The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-13

out OF the funds ofhis principal without the consent
of the principal the day, or rather at the very
moment, he was retiring from his position No
amount OF excuses or arguments could palliate or
Justify such conduct and 1t was this exactly that
the Forty-second Congress did during the last
hours of its existence The people have judged the
act to be disgraceful and, with the other corrupt
transactions brought home to that body, it has be-
come hateful to them. t---
COST OF LIVING IN WASHINGTON.
The pretext that members cannot support them
selves becomingly ut Washington on $4,000 year
may hold good n wastcful extravaganza and hcen-
tiousness are necessary on the part Of our law |
makers. When the salary OF members was fixed |
at the latter sum tho war was just over and the |
cost OF living at the capital was greater than at
present. The value Of the currency was much less,
and 1t must be remembered that when compensa- |
ton was arranged the last time before at $4,000
per annum lin 1861 II was on a gold basis, and
really the augmentation in 1855 was no increase at
ALL taking into consideration the difference In
value between gold and greenbacks. 1t has been
found, by an examination Of the Congressional
Directory, that little more than one-haH OF
the members of the Senate and much less
than one-half the members Of the House
carried their wives to Washington at the
last session OF Congress, although 1t
was regarded az exceptionally attractive from its
being shoot session, which would include an In
auguration. 1t has been found also that OF the
aggregate OF both branches OF Congress less than
sixth part kept house, This practical PROOF utterly
DESTROYS tho pretence that the pric, OF living at
the capital justified the increase OF pay. The ex'
| cuse was an invention to cover up the wrong. The
| action OF Congress in passing this last compensa-
ton bill is now before the people, and therefore 1t
will be of advantage to give short history OF what
has been done from the very commencement In
reference to the pay and emouments Of members
OF tho National Legislature. General Buffers at
tempt throw dust IN the eyes OF the people calls
| for exposure and rebuttal.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION IN 1887.
| The subject OF the compensation OF members OF
Congress has from the foundation OF the govern
ment been treated as one OF the hghestimp0rtance.
The name OF Madison is specially identified with 1t.
Prior to the ratification Of the constitution IN 1880
Representatives received their wages from the
States, and whether this system should be contin-
ued or the expense betrayed out OF the Federal
Treasury was debated very fully in the Con-
vention held two years before. Fears were
entertained that II the pay OF members was
fixed by themselves, without limit or re-
stralnt, they would indulge themselves to
the fullest extent and make their pay as high as
they pleased. This was the view entertained by
Patrick Henry, but he considered that If they were
good men--nOt such as he could have imagined
would appear in our day and find apollo
decacy would lead them to be satisfied with mod
crate salaries" Madison remarked that TO leave
| them to regulate their own wages would be an In
discreet thing and In time might prove danger
Gus one. 1t was even suggested that the rates OF
pay should be fixed in the constitution itself, and
on the l4th OF August 1857. Franklin moved the
following amendment :-"That &c. the present
value thereof per diem be allowed members OF
Congress during their attendance, and SIS for every
thirty miles OF travel In going 10 and returning
from the seat OF government" This was mega.
tived, the vote being in favor-Connecticut and
virginia. Observation-Disclosures New Jersey,
Pennsylvania, Delaware Marylan North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgta-s. Another proposition
of Franklin's was that Senators should be entitled
to no compensation whatever.
MODERATE AND NOT LIBERAL SALARIES.
The object of the Constitutional Convention in
this regard to establish moderate and not lib
eral stipends. The word 'libera" was struck out
every time 1t was used In the resolutions offered.
As to the wisdom of allowing State Legislatures to
pay members, Mr.. Madison on another occasion re-
. marked, "Our national government must operate
i for the good OF the whole, and the people must
have general interest in It's support; but if you
make the National Legislature subject to and at the
mercy OF the State governments, you ruin the
fabric, and whatever new States may be added TO
the general government, the experience will be
equally true" Alexander Hamilton did not think
| the states should pay members. Tic Sdlu:-'lt "
general remark, that he who pays Is the MASTER"
II was feared by some delegates that the States
might become uulederal and then shake the general
government and 1t was limited that some OF the
states might not ratify the constitution If the pay
section was accepted. Mr.. Ellsworth was Of
opinion that as members were apportoned accord
ing TO population, no State would feel the burden
NATIONAL vs.. STATE INFLUENCES.
Edmund Randolph was against the proposition
He asked "Are the members to be paid Certainly
to end m nsns the
Legislatures pay the members OF the National Coun.
win the aDa ssS sm M to
Randolph, "the pay VIII not operate impartially;
e be Raa s ses ens s
annex wages dsproportionate to their services
s saar b deySns ne
Alexander Hamilton remarked :-"What, for ex:
ample VIII be the ss for sa o.
ness to attend annually and long IT cannot be
no for powe ss 1s Gs
THE HANDS OF DEMAGoGUEs
and middling politicians who for the sake Of
themselves as candidates. and the real men OF
weight and INFLUENCE, BY remaining at home, add
as fonows:--"With respect to the right Of ascer.
compensation, il practicable, should Be fixed in
the constitution itself SO as not to be dependent
on Congress Itself or on the State legislatures 1t
was thought imprudent to leave 1t to the legisla-
lures because one government should not be de-
q pendent upon another, and the great inconvenience
s experienced under the old confederation shows
Il that the State would be operated upon by local
~ considerations Contra-dtStingulShed from
l. general ana national interests. The theoretical
l. Inconvenience of leaving to Congress the
FIXING OF THEIR OWN COMPENSATION
V is more than counterbaanced by this In the con-
federation. This is power that cannot be abused
a without rousng universal attention and indig
!. nation What would be the consequence OF a egIs-
" lature raising their pay to Ga or IS dayY The
universal Indignation OF the people," SO spoke
Mr.. Madison nearly ninety years ago. At the last
session OF Congress members raised their
v compensation to more than double what Mr..
3, Madison thought recklessness cupidity could
r. carry any body OF men he could imagine to exist
Y In the future. In the conventions called IN the
ID rally the federal constitution there