory and wise
in practice to allow such salaries as will enable
you 10 command competent talents, aud TO fill your
Offices with able and meritorious men and il the
reason of the theory form rule which was inva-
riabIy observed in making appointments there
would he some plausible excuse at least, for the
unreasonable extent to which you have carried
your lberality. But how is the practice Are
| appointments made with sole view to merits and
qualifications? Is il not TO be feared that in gen
ernl, Offices are bestowed more ms reward for
tlsan services than with any reference to rner-
its and qualifications? Is there not cause to appre-
head that even your judicial offices, which ought
to be led with the most learned, able, and mp-
right men, without regard to party distinctions
must first be earned by slayisl devotion to the bar
ty in power and by savsl labor in the service of
partisan warfare? The theory or principle which
ought TO he the rule and guide seems TO be entire
|
| these degenerate and evil times.
| 81 hold that it is unjust to tax the People by
unnecessary expenditure in any way hnt expcn- |
dlture in ex,rayagant salaries is not only wrong
in principle as well policy, but has an evil and
pernlcious tendency. 1t is not only a violation of
the true principles OF this Government, and the
duty we TO it, but is violation of the duty
we owe TO the Spies, to allow salaries which will
enable officers to fiot III luxury, or TO live i'm |
style OF oscniation and extravaganza unsed to !
the manners, habits, and customs Of tie People in
the States where they dwell. In establishing the |
amount to be allowed officers oflhs Government
regard ought always to he had to the salaries al
lowed in the States where the duties fthe Offices
are TO be performed. The State Legislatures know
the expense OF living, as well the habits and |
customs of the People, in their respective States,
and the salaries established by them in general
regulated by just regard to economy, and to
what is reasonably due 10 persons employed in
the public service.
eff you exceed very considerably the salaries
allowed by the States, you not only give direct
encouragement to extravaganza, but make the Of
fees under the General Government the prnci-
pal objects OF ambition, and create and keep IN
among the People, natural consequence Of
youi prousion, constant party agitation and vo-
lent party excitement. The officers of the Cen
eral Government become prominent and active
Leaders OF parties, mnglc cOnspicuOusy in all the
political conflicts of the day, aud, by the means
which their cxtravagaDt salaries provide them are
enabled, if they nre so disposed, to plan and exc
cute corrupt and profigate partisan purposes In
this way the General Government may acquire
and exert u commanding and predominant nhu-
ence in the eleciOns-an influence no less danger
Gus 10 the independence Of the States, than iniu-
rlous 10 the character and best interests the Un-
ion.
have no disposition to deny to any officer of
the United States, much less TO a judicial officer
an adequate, aud even liberal compensation for
his services; but am opposed, on general prin-
ciples OF policy, as well as justice, to allowing in
any case, compensation obviously far beyond
what is demanded by the nature and amount of
services 10 be performed, or Ivy any other consid-
eraons properly apperhining to the subject. |
would proceed the principle of quanf,tm meruit.
and allow 10 every officer what lie deserves TO
nave, considering the dignity and responsibility of
the office, the labor to he performed and the ex-
pense to he incurred, having regard always to the
rate OF compensation given 10 officers in unaIa-
gons stations IN the state where he ia TO otiiciate"
Such, Mr.. p. said, were the opinions he Ind Ut
tered upon this floor not quite three years since.
lie had been guided by them at all times because
he thought they were right; and he would repeat
that he could not falsify contradict his expres-
sed opinions aud recorded votes, unless there
were new and strong circumstances TO Justify him
IN so doing. He was not ignorant that Thing
which was positively right might be relatively
wrong. lie knew that circumstances might be
such or might have SO changed, as not only to-
justify, but TO require opposition to n measure
which might he altogether right in the abstract
But no such circumstances attend the propositions
before the Senate. 1t provided regulations wlich
would be salulary at all times /; it rested Oh gen
eral principles of fitness aud expcdency which
were as true to-day as they were yesterday, or at
any period past and gone, aud would remain
equally true ia all the transitions of future time
Inc gong cut OF one Administration and the
coming in Of another did not alter or change It's
relations. VIVA. Mr. =. would do in such a mat
ter under one Administration he would feel him
self bound TO do under another.
The bill before the Senate having passed the
other House. afforded, Mr.. +. said, most lavora-
bic opportunity, which me was glad to avail him
self OF as far as he could, to give practical effect