The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-09

Salaries OF High Government Omcials.
The report Of the Committee on the Judci-
airy of the House of Representatives, pre-
scented by General Butler on Friday, calls at
tention to a subject that is of deep interest to
Americans. It is therein proposed to increase
the salaries of certain high servants of the
people to an amount supposed to be adequate
to their position. For many reasons we
recognize it as n move in the right direction.
It is preposterous on the part Of a great
nation to expect men appointed to its highest
positions to accept pecuniary rccompense
below that of the income of the
moderately successful business man,
and ut the same time compel him
to meet expenses which would ruin his sal
aried equal In such positions the salary is
always o small part OF the sum necessary to
go decently, not to say with dignity, through
a term of Office. When the deficit cannot be
supplied from means accumulated before
hand, where is it to come from? This ques-
ton is suggestive, but we do not propose to
answer it. We know that Jefferson, whose
sensitive soul would not permit him to gain
the balance necessary to his expenses while
with debt-a victim to republican simplicity
1t may crafty certain rude pride that we
can afford TO make our public men pay for
their blushing honors, but it is very poor logic
to the student of poor human nature as it is,
not as it ought to be. General Buffers bill
b. {ho
from twenty-five thousand to fifty thousand
dollars. The change would, no doubt, be
welcome; but is it enough to cover the cost of
the entertainments expected of him? The in
crease of the Vice Presidents salary from
eight to ten thousand dollars is markedly in
sufficient 1t should be at least fifteen thou
sand dollars. We would guard the incoming
officer against the scores of small but fatal
speculations which his predecessor has been
obliged to resort to in order to keep his head
monetarily above water. With Mr.. Wilson'S
clear record this course seems to us absolutely
necessary. The salary of the Chief Justice
should also be increased to fifteen thousand
dollars from the ridiculous sum of eight thou
sand, instead of to ten thousand five hundred,
as proposed Men OF the rare legal learning
and ability of our Supreme Court Judges
should not be compelled to live on the earn
ings of q second-rate Special Sessions shyster,
and their salaries should be equal to that of
the Chief Justice. We cannot sec any reason
for the difference of FIVE hundred dollars which
the bill proposes between the Chief Justice
and the other distinguished occupants
of the Supreme Bench. The Speaker
Of the House should have salary
equal to the Vice President, as the bill
proposes. but fifteen thousand dollars is little
enough for either. Above all, we believe that
members of Congress should be shielded from
the temptation which small salary begets
To treat them as city railroads appear to treat
car onductors-naraely, giving them small
salary, that what they may gain dishonesty
should only go to make up fair day wages-is
| Ms shortsighted as it is deliberately immoral
| We mean to insist on honesty from members
Of Congress, and we wish to give them q fair
chance of being honest. The bill is rightly
intended, but it falls short of the requirements.
If it is necessary to do the right thing why not
do it at 0nee3 Tue Governor Of Jamaica