Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-03-14

The Malay brhb ptioit tnt itoPit.
The first considerable assemblage of Re-
publicans that has occurred since the pass
age of the salary bill, WIS the Convention
of the First Congressional District Of Con-
necticut Its action was significant of the
popular sentiment in regard to that mea-
sure. The President of this Convention,
General Pratt, who is an ex-member Of
Congress, in his remarks on taking the
chair, condemned the increase in the strong
est terms. We quote from report of his
remarks:
Z" He commended the action Of Gen. Haw..
4 ley in opposing the raising Of the salaries OF
members. He said the men who voted Tor
| the measure were no better than thieves.
| (Applause) He denounced Ben Butler
the prime mover in the scheme, as pad
man The cognomen Of Beast Butler,
applied 10 him in the South during the
war, was just. He continued 10 denounce
| his action and those who supported him IN
| this business in the strongest terms, the
convention applauding after his strong de-
nunciations. He went back some forty
wears in the history of Congress, and spoke
| of the time when the pay Of members
was raised TO four dollars day
Only two men who voted for that
increase were returned by their con
stituents. and those were Richard VI. john
son and Henry Clay. The latter maze
especial appeal 10 his constituents not to
throw him overheard for one mistake, and
the other a very popular man, ana elected
at first by a large majority, went back with
very small one. In the 33d Congress,
which had the longest session he believed
on record. sitting till late in August, the
entire compensation Of a member he thought
did not exceed ), 500. The raising OF the
salary to SIS. 900 for a Congressional term
was not called for by the people. Nher-
ever he had been in the district men OF all
parties condemned it universally. lie had
vet To meet man who said II was right.
lie said the carrying through OF the measure
was piece Ola yOice-as the General
hesitated for a word make II strong,
eneral')-yiIlainy applause
The convention. after nominating Gen
Hawley unanimously by acclamation, for
reelection, adopted a series Of resolutions
reported by an able committee, which after
expressing profound regret at the recent
developments at Washington, and the eyi-
dences Of a deep political and commercial
immortality in the affairs Of the Union
Pacific railroad, the Credit Mobilier, and in
the undue-and retroactive increase Of sal
aries, proceed a. follows:
ResalreG That the tine has come ia Congress and
In the country for cher and purer political tone
Tor the prompt pun snment and dis grace e uniath-
ul public men. and that 10 part sanship shall
h'ch has been freely extended 10 them; that We
" D asst the demoraliza OF corporations and
y D support no man FOR Office who is not free from
the faint o. jobbery.
Retohed, That the bin recently enacted by which
salaries have been unduly increased should be re-
pealed and We request our next representative IA /
Congress O. use bis best efforts 70 that end
Another resolution approves the course Of /
Cen Hawleyi in hi " fearless denunciation |
Of unjust schemes and unjust men. and his
opposition to all improper increase Of sala-
-ies." With such platform and candi-
late, We DO not think the Republicans Of
he First Conn District need fear to 20
INTO the election. And a. fast as the people
an find opportunity to speak, We think it
viii be in the same tone Of deep Indignation
Il the unexpected increase of salaries. and
iemand that the ill, 50 far at least as it
fleets the salaries OF Congressman, shall be
epealed.