New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-01-19
MUCH MONEY FOR LITTLE WORK.
Speech of Senator Gillette, of Connecticut,
AGAINST
INCREASING THE PAY OF CONGRESSNEN AND JUDGES

Tn the Senate On Thursday Jan. ~, Nc
Badgers bill to increase the compensation of the
Judges of the Supreme Court of the U0ited States,
and Members of both Houses Of Congress, beiog
under consideration, Mr.. GILLETTE, of Connect.
cut, delivered the following lucid aud forcible
speech aeaI IT that nqutous measure:
Mr.. President This regard as vital question
at least the vitals as the pocket-and having
but short time to serve in the Senate, the fe~
marks which feel il my duty - offer # they should
have other merit will have that trust OF disia.
teIesteoness and an eye single othe public Interests
While fully appreciate the expanded and liberal
views Of the distinguished Senator who introduced
this bill and aecredit hun lars Of patriotism
in the direction Of public erpeDditure-hs cardinal
principle appearing to be the greater the disb1r.e-
ments the more public prosperIty-l must descent
from the proposition nos before To increase tue
pay Of Cor greesmen, would, in my opinion, increase
the dist, mpers Of the Republic. and the dangers
which threat. its existence Ii the present compen-
sscn really inadequate 10 the value Of the ser
vices rendered: Il the D.tiOn actually recevog
than equivalent for wha.it pays lis Coogre
ioDsl seivaus-thtn, Sir the PROPOSE ion would con-
mend isef TO cordial and earnest supports for sm
no dir believer in the Divine declaration III the labor
ser verify OF his that is 10 cay, ifbe earns
il, and DO not spprove any more than the honorable
Sci ator from North Carolina, Of one man or set OF
men, living the uDrequited, coerced labor OF
srott or maD or set of men. Sucb are nat my i1ess
Of justice of honor. Against such wrong doing,
such extoroD, such cpnsumuae injustice, the Impair
tial Father of men has published his adherence IN
thrt atsn,d woes, from which am as anxions TO e.
cape as that Senator be- The only true and safe
rule is, DO justly, and "render to all their dues"
This is tie proper principle on which to determine
this question as think, and not tue Senator in
sisted H. other day the cos of living here In Wash.
ingtcn which is or less according to individual
habits tastes and preferences; the mode of living,
the quantity and quality of wine and stronger quors
which may be thong t necessary by some 10 stimulate
their patriotism and other vulgar aud perDlcous lo-
dulgences Of deprsved and grovelng appe'ites. The
truth is, man may spend more or less here as else
where lust BE- chooses thatwe have safe cri-
teron in this direction. When we consider the INST
ter Of for services rendered the amount
actually earned is the main subject for consideration
and this should determine this question; for main
tain that CoDgrtssmeD like err constituents. should
"eat their bread in the sweat of their bro~ 10 ODE
dience 80 the "higher law or do without eating,
if they will not resign and give plsce q better men
The question then resolves itself into this Are Con.
eressmen PAID, already, as much "a they earn
must say, think they are; the people hardly receive,
in return, their moneys worth. Mr.. President |
take no pleasure IN saying It, but have sometimes
thought that the people afflicted with large num-
Der of Improbable servantspresentc company ex ept-
cd ofcourse Sr-who, should they escape that outer
darkness which awaits incorrigble trausgressors
will owe their ceiverance, not To any salvation OBJ
taipabe from such a,ts the atrocous Fugitive act
Of the Thirty. First Congress, the pesfdious Ne
brasks Kansas act of the Thirty Third. The people,
in some quarters, have concluded that such services
are quite too deer at eight dollars day, and do not
care 10 have any such, a. that price judg-
ing from the bolt Of doom which has fallen upon so
many Of their uniaithful servants, and which over
hares 20 many more. II Congressman w0ald hsve
better pay, let them fairly and honestly by
doing better ~oIk. Especially unpropitious Is the
present time for preferrDg such clamso soon after
the audscious and execrsbe attempt " 10 crush out
the spirit Of liberty from the hearts of the people,
and the sublime and beautiful illustration Of popu-
lar Sovereignty in the recent election in Kansas,
where as we are informed by the Governor Of that
Territory and Others popular sovereignty had to run
away from hs bdllot-boXes, in order TO save hs
democratic Highness from the bludgeons Bowie
knives and pistols of irruptive ssveholding SOW
ereignty. What foundation eau Congressman have
of an equitable claim for eight dollars a day even,
during the first month of each session spent Is II
uniformly s not 30 much IN the service OF the coun-
try as in holiday festivities and anusemeD's LATHE,
indeed earned during onethird Of this session, aud
twelve dollars day this bill proposes TO pay for that.
will not be party TO any such agreement
Moreover, Mr. President, | do not understand from
any quarter that the people nos find the least diff
Guilty IN obtaining Congressional ants 81 the pres
eni price Of their service. The trouble rather is in
making selection among the multitude Of ssprsnts.
Even The honorable Sen stor himself who introduced
this bill. Gid not intimate any such embarrassment In
North Carolina uor appear 10 apprehend the least
danger TO thavtnsrable State from the lack Of good
and true Ike himself, 20 defend her rights aad
msir tain Der honor the floors of Congress; and,
sure am, in that part Of the country in which sm
aequs ted, there is Of men, nothing 10th"
10 be persuaded TO serve their dear country this
Capitol for the present compensation. There be
no ooubt this point-every Senator knows there
are public spirited .elfssving patriots enough in al
States and Territories who, II unable exactly to agree
with the old Latin poet in the senilnsnt, Daice Il de-
cor.rs pro patriG nerf Is pleasant and honorable 10
die for one counuy-Ne very willing 10 adopt ths
sentiment with the slight change of single word 20
thai il viii rssd Dstee q ase'ra" pro Pafr'@ rrre-
II i ts sssrt and honorable Ice for cDes country
H.nfe Sir tle nropositOn before the Senate seers