Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-08-09

! 10 DEAR lllAo III llllliu anu 70 iClublADNA
that labOring in their interests we
have claims to their support and
preference. Our next WEEKLY
APPEAL will appear on Wednesday
morning.
WI are willing that all faithful pub
lie officers should be fairly rewarded
for their services. And we think that
salaries of such officers should be just
sufficient to compensate and secure
the services of good and well quail
fed men-not a cent more. We be-
lieve this has for the most part been
the theory of legislation for the coun-
try at large, and that it has met the
sanction of the most judiciOus thinkers
among us at all times. The salaries
of officers of the United States,
(hardly so large in many cases as they
should be- have never been so great
as to invite the greed of the money
sharks, and bring them in large num-
bers into the field against merit in
professional and qualified men. When
perquisites and fees have been
allowed they have been re-
stricted by the United States
government to some ACKNOWLEDGMENT
mum. In the P~OstOffice, for instance,
those fees and perquisites are not al
lowed to exceed a certain limit, pro-
pOrtioned to the responsibility as
sumed, and the amount of business
done at the various Offices-at New
York, Philadelphia, Boston, Balti-
more, Chicago, etc, the amounts re-
ceived by POstmasters having a de-
fined limit proportional to the bust
ness of the several places, and the eX-
cess going into the public treasury.
The President of the United States
himself has only a salary Of $2j, 1000
and this mainly to maintain reputably
the dignity of his office, which,
in some instances, has occa-
stoned the necessity of incumbents
retiring poorer than they were when
they went in. The public servant,
elected by the people, is not expected
to becOme-a privileged lordling, and
grow rich as a stipendiary on the peo-
pies bounty. The American theory
has been extremely econOmical-per-
haps too much sO-bUt such has been
that theory. Now old theories and
practices have been broken down.
The doctrine "to the victOrs belong
thespOils has been unrelentingly put
in practice. And, instead Of restrict
ing officers of the law to a reasonable
and moderate subsistence, perquisites,
fees and salaries have been
largely increased, and official
position, which was formerly
only the post of honor, sought by
men in some measure unselfshly de-
string to benefit the public in the
execution of their respective trusts,
has been made the stepping stone to
wealth, and is inviting the greed Of
every daring and unprincipled adj
vcnturer. Is this a condition of things
to be particularly desired and coveted?
When we are in a depressed condi-
ton, when production is low, and
thousands in distress are struggling
for a bare subsistence, is that a time
for high salaries and for giving the
opportunity for official fortune
making?
When an impoverished people are
paying three, four or five per cent
taxes, and in many instances are I'M
able to live, and, at the same time
save enough from their income to pay
taxes, is that a time to give high
salaries and allow enormous official
pickings? When we are losing school
funds and county funds, and have
large stealings and large defalcations
by officials themselves, is that a time
TO legalise or continue their immense
and growing exactiOns, which, when
they have realised them, and grown
rich by the oppression of Taxpayers,
only stimulates their carniverOus in
stincts the more, and whet's more
and more their appetite for plumber?
In the State of Tennessee we affirm
that this state of things is especially
demoralizing, and daily growing
worse and worse. The worst phase
has been put upon it by Radical mis-
rule. Not only have the existing
means of official plumber been given
and countenanced, but abuses have
been encouraged until they have
come to be so a matter Of course, such
every day and common thing, that
many have ceased to demonstrate
or even observe them. And, as if this
was not enough, more offices have
been created in this State, that more
instruments of party might be fed at
the public crib, and more Off
cial oppression, and expenditure
of the much wasted moneys be
wrung from the impoverished tax
payers. We are informed that Nome
three OF four clerks of the courts Of
Memphis and Shelby county, if not
other officers, are each making more
money annually than would be suf-
ficient to pay Gen. GRANT his salary
as President Of forty millions of peo-
pie ! In other counties throughout the
State, the same thing is doubtless to a
.greateror less extent equally true. Is
this reasonable, fair or right ? Ought
to receive, or any community