The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-02-26

days. With no subjects of legislation
higher than supplements to turnpike
laws and the protection of sheep, two
hundred dollars would be altogether
too high a compensation for member.
Those legislators who are so willing to
betray the rights and dignity of the
State, should blush with shame when
voting themselves a salary of fifteen
hundred dollars. 1t is adding to the
crime of treason to the people that of
plundering them.
With the amendment to the Fed
eral Constitution. taking from the
State of Pennsylvania the power to
regulate the suffrage of her own citi-
zens, the general government control
ling all the details of the election law;
with Congress interfering with the
railroad legislation of the State, and
all other important public matters,
what is there to warrant member in
asking fifteen hundred dollars for his
insignificant services? Men enough
can be had to pass sheep laws and reg
ulate turnpike tolls at a much lower
rate.
The time was when Pennsylvania
was a power in the land. She was free,
sovereign and independent, controlling
her own affairs, and deciding for her
self all questions of domestic concern.
No member of her legislature in that
day would have harbored the treason
able thought of giving up her rights
to the keeping of a central government,
to be organized at Washington. In
Congress no man would then have
been hardy enough to propose to
invade her domain with a railroad,
without as much as saying shy your
leave" Her rights were cherished at
home and respected abroad. In
that time the services of the best men
in the State were had, at a salary far
below that which is now demanded.
1t was held to be high honor to serve
the proud Commonwealth.
But change has come. Under rad
ical sway Pennsylvania has become
mere province-an insignificant pre-
lecture, like that of France bearing
the same relations to the general gov
ernment which the counties now hold
toward the State. Servile members
of the legislature are only too eager TO
record the DEGREES of the central pow
er and rush to Washington for their re-
ward. She has an executive styled
Governor, it is true, but not half the
power of Persian satrap. When Con-
gress proposed to construct railroad
beneath the very windows of the exec
utive chamber, he looked on in listless
apathy, not daring one murmur of
protest.
In this sad situation to which the
Commonwealth is reduced, the refusal
of the majority in the legislature to in
crease their pay, cannot be too highly
appreciated by their constituents
They had decidedly clearer view of
the value of the services of a MEM
Der Of the Pennsylvania legislature,
than had those who voted in the
affirmative. While there is no
doubt that the services OF patriotic
statesmen vigiIantly guarding the in
terests, and maintaining the honor and
dignity of the great Commonwealth,
would not be dear al far higher sal
cry than the advance demanded, it is
true that for the subjects of legislation
now to be left within the control Of the
of the State, the pay of a member can
not be reduced too low. In view of
the fact that the only objects of legis-
lation henceforth will be Of the most
trivial local character, it would be well
to move for reduction instead of an
increase. Sheep laws, turnpike bills,
game regulations, divorce cases and
gas corporations will not requirea high
er order of intellect or much honesty iH
the legislator.