Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-03-11
Stauntot Spettator.
Tuesday, March II, 1873.
Our Honest Congress.


Our Honest Congress.
The Forty-second Congress has gone out like
s. bad candle, leaving smoke and noisome odor
behind it. The revelations which have been
made, during the session just expired, OF the cor
ruptious of the times, are saddening and sicken-
ing to the heart of every honest lover of his coun-
try. The Credit Mobilier Villainy, through which
tens Of millions of dollars were plundered from
the Treasury 10 the construction of the Union
Pacific Railroad, and the participation by Con-
gressmen in the spoils, are disclosures which
should arouse the people to perception OF the
rottenness and ruin to which their government
is fastening in the hands Of dishonest servants.
The bribery, and general rascaity by which
seats ia the United States Senate ere sought
and won, are too, among the startling proofs
of our growing political degeneracy. The usur-
pations under which, in Louisiana, the liberties
and prosperity of State have been over
whelmed-usurpations which are now upheld
by the strong arm Of Federal power-are also
among the fragrant facts Of the times, which
are crying aloud for reformation. All these
matters were before the Forty-second Congress
for their consideration and action, but their
''lame and impotent ccncnsiors" only demon
strate, that if there be any cure for the ills
which sffliot the body polite, the people alone
can apply the remedy.
What good thing indeed could be looked
for from Congress, one of whose last acts was
raid upon the Treasury in their own behalf,
by voting themselves bonus of FIVE thousand
dollars apiece. They we're elected more thar
two years ago, and agreed 20 serve for COM
peasation Of five thousand dollars a year
which amounts to some thirty-three dollars o
day for every day Of actual service; but this
did not suffice them, and so, at the very end Of
their term Of Service they enlarge their salaries
for the time already passed by adding 81. 500 a
year thereto, thus making their pay fifty dollars
day for every day OF taeir service. Eight
dollars day used to suffice Clay, Webster,
Calhoun, Rives, Mcdowell, and men Of their
stamp, but The plgnies Of the present are not con-
tent with q less per dem than fly dollars. This
addition Of $1,000 apiece to their salaries fer the
past two years will cost the people just $685.
just that much mere from the pockets Of the
people than they had any just claims TO but
rs, upon the same principle, they might have
taken ten thousand or twenty thousand dollars
apiees. perhaps We should be thankful for their
forbearance
Nov, as az evidence how far our government
has departed from the honesty. simplicity and
frugality, which distinguished the early conduct
Of its affairs. let the people consider for a mo-
mept, that in the third year Of Washington S
administration, the whole expenses of The gov
ernment, IN Ell It's departments exclusive Of
pensions, public debt and interest-were
$l.743 775, and that we have lived 10 see the
day when retiring Congress will eoolly plunge
its hands into the Treasury, and abstract. for
their own usa, sum nearly as large as this,
which their constituents had never agreed to
ALLOW them, and ali done, We suppose. on
That good old rule and simple plan,
That they should take who have the power,
And they should keep who can"
We baye vague remembrance OF having
heard it said that, in Blr. CLay's days in the
House, the Congress undertook to make E small
increase in its pay, (prospec.i7aly, We believe,
and not retrospectiqely, nor did they make Ii
more than eight Or ten dollars day, and that
ghe people, in their republican simplicity. be
came Indignant at The act, and defeated, at the
next electon every man gho had voted fer the
Increase, save and except. VIC believe Dir. Clay
himself. He escaped by the akin OF his teeth,
By appealing TO the gratitude CT his constitu-
ents Oh the score of past services, and by ask
iag the back woodsmen among them IF they had
trUstg rife which missed FIRE once, whether
they threw it away, or if they did not rather
pick the flint, ard try il again.
The Congressman Of this day are not Clays
by lo0g way. They lave aeitheg his splendid
Talents nor nspicuous services to fall back up
on, nor vas the act, fer which be had 10 excuse
himself, comparable to theirs, Of which we
have complained. We. therefore, invite them
to bewars-nof only those who have coted for
this extraordinary appropriation but also those
uho shall pocket it-iest long suffering and
much abused people shall arouse themselves
from their lelbargy, aud drive from the legis-
latiye halls these who SO hagraDtIy abuse their
confidence.