, 1866-10-19
Ecoromv a Nat:onaI Dutt.


the administration of public affairs prevails
in many places, and is indicated in thousr
and different ways. The action Of the mem-
bers of Congress il increasing their pay, the
giving of dinner in New York city in hon.
or of President johnson at an expense of
one handred dollars per plate, the bestOwal
of large fortunes on leading generals by in
dividuals, and many other instances will
readily suggest themselves to the reader.
There is also a general complaint made by
oficcholders that the salaries which they
receive are too small, and mako it impossible
for them to live upon the neeessarles OF life.
Every law>makiDg body of the nation, States
counties and towns, is beseiged by this class,
who clamor for compensation until the ses-
sion is ended. We embody our views upon
the subject in the following proposition
Until the national debt of the United States
is extingushed, no person in the service OF
the government shall be entitled to larger
amount than the present law allows for the
performance of his tasks. And furthermore,
no appropriation shall be made for any OBJ
iect, which is not absolutely required by the
necessities of the nation. In relation to the
public servants, it is needless to remark
that, viewed as a whole, they are better pal )
for what they actually do than any other
toilers in civil pursuits. One hundred cloarks
in the employ o!merchants and professional
men, perform more real work than thous.
and citizens who derive their support from
the national revenue. The disproportion in
the salaries given to the respective parties
is equally striking. The government be-
slows three or four times the sum upon its
employees that would be paid By individuals.
There is no reason that could justify any
representative in advocating an increase Of
salary to such persons if the times were un-
troubled by debt or tlxation, because they
do not earn what t2ey put in their pockets
But when every branch Of indastry trade
and commerce, is affected by the levy of im>
posts, it is in our judgment highly improper
to entertain such measure. The first
thought of the legislature should be, the
passage Of acts that will reduce he expenses
of State aud enable the community to meet
taxation with ease Salaries should be dis
miuishcd in all the departments, No Ian
guassa too severe can be applied to the Cru>
gressmen that ,"..Hresa:e!Y rlunlered the
treasury By graspiug the funds and placing
them in their purses. The usual cry of
these miscreants is, awe cannot live.on what
we get; it costs large sum to board in
Washington; we make nothing by being in
our positions" ETC., etc. Any citizen who
adopts this miserable excuse and utters it to
his constituents, should be repuiiated at
once and forever. His place can be filled
by men who will not be guilty Of such gross
misconduct. John Q. Adams saved money
in every post which he adorned by vast
learning and great abilities, while majority
of small minded chaacters were whining
about their salaries, like the oficeholders of
to-day. But some uuscrupulous demagogue
may say, "These were radicals, and this ex-
travagance is Il legitimate result of their leg
islatiOn:" To such contemplate partisan
s,urs we submit this answer. We never
knew any individual whose politics or relig>
iOn would prevent him from receiving q few
dollars if he could do so in legal manner.
Republicans and democrats, baptist, metho,
dists, episcopalians, mormons, catholics, and,
10 word, all parties and sects, are willing
to take or vote what amounts they consider
expedient. We will conclude by making a
territorial application of these suggestions.
The next legislature that conveues should
examine with the utmost care every bill
that provides for the payment of fees OF
salaries.