The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-12-19
DELIBERATIONS OF POLITICAL
SAVANS.

SAVAhS.
If any woman doubts the capabilty
of the privileged sex to manage Ma
tional affairs without the assistance OF
their mothers, let her read the recent
debates in the House of Representatives
upon the repeal of the salary steal. She
will then learn that Sunset Cox, who
took the back-salary grab, and after
wards returned it, is now determined
that other men shall follow the example
necessarily set by Esop's famous fox.
Sunset says he is ''fresh from the people;
as fresh as the dew-drop on the rose"
Everybody laughs at this, and Sunset
continues by "objecting to being called
a demagogue."
Mr.. Lawrence favored the repeal Of the
bill. The Republican party was in no
way responsible for it, but had power to
repeal it.
Feminine obfuseation here becomes
so complete that it is no longer possible
to see why, since the party had power
to prevent the passage OF the bill, it is
not responsible for the fact of its exist
ence, but then, it is all owing to the i'm
becility of woman and her lack of the
nice appreciation necessary to a knowl-
edge of distinction wlthouta a difference.
Mr.. Lawrence was compelled to admit,
very much to the detriment of his pres
ent show of virtue, that he did take
$1,000 as back pay in 1866; but then,
''eYery other member did it, ;" and that,
of course, excused him. The laughter
that followed this sublime exhibition of
masculine innocence so perturbed the
mind of the advocate Of retrenchment
that he subsided after saying in reply
to a question from kellogg that he ''did
not remember taking double mileage
during the Thirty-ninth Congress"
Kendall cared nothing for popular
clamor and the comments OF news
papers-not he. He'd gotten back pay
and was disposed to keep it.
Then followed running cross-fire he
tween Cox and Negley, under which it
was ascertained that each had drawn
large sums for which they had rendered
no equivalent in public service; that
Negley had drawn $1,000 more than
/ Cox, and that Cox believed that he was
"as valuable member as Negley.r
More Congressional laughter came in at
this crisis, aud the dispute ended in the
proof, from confessions wrung from
each, that both We're guilty, as has been
the case in all masculine monied ma
nipulations connected with the Govern
ment up to this writing.
Wilson, of Indiana, didn't see why a
man mightn't be pure and good with
the back pay in his pocket. He had
some, and never felt better. He said
Lawrence had taken back pay in &c,
and OF course the analogy was that
Wilson might in 20 and .. This accu-
sation and excuse is only another proof
that men are only boys of mature
growth, and need their mothers to
settle their disputes as badly now as
they did when, As school boys, they
stole each others pocket knives, alleg-
ing as valid excuse therefor that
"Other boys did it,"
Mr.. Lawrence, being cornered, said
that he objected 10 the grab because il
was so big.
Mr.. Dawes wanted To know how big
Lawrence. thought it ought TO be >
lSome more laughterl.
Mr.. Wilson said the people had de.
manded the repeal of the bill; they had
a right to demand it, and in Difference
TO their views it should be done.
Lamson considered himself worth
$500 per annum.
Starkweather thought 5000 splendid
pay.
Lynch thought the the salaries for the
next Congress ought to be cut down,
but they ought not reduce their OWL
salaries. More Congressional levity.
O'Brien moved that the salary be
fixed at 5000.
The House at this juncture adjourned
to take drinks, and otherwise rest itsell
from the arduous fatigues OF National
Legislation.