New-York tribune., 1873-06-27

some indications of revivIng pubic con-
science we are glad to observe; but tho re-
action has not become strong enough yet 10
do any mischief, and if Mr.. Carpenter thinks
we are too honest by half, we should rea'iy
like to see state OF society con''' u0'o'
according to his ideal. AS for the pacA pay
business, his argument Is very Simple In 'no
first place. $3.50 q year is not too much' IA
gentleman cannot live like gentleman III
Washington for q penny less. II the salary Is
less than the cost of living, seat IN Congress
will be the exclusive privilege OF the rich
and to exclude the poor would be unueino-
cratic and contrary to the spirit OF the Ooh'
stitntion. Besides, tho service which Sena-
tor or REPRESENTATIVE is called upon TO per
form is well worth $500 ayear, and " the peo-
"ple of the United States do not desire 10 DO
"under obligations which they cannot dischargo
"to their public servants" To all tms
wa bayo little to say. We shall not quar-
rel with Mr. Carpenters estimate OIL MS
own yalue-indeed it is not ON extraVagant
one-tbouph we must frankly confess that
,yo are not staggering under sense OF oD-
licotion TO the majority of his associates IN
Washington, and have no difficulty In restrain
inc tho impulsc, natural to every taxpayer
70 put his hand in his pocket and raise inc
salaries of all Members Of Congress when-
oyer he reflects for moment upon the eno'-
nous labors and phenomenal abilities OIL 'na'
distinguished class of public servants.
The great question. however Is not aDo"'
tho increase of ompensatiOn-that we pre-
sume the people could forgivc-but about
antedating the increase two years MI Gar,
penter shows that tho Constitution gives fuIl
mower to Congress to fix its own pay. anu
argues that it makes no difference whether
This is done at tho beginning OF the session
or at the close. If we look only at the legal
aspect of the case, no is certainly right lho
Constitution declares that " the Senators ana
" Representatives shall receive com
"ponsation for their services TO 10 as.
"ccrtained by law. and paid out Oh
"the Treasury of tho United States" Ihcre
ia no limitation as to amount, OF rs
to time. If they choose to vote themselves
$4,000 apiece, there is nothing in tho Constr
tuition to forbid. IL they choose to vote IN
increase on tho last day of the last session.
covering not only tho whole Congress Juse
finishing, but previous Congresses aiso' thero
is nothing in the Constitution to forbid. They
NAV pass iniuutOus laws which shall yet be
valid and binding. 1t is no defense of bad
action to show that it is constitutional. inc
Constitution of the United States does not
embrace the Dccalogue, and the Sermon on
the Mount, and the Whole Duty OF Man
What the people ask is not whether the D'cK
nav bill was legal, but whether it was equita-
bic. whether it was honorable, whether
it was decent The ovcrpowcring sentiment
of the country has declared that it was
neither; and when Mr. Carpenter attempts
to b, Jog the issue by an elaborate constltu-
tional argument, and gravely assures his
heaters that the erich men" in Congress
"haye violated the express command OF the
Constitution they have sworn to support by
"refusing to receive what the Constitution
expressly declares they shall receive" he
does what is quite unworthy of bis character
for courage and Openness.