The Portland daily press., 1873-12-20
The Butler Salary Bill.

The comments of the Republican press on
the salary bill and the scenes in the House of
Representatives pending its passage, are not
very complimentary.
The New York Times in its criticism saws:
The difference to each member between the
pay allowed in the bill of Wednesday is about
$1,000 for money drawn since March, and $685.
for the remainder of their term-in all So, 125
Perhaps this is enough to pay the members who
fought ohssinateiy for it fer the iudgment
their unfeeling constituents WIN surely pass ",
them, We hope it is enough to support them
In private life, where most of them, we are
confident, will be asked to spendlthe remainder
OF their days, after their present term is out.
Less than majority of the House voted in
these proceedings, and the question is bv no
means settled Mr. Hale. of Maine, and Mr.
Dawes, of Massachusetts. who have acted very
creditably throughout, will rentroduce it.
The New York Evening Post says:
But the question of repeating the back-pay
act is not yet settled. This compromise viii
Lot satisfy the country, and the Senate will not
be likely to adopt it. That body has DOW a
chance to take the lead in this important move
ment. The question is not one of increasing or
reducing the salaries, but of repairing a great
wrong 30 far as it can be done consttutionally;
and With this in view, the act of the last SEES
son should be repealed first, and the question
OF adjusting the salaries settled afterwards.
TO the honor of Mr.. Hale, of Maine, Mr..
Dawes, Mr. Kasson and Mr. Clymer it should
be said that this is the theory they upheld in
the debate. 1t is the theory of the country,
and we trust that it will finally prevail
The Boston Advertiser, usually SO calm in its
declarations, gives utterance to the following:
1t is true that material reduction is made
IRON the rate then established. but this is a
mater OF little account. The people asked for
vino'cation of the honorable name of the Amer
lean congress. 1t is not satisfactory to be told
they have compromised" the matter by de-
termining to reduce the amount so disboooral
bly, obtained. 1t is as if Spain had proposed as
a compromise that we Should saw no more
about the prOpriety of the c.pture of the Vir.
ginius while she surrendered whatever old
Junk might be found In the ship's bilpe What
the nation regards, and will hencefortb reoard
more seriously than ever BEFORE is not the loss
of few hundred thousand dollars, more or
less, but the loss of dignity; not the .extraya
gance, but the debasement ct public morals.
No tax could be oppressive or discouraging
as these repeated evidences of decentralization
In high places. They poison the fountains of
virtue all over the land. And in this direction
General But1er, twice repudiated by Massa.
cnusetts, Is nj leader Gentlemen Represent
a.ives. MpoDiicsns or Democrats, who follow
sacu Fadnmg' You may we'll believe the people
~ not pnnd. The Representative who one
IN! srHes new taxes or new debt before an at
Ssmp., ~ made TO reduce expenses the next day
p.sen,s ana advocates bill prepared by the
t Hounse. OF bankrupt house to overturn the ma
Eonai bankrupt law, and the next dav rises 70
snoW representatives how they NAV common.
''s WIN au'y az handsome profit, is not the