The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-10-01
.Pay and Allowances"

.Pay and Allowances"
Senator MERwETHER has no cause to
thank the Union for its ingenuity or courage in
his behalf He has, rather, reasont to complain
Of its lack Of both. II neither essays vindi-
cation Of his Senatorial dealings with the public
treasury, nor ventures an effort to explain away
the dilemma in which he happens to be placed
1t recognises the difficulty with growl, and
then leaves him to his fate.
Others beside Mr.. MERIwETHER have rea-
son to complain. Democrats like the Rich
mond Examiner, which speaks of General ScorT
as ga popinjay," or the Pennsyluanian which
pronounces him coward, OF sundry other edi-
tors who denounce him as "a pluuderer," may
we'll be dissatisfied with the want of nerve dis
played by their metropolitan organ. 1t has
limited that he is, after all. second rate gene
raj, but always with the manner Of writer
who is ashamed of the duty entrusted to him.
And now, with every appearance of a desire to
send forth anew the imputations upon General
ScoTr's honor, the most it can do is TO insinu-
ate that eighteen dollars day are too much
for his services Even the insinuation is
clumsily done, for it starts with statement
which every intelligent reader will recognise
as contrary to truth.
General Scorr," the Union says, " re-
ceives SIS Os per diem. The Washington
Republic" it adds, "gives this as the amount"
General Scorr does not now receive the per
diem stated, and the Republic has not said that
he does His present regular pay as Major
General is nearer $l2 than SIS; the lat
ter being the average per diem of the
forty-four years. brilliant services that are
comprised in Mr.. MERIwErHER's report,
and embracing large amounts Of extra expen-
di,ures not personally chargeable to General
Scorr. Taking the case as prepared by his
enemies, his past pay averaged $lo OS, and
we are sure that the country will consider that
at that rate his services have been purchased
cheaply. 1t will not begrudge SIG per day TO
the greatest living general, as his gross ex-
penditure through a long and brilliant period;
nor will it deem $l2 per day too high for him
at present. The Union may make the most
of both facts Neither General ScorT nor his
party has any ground for being ashamed Of
them.
As matters stand, General ScoTr and his
friends may reasonably be proud upon this
point. He has the satisfaction of knowing
that the pay he has received has been less by
one fourth than that of the Senator who as
sailed him. General ScorT will enter the
Presidential chair true economist, for while
he, with with all his services, and all the ex-
tras Of prolonged military and civil duties. has
not cost the country more than $l8 O8 per day,
Mr.. MERIwETHER, Democratic Senator from
Kentucky, has cost SIS IS per day.
How is it that the Union, which has not
courage to defend Mr.. MERIwErHER, or inge-
nuity to help him, has not fairness enough to
condemn him? 1t is indignant at the thought
that public man has received amounts "with-
out law" but when it comes to particulars it
is dumb. 1t has no word Of rebuke for Mr..
MERIwErHER, who has drawn from the Trea-
sury nearly double the amount of mileage to
which he was entitled. But Mr.. MERIwETHER
is Democrat, and the Union must wink at
Democratic delinquencies.
Nor is the Union willing to face our ques
tions concerning Mr.. SoULE. 1t is appalled, at
the idea of General ScorT making speech
while travelling in ful6lment of a public
duty, but it never tires OF applauding Mr..
SouLE for travelling purposely to speak, to
the neglect of duties imposed upon him by
Congress. We again ask, Is Mr.. SouLf-
Mr.. PrERcE's travelling eulogist-in the re-
ceipt Of full Senatorial pay as chairman Of
committee appointed to bring to light public
frauds2 Is Mr.. SoULE neglec,iDg duties de-
volving upon him in that capacity? Is he, or
is he not, entitled to "pay and allowances" for
duties he does not discharge?