The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-18
Cabinet Salaries,

The loud professions economy by all the Pierce organs
and orators, prior the last election and repeated by
General Pierce in his Inaugural, enthusiastically
illustrated at the close OF the session OF Congress by
the doubling of the salaries OF government offices The in
discriminate way in which the thing done strips the
case of all color Of justice, and leaves it simply
hbtion OF the rapacty OF those who Just ready to
thrust their arms into the treasury.
[Rochestr Democrat, (Seioard phtg.)
In the absence of every other claim to consideration,
the whg party have affected air of exclusive dignity
and decency, very much in character with that
temptuousy described by Hotspu in his account OF the
interview between himself and ga certain neat, trinity
dressed" lord This arrogant boast has been
than a vain pre,ension, by which an impotent party
sough, console themselves for the loss OF all respect
and influence with the people. 1t seems now that
even the hollow semblance Of decency is to be aban-
doned by the wing pary-that they intend to throw of
the restraint OF appearance, and to grove in the lowest
depths of demaeoguism.
Just at the close OF its late session, Congress attached
to the civil and diplomatic appropriation bill provision
for the increase Of the salaries OF the members OF the
cabinet. The absolutely necessary. Be
FORE the compensation OF a cabinet officer altogether
insufficient In consequence, of moderate means
could not afford TO take the post, unless he meant to
supply the deficiency of legitimate pay by The plumber
The effect OF the inadequate compensation was either to
exclude the poor from the cabinet else subject
him to a temptation from which faithful discharge OF
his duty demands that he should be exempt The in.
crease but relieves him Of the disability and makes him
independent OF all llegiuma,e influences 1t is nggard
parsmony, and not rational economy, that would
sure an expenditure thus urgent in its demand and
thus saluiary in its operation.
That the salary of cabinet officer insufficient be.
fore the increase, will not be disputed by any one
competent 10 pronounce opinion in the matter The
testimony OF Mr. Webster is emphatic. He refused 10
take place in the cabinet OF President Fillmore until
his friends had agreed to make up the deficiency by
contribution. And, more than that, President Fill
more himself. through the proper department, advised
an increase in the salaries OF the cabinet councillors
increase too far greater than that which made
In denouncng this measure then, wing journals de-
nounce their administration; for Congress but
cued the suggestion of Mr.. Fillmore. II recon-
mended by wing administration, and by wing admin
isra,ion made law. This circumstance may perhaps
dispose the Evening Journal to regard the measure with
still less favor; but other wing papers, freer from the
bias OF faction. and honest their support OF the
late administration, will scarcely sanction the censure OF
Mr.. Thuow Weed.
II is upon no such ground this, however, that we
choose the defence OF Congress, The it.
self just wise, and necessary, and that is enough
With that feeling OF false economy or rather of mean
and narrow niggardness, which does out breadl TO the
public servant with the reluctant hand OF mser, we
have sympathy and patience. II is impotic, il is
unworthy, il is despcable II the State TO engage
in its service the best intellect and the best ability OF
the land-and il should engage none other--h should
offer stronger nducement than prohtless labor
and a barren honor The dignity and renown OF this
great nation degraded and nsulted by chaferng
and haggling poicyby spirit OF pnching parsimony
and bard dealing which denies to labor its legitimate re-
ward, and wi,hhods from public station s proper sup
port As well bring the commissions of Office into
market, and knock them down to the lowest bidder
True economy has regard TO the interests and welfare OF
the whole State It does not busy itself only with dol
lars and cents To stop the waste Of national honor-to
weed out the rank luxuranoe OF Official corrupon-to
guard well the approaches to the public treasuy-o de-
ect and battle useless schemes OF expenditure and TO dis
covor and develop the hidden of the couuy
BY the offer OF generous reward, ensts in its service
the sterling integrity and the effective ability OF the land
The low demagogus mistakes the character OF the peo
pie OF this couay If he thinks to win their favor by any
base appeal TO the instincts OF and covetoas
heart The American people are just and generous Pub
bic profxacy and Official corruption they abhor. but not
more than they deesi grudging and gihdng pAtsidny
They are never content with less than full OF
Justice.