The sun., 1873-12-27

The whole tone OF the discussion in the
House of Representatives on the salary
steal, the various propositions submitted,
and the test vote on the miserable scheme
which was finally adopted, all prove that
there was no since re intention to repeal
the corrupt legislation of the last Congress
or to conform to the demands Of public
opinion 10y any real reform.
Every speech delivered was either apollo
gctic, evasivc or fundamentally false.
And none excited the same attention and
admiration rs those which defended the
grab and justified excessive pay for little
service. STEPHENS and BUTLER, who
struck hands on this occasion, We're even
vehemently applauded on the floor.
In the vain endeavor to make up n lame
defence by comparing the new pay with
the old, the grabbcrs have been driven 10
the desperate eXpcdient of estimating the
franklng privilege as n part of their in-
come, in order to make IA deceptive exhibit
OF figures. There was II time when franks
were sold for money, and even recently
they were bartered away by hundreds OF
thousands. But they were so cheapened
by falsihcntion n 10 leave no profit TO tho
boua fdc fnnkcr.
Some idea may bc formed OF the extent
to which this abuse was carried when it Is
known that the GRtNT committee AT Wash
ington sent out fifteen millions of political
pamphlets during the last Presidential
campaign under frank. The names OF
senators and Representatives were used
10 cover these frauds who never appeared
az the capital in person. The franks were
written by a hundred or more clerks de-
tailed from the departments 90 commit
these nagrant forgeries aud to illustrate
the beauties OF the civil service.
A new but feeble device has been con-
trived in the Senate to deceive the public
ana create conf. sion, If possible. A reso-
luton calls for ali the former salary acts
aud the names of the Senators who re-
ceived back compensation in any form.
The object is 10 present an array of illus
trious men In the past who received a
limited increase of salary as a justification
for the bareiaced robbery of last March.
The history Of former legislation on this
subject is familiar 10 the country. There
is not asiugle instance on record where the
pay was increased that the law did not
the Congress. There was no concealment
or fraud upon the people because the
changed compensation could be thus con-
sidcred nj the ensuing Congressional elec-
tions Besides, in alm"-. ;-,,v instance
the change was moderate and consistent
with the progress Of national prosperity.
In 1865 the Republicans had even larger
majorities in both Houses of Congress than
they now have They raised the pay from
5000 TO 5000, and departed from the
sound practice of previous legislation by
attaching this increase TO an appropriation
bill. That bad precedent led TO the last
outrage. still the law was passed at the
try' session, and the people, though pressed
with the burdens of the war, submitted on
account Of the depreciation of tho cur
rency, the price OF gold, and the enhanced
cost of all commodities.
But the case was wholly different last
March. The rate OF gold had declined far
below that OF 1866, ana all values had
fallen proportonately Living was re-
duccd in corresponding degree; so
there was no preteXt even for 'n"'
crease. II the argument MS any III
good for anything then 81 IN $500 wa
| turn to the old AZ justified a re
| a ,ornror, i"y when the reasons fo
! -"cy Increase had passed away,
Ins;ead Of bringing forward bill fairl,
| and in good season to ip considered, IN
grabbers waited until tho very last hoar
Of the thlrd session, wh.cn, having alrcad
drawn their fun pa! tor the whole tern
they voted themselves ffty per cent. o
all they had air ..ady received, and date
1t back Tor TWO. years. In order TO consun
mate TINS pl mdcr, ana with fun know
edge OF 20 Indignation it would provoke
they h' ID back until the last sands in III
Rias' were running out, and then dispense
tn their ill-gottcn gains
There is no mch example of intamo'
., legislation to be found anywhere, Yet
a the face Of this open prostitution of Il
r forms of law to venal object, by whl'
g the law makers were to profit, there a
Ia men in the Senate and the House wi
h dare 10 defend the robbery, and seek