The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1873-06-07
THE CONGRESSIONAL sALARR GRAB.

concluding
If the FREE TRADER is as honest and as free
from demagogism in tins matter AS 1t would
make believe il strikes us that it would not
be content simply to howl thief, saary-grab,
etc, as the custom is, but would present some
reliable facts, tending to prove that congress
men have ov erpaid themselves, and done II
contrary to usage law and precedent. If 1t
does not do this, it cannot blame any one tor
calling it demogogcal, hypocritical, or any
other term of like import.
The FREE TRADER rcpels the charge of be-
ing dcmagogical or hypocritical in this mat
ter. but denounces the congressional salary
steal because it believes il to be, from every
honest point of view, an outrage There is
no question as to the power of congress to
fix the pay of its own members; but that their
Judgment as to how much they ought to vote
themselves is infallibe and ought not to be
impeached, is neither according to common
sense or precedent.
This is not the first time in the history Of
this country that congressman have been held
to a severe accountability in this matter of
regulating their own pay. The Ners copies
from the Springfield J0urndl what purports
to be a history of the congressional pay qucs-
ton, but the cream of that history is sup
pressed.
The first congress which met under the
11S9-fiXed the pay of mem
bers at So per day. The country had then
just emerged from the revolutionary struggle,
and was so poor that So per day in gold
looked to most people like large sum. BY
the same act it was also provided that after
six 179j--Uhe members imagining
that in the meantime the improved financial
condition of the country would justify IL the
pay should be 81 per day. When, however,
1895 arrived, and the country had just passed
through the Whisky Instruction" and was
threatened with trouble with France, the TEN.
per of the people was found to be such that
congress prudently repealed the 81 clause,
and the pay went on as before at So per
day.
There was no attempt again to NEEDLE with
the question until 1916. The country then,
as a few years ago, had come out of Il hard
war. The national finances were again in
disorder; congressman were paid in paper |
money, which was at a discount. Vast for.
unes had been made by army contractors;
quarter masters and commissares had come
Iut of the war rich living at Washington
was eytravagant; peculation and corruption
we're rampant, and congress caught the infec-
ion. Instead of the modest 80 day, the
nembers voted themselves 81 800 year; or,
$ the sessions Of congress did not then aver,
ge over four months in a year, about sl4 per
ay
Trivial as this may seem now, the country
vas convulsed by the outrage The banks
we're in suspension, trade Frustrated, produce
vas down-"hard times" everywhere, and in
louble pay, The cry of 'Repeal" resoundcd
rom every hustng, Henry Clay and Richard
i. Johnson, of Kentucky, found such a storm
aging when they returned from Washington
hat they ate humble pie with an appetite,
nd before they could be re elected had to
ledge themselves soemnly that the law
hould be repealed, "If your trusty old rifle,
iter standing by you faithfully for many
ears" said Henry Clay on the stump,
should happen once to miss fire, would you
asst 1t aside, or what would you do?" peck
our flint and try it again" shouted an old
inter in the crowd, and it was the slogan
lat saved Clay and johnson in that cam.
align.
They made good their promise, the $1,000
Nv was repealed, and the pay of congress
zen was fixed at IS per day
In 1856 the pay was changed from So per
ay TO $4,000 year, with little objection on
lc part of the people.
In 1866, the close of another war, and with
ovcrnment paper again at a heavy discount,
le pay was raised to $4,000 year, and to
lis the people made no serious objection
But since 1866 the credit of the government
as vastly improved, its paper is within IA
rifle as good as gold the eXtravagant prices
Il Il deprecated currency have settled back
o something like gold rates contraction has
'een going on, money growing scarcer times
harder and produce down again to gold
'rices, while the tariff and railroad monopo.
lists are taxing the people at rate never be.
ore pcsceably borne by civilized commun.
ty. 1t was at time like this, when the
SESSIONS OF congress do not average over six
months 10 Il year, and when not one in ten of
he men in congress can earn at his trade or {
half of the $1,000 he was paid for ,
ix months service in congress, that the
members again, as in 1916, outraged the peo.
lie and insulted their poverty by voting
pay at the rate of $4,000 for some
welve months service, and made the back
.rab of $4,000 piece for services they had
lrcady been paid for If this is not an out.
age, pray what can congressman do that is
IN outrage? If the services of your average
Frank Corwin, Steve
Ilurlbut and John 4. Logan-arc worth $50
4 day hi IA ,nupI nurht ,-nN a, pa,. ,r,,1l