The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-03-08
Official Salarias

OhaCAoA IlCS.
Before the late increase of the salaries of
congressman becomes forgotten and for
given ofiense the most popular argument in
us favor deserves some further attention.
Ten. Banks, Gen. Butler and other advocates
OF the scheme were continually declaring
that American Congressman ought to receive
a compensation that will enable them to live
In style suitable to their station. The
offlcers OF this government, they argue, should
nave the means of raising themselves to a
position where they can command the respect
oil the representatives of foreign powers.
What is the style of living, then, which is
suitable to the station of an American Con-
gresham? Not any other style, clearly,
than that which men in private life of aver
age ability and wealth are able to maintain.
1t would be difficult for the advocates of high
salaries to point to any reasonable theory OF
our government on which the opposite con-
clusion is founded. An office-holder in a
democracy is not theoretically a more ex-
allied or more privileged person than his
fellow citizens. He differs from them only in
the nature of his employment, which is not
necessarily more honorable than theirs. If
the notion that official station brings with it
rewards of an extraordinary character. far
above those to which persons in private life
are likely to attain, is allowed to gain cur
rency, it is difficult to see where it will stop,
until we have an ofice-holding aristocracy as
obnoxious and as dangerous to democracy as
an order of nobility. Simplicity and economy
are the glory and safeguard of republic.
The influence of privileged class, maintain
ing luxurious establishments to which the
commonality may not aspire, would of all
things be the most destructive to the demo-
cratic spirit. The Congressional theory of
Particular ''style of living which is necessa-
~ in official life, is gradually accustoming us
to patient submission to the establishment of
such class. The youngest of us can 1emem-
Der when IS day was looked upon with a
kind of awe as one of the grand prizes won
By the successful candidate in contest for
Congressional honors. Then $4,000 a year
was established as the sum which would ena-
Bile our representatives to maintain sfsuita-
be" style and escape the scorn of foreign
powers. Then amidst the universal protest
of the people an advance was made to $4,000
year. and this generous annuity it was fond
ly hoped would at last place the Congress
man in a position where his ''style'' would
forever he eninently respectable and where
he might challenge with infinite complacen-
cy the criticism of an exactinga and censorious
Europe. But now, when the land is full of
poverty and want, and when peasant class
is rapidly taking shape from the want of the
education and moral and industrial training
which a just distribution of the public funds
would ensure, it is discovered that restitution
still prevails in official circles, and that Eu-7
rope still points the finger of scorn. And il
is peculiarly significant circumstance that
several members refused to countenance the
latest increase, because, in their opinion. it
was inadequate. We may conclude, there
fore. that the ideal standard of official mag
nihaence has not yet been reached, and that
lore'sm vr1aari s1til making mouths at our
Nv will tbe thing end? At this rsr.
morning short of mansion for each member,
as gorgeous as Versailles Or the golden pal
ace of Nero, will be regarded as suitable.
The luxury of Lucullus and the epicureanism
of Hsliegabaius win alone appease the for
eign spectator, and the reputable Congress-
man will be obliged to regale himself daily on
soups made entirely of peacock's brains in Or
der to maintain his standing.
But seriously-do not the intelligent rep
resentativas of foreign governments regard
the condition of the people, the general ev-
alence of comfort, intelligence and security,
as the most satisfactory evidences of the sue
cesssof the Republic? They do not measure
the dignity and prosperity of this country by
the state and grandeur fits governing class
es. They look for the general diffusion of
wealth and intelligence, for wcfi-paid labor,
fur approximate social equality,-in short for |
democracy. A well fed, well clothed, pros
porous mechanic is better calculated to give a |
favorable impression of our national condi- |
ton than hundred patrician Senators.
And as to the assertion that high salaries |
are favorable to integrity and fidelity on the
part of those who receive them, it is unsus-
taint by facts. Credit Mobilier frauds and
tae buying of seats were unknown when
Thomas Jefferson with noble ostentation
rode to the Capitol unattended, on horse
back, hitched his steed to the fence with his
own hands, and proceeded to the Senate
Chamber to deliver his first inaugural. He,
who had been Governor of Virginia, the au-
thor of the Declaration of independence, |
Minister to France, Secretary of State and |
Vice President. evidently thought that he |
could best observe the proprieties of official
life and command the respect of foreign pow
ers by the most absolute simplcity-the most
rigorous economy. Corruption and fraud,
subsidies, bribery and official indecency have
come in with high salaries, whether caused |
by them or not. This fact at any rate for
bids us to anticipate increased honesty and
purity from the latest addition to Congress |
ional salaries. Particularly are we precluded
from believing that increased pay can have a
retroactive effect, and cure all the shames
aud crimes of the last two years by the pay
m snt of $4,000 gratuity to the INDECENT Pom
eroy and the destitute Cakes Ames
TIE npOnla of Maine will ha c,,rr,;co1 L.. i