Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-02-08
MUCH MONEY FOR LITTLE
.... WORK.
speech of Senator Gillette, OF Conn.
AGAINST
INCREASING THEPAY OFCONGRESS.
MEN AND JUDGES.

.. MEN AND JUDGES.
Ia the Senate, on Thursday, Jan. II, Mr.
Badgers bill to increase the compensation
Of the Judges OF the Supreme Court OF III,
United States, md Members Of both House,
oil Congress, being under consideration, Mr.
GILLETTE. of Connecticut, delivered the FOL
lowing lucid and forcble speech against thai
iniqutsus measures:
Mr.. PREslDsNr: This regard as vita
question--at least as near the vitals az the
pocket-and having but short time to serve
in the Senate, the few remarks which fee
j, my duty to offer, ,irthey should have no 9TH
er merit, will have that, trust, of disinter.
estedness, and an eye single 10 the public
interests. While fully appreciate the ex-
panded and liberal views OF the distinguished
Senator who introduced this bill, and ac-
credithim lurge measure of patriotism in
the direction Of public expenditure car
dina principle appearing to be, the greater
the disbursements the more public prosperity
Il must dissent from the proposition now
before US. To increase the pay of Congress
men, would, in my opinion increase the dis
temPers Of the Republic, and the dangers
which threaten its existence. II the pres
ent compensation were really inadequate to
the value of the services renderedif the na-
ton were actually receiving more than an
equivalent for what it pays its Con yression-
l.servants--then, Sir, the proposition would
commend itself to my cordial and earnest
support; for am no disbeliever in the Di.
vine declaration that the "laborer is worthy
ot his reward"-that is to say, if he earns
it. and do not approve, any more than the
honorable Senator from North Carolina, of
one man or set Of men, living on the unre-
Quilted, corrced labor Of another man, or set
of men. Such are not my ideas of Justice or
OF honor. Against such wrong doing, such
eXtortion. such consummate injustice, the
impartial Father o. men has published his ab.
horrcnce in threatened woes, from which
am as anxious to escape as that Senator can
be, The only true and safe rule is, do just
ly, and "rencer to all their dues" This is
the proper principle on which to determine
this question, as Lthlnk, and not as the Sem
ator insisted the other day, the cost of iv-
ing here in Washington, which is more or
aud preferences, the mode of living the guam
tty aEd quality of wine and stronger IL
quors which may be thought by some TO sli-
muate their patriotism, and other vulgar and
pernicious indulgences oe depravod and grow
cling appetites. The truth is, man may
spend more or less here. as elsewhere, Just as
he chooses, so that we have no safe criterion
N fhis 5irapti,n Whop lar
matter of compensation for serv ces render.
ed, the amount actually earned is the main
subject for consideration, and this should de-
termine this question; for | maintain that
congressman, like their constituents, should
"eat their bread in the sweat Of their brow"
in obedience to the "higher law," or do with
out eating, if they will not resign and give
solves Itself into this: Are Congressman
p aid, already, as muc as they earn! Unjust
say, think they arc; the people hardly re-
ceive, in return, their moneys worth. Mr..
President, take no pleasure in saying it,,
but have sometimes thought that the peo-
pie are afflicted with large number of un-
profitable servants--present company eX-
CtplCi. VI COulsCJ nv SIVulu CS
cape that "outer darkness" which awaits in
transgressors, will owe their de-
liverance, not to any salvation obtanable
from such acts as the atrocieus Fugitive act
ofthe Thirly-First Congress, or tn, perfdi-
Gus Nebraska Kansas act Of The Thir'y-Third
The people, in some quarters, have concluded
that such services are quite too dear at eight
l,,, 10
more such, even at that price, judging from
the bolt of doom which has fallen upon SO
many Of their unfaithful servants, and which
overhangs SO many more. II Cong'essmcn
would have better pay, let them earn it fairly
and honestly, by doing better work Espe-
cially unpropitous il the present time for
preierring such clam--so soon after the
audacious and execrable attempt "to crush
out the spirit Of liberty from the hearts of
the people, and the sublime and beautiful IL
lustraton of"popular sovereignty" in the re-
cent election in Kansas, where, as we are in
formed by the Governor of that Territory, and
others, popular sovereignty had TO run away
from his own ballot. boxes, in order to save
his democratic Hghness from the b!udgeons,
uo"io-kHNes ouu Pislois VI al lIIuptlSe eIaEe-
holding sovereignty. What foundation can
Congressman have of an equitable claim for
eight dollars day even during the first month
o: each session. spent, as il uniformly is,not
SO mucA in the service Of the country as in
holiday festivities and amusements! Little.
indeed, earned during one-third of this ses-
sion, and twelve dollars day this bill pro-
poses to pay for that. | will not be party
10 any such agreement.
Moreover, Mr.. President, do no: under
stand, from any quarter, that the people now
find the least difficulty in obtaining Con-
gressional servants at the present price Of
their service. The trouble rather is in ma
king a selection among the multitude OF as
pirants. Even the honorable Senator him
self, who introduced this Sil, did not intimate
any such embarrassment in Nsrth Carolina,
nor appear to apprehend the least danger to
that venerable State from the lack ol goot
and true men, like himself. TO defend the
rights and maintain her honors on the foeri
of Conyress; aud, sure am. in that part 0
the country in which am acquainted, ther,
is no want Of men. "nething 10TH" to be per
suadsd to serve their dear country in thi
Capitol for the present compensation, Their