The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-05-30

Tx remarks Of Senator Chandler upon tie
proposition recently pending IN Congress to
increase the salaries OF members, with his re-
plies to the questions put him, discover the
real gist Of the whole question. He announc-
ed the only wise and proper policy for all per-
sons who propose to be honest IN their mode
OF living 1t is principle which has been at
tested by the universal experience and approx
ed by the soundest judgment OF mankind.
The question as to what is a competent sum
for the maintenance OF an individual is one
that is wholly relative and cannot be determln-
ed by consulting the desires of Indulgence.
a man who cannot live on five thousand dol
larH, for the very same reason might not be
able to live on fifty thousand.
The idea which seems to be entertained by
some honorable gentlemen that from the SIM
pie accident OF their being chosen to q seat in
Congress, they must live like nabobs, whether
they have the means 20 do it or not and that
IL they have not the means themselves, they
ought TO be furnished with them out Of the
public treasury, seems to be a step III advance
OF anything we have yet had on the subject Of
political economy in this country. Now it
seems 10 us that this is an entirely false prn-
cple of judgment; that it IS perversion of
the very germs OF our republican simplicity.
Members OF Congress are not chosen for the
purpose of vieing with each other in extrsva-
gance of display and high living. They are
chosen TO do the legislative business OF the
country, ard the principle on which they are
compensated should be not principle Of social
emulation, or OF pageantry, or parade. but one
Of an entirely business character, which will
secure to them a fair and Just remuneration for
labors performed time spent, and services rem
dered.
This can only be determined upon the prnci-
pie Of supply and demand, just as any other
class of labo. or service is estimated,
I. may be said, however, that something is
due to the dignity OF official position. and that
on this account the high officers of the Gov
eminent ought not to be placed on the same
footing with ordinary kinds OF labor. Now, it
Ia true that there is dignity and great response
bliity in these Offices and that 1t Will be sad
day for the Republic when there shall be no
longer felt for them a sincere respect in the
these Offices become mercenary the very mo-
Inent they are made the means Of af1luence
and indulgence, from that moment they will
be regarded no longer in the light Of probity
and honor. but they will begin to be sought
simply for the profits arising from their emolu-
ments, while the primary design oY their insti-
tuition will become Of secondary or perhaps OF
NNt-lz Ia Fror ff
our Government will become simply an engin
for enichng the few az the expense of the
many.
Now there is among us powerful tendency
to this OWL Very few are the conspicuous ex
amples Of republican virtue in this respect.
Very few are the men in public life among us
who have the moral courage to live within their
means WHOM those means do not enable them
to emulate the hospitality or the high estate Of
others WHO possess larger resources aud more
commanding fortunes. There is, consequently
d continual struggle and scramble on the part
OF those who have not thls muniiicence OF
wealth by some means OF other to acquire il.
The aspiration TO onulence becomes insatiable,
and men grow reckless a. TO the methods by
which il is TO be gratldsd
There IS, as il seems 10 u, but one doctrine
that can cover this whole subject and that Ii
the doctrine Of cons.-teucy-the doctrine O.
self-iushce. Letnomsu dare to lay upon him
self an exactiop which 10 can not meet; let no
man place himself ID The way 0; temptation
which he can not resist. II member Of Con-
gress finds that he can not justly and fairly
afford 60 bear the bnrden or duty which the
Office imposes, If he cannot justly and fairly
meet the proper expenses OF the position, let
hun resign the Office and so into some business
or avocation where the demands upon him will
be less imperative and less onerous.
But on the other hand, there is duty of the
people TO deal justly by their representatives. in
office. 1t belongs to the people in their pri-
mary meetings TO canvass all questions OF this
nature aud to inform themselves. so that they
may have az intelligent conception OF what is
right in the premises. And we hold that the
proposal foI any iscrease OF salary or oompen-
saton for official services OF their representa-
lives should come first from the people them
selves. But, il the people are ignorant, or
selfsh. or negligent in matter, what can they
expect but to wake up some day, when it 10 too
late, TO find that a mischief has been done
which rs without reparation2