Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-03-29

complshing a paramount good. Weeks have been
occupied with proracted discussions upon questions
of trivial importance, which in way calcula-
ted to benefit the great body of the people. What
possible justification or favor such extravaganza
can find with the people, it is impossible to con-
ceive While retrenchment is the ostensible object
set forth by Congress for the many long debates
which are had, the true cause why the time of the
peoples representatives, is wasted so prousey to
no purpose, is evidently supremacy sordid and sell
fish. A very considerable proportion of the men,
bers of Congress, have other object in long ses-
sions than the consideration of pecuniary GAIN
Strong temptations are held out for protracting the
session to the latest PERIOD and until these tempta
tians are removed, we have no sanguine hope of
seeing time well employed and business promptly
transacted, in the halls of our national legislators.
The evil to which we allude is the exravagant
compensation, which is allowed to members for
their services per diem. 1t is not true as many
suppose, that the great majority of members Of
congress rich or that they do not regard eight
dollars per day an unimportant consideration
considerable proportion of the political aspirans
OF the day, who make trade of office seeking, are
either bankrupts or but few removes beyond insol-
vency; and this class of persons are but too often
successful in making their way to places of high
trust and power. Will it be wondered then that
many who succeed in being elected to congress,
are extremely ambitious to retrieve their pecuniaIy
circumstances by protracting the session. Eight
dollars per day IN specie, is no small sum to look
upon, even for those who regarded as men of
af1uence and property. Many a member of con-
gress would have objections to work at home
after the expiration of his time at Washington for
one dollar and fifty cents per day.
The emoluments of office when large, work
serious injury to the country in more respects than
one. They induce passion for office, and cause
hundreds to enter the lists of political preerment,
who would never be ambitious of such honor, were
the compensation no object. Were the fees of Of
tice holders reduced as low they should be, few
er men would enter the of political strife, and
seek to ride into power by management, corrup-
ton and intrigue. Honest and unassuming men
would not be overlooked amid the clamor of noisy
politicians, and the chicanery of political gamblers
1t is absurd idea that the services of men of tai
ents and legislative competency, could not be OBJ
tanned for the first offices in the gift of the peoples
were the fees of various offices reduced Public
spirit, PATRIOTISM and the nobler virtues of Repub-
hcanlsm, should be unalloyed and interrupted with
the passion of filthy lucre. If then we would
guard against bribery, corruption, and the things
that work the downfall of republics, we should re-
move the tempting gold from the grasp of the office
holders. If would see short sessions of con-
gress, business promptly done, and the people faith
fully represented, the fees of national egisa-
tors should be brought down from eight dollars to
two dollars per day. Ideness dissipation, as well
as insatiate thirst for the spoils of office, would then
not be fed by the government and we might rea-
sonably hope to see our nation redeemed from the
opprobrium, which squandering congress has
brought upon it.