Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-05-01
APROPOsi

The Rev. DR.. McAnally, editor Of
the st. Louis Western Christian Aduo-
cate, in the issue Of that paper OF April
23rd, gives his views editorially upon
matters and things, pertaining to Con-
gressional retroactive pay.
For the benefit of some of our critics
who have taken occasion to join issue
with us in some remarks we have
made, we give the Doctors article in
full, and they will doubtless recognize
the propriety of our so doing, as it
comes from distinguished brother in
the church, to which some of our
critics belong.
It may be that the Reverend Doctor
renders himself alnenable to not a very
rigid observance of the Scriptural
injunction of "judge not least ye be
Judged" yet his moral vision appears
to be SO clear upon the subject that he
does not hesitate to run the risk Of
giving his opinion and exemplitying
it by an exceedingly pat and search
ing illustration. Here is what the
Doctor says:
Most, or all of our readers are
aware that just before the adjournment
Of the last. Congress, a bill was passed
increasing the pay of the members, and
also with a sort of retrospective char
acter which gave to each member q
handsome sum by way of back-pay.''
"The papers generally have criticised
this proceeding very severely. Some
Of the members refused at the first to
receive it, and others who did receive
It have since distributed it to benevo-
lent purposes. Very little Of such dis
tributtiOn, however, was made until
much had been said by the papers
against the action of Congress In maxi
ing the appropriation. These benefac-
tions, under the circumstances, remind
Us Of d certain action on the part Of one
Snyder who lived q little east Of a
place called Mount Airy, then in
Wythe County, Virginia. Snyder
was quiet, good sort of man, but
subject to fits Of derangement or In
sanity, during which he usually inn
sgined himself to be the ruler of the
universe, and would often proceed to
hold the day of Judgment and pass
sentence upon his neighors according
to his own likes and dislikes. He was
the owner Of little country mill for
grinding corn; two Of his neighbors,
John and Jake Fulwilder, had In part
netship p mill also. Between these
and Snyder, there never was too much
good feeling, thus verifying the old
adage: /" Two of trade can never
agree." Ono day when Snyder was a
little more crazy than usual, and par
ticularly mad ct the Fulwilders', he
perched himself upon some elevation
aud proceeded, as he said, to hold the
day Of Judgment"
He first tried the Fulwflders, and
convicted them of taking to much toll
by their own confession, and consigned
them to the left hand emit de goats. ;"
Now said he, Il tries myself. Jake
Snyder, stand up! Jake Snyder, what
has you been about in this lower
world ?" "Ah, does not know" "Vell,
Jake, did you not have mill?" 'eYas.
I had . mill" "Vell, Jake Snyder, did
you not take too much toll? ?" "Yas,
ven de water vas low and de mill
stones dull did take leetlc too much
toll, but den I alpdys did gice 1t to Ge
poor" Then, after considering awhile
he added, "Jake Snyder, you may 60
to de right hand init de sheep, but it is
tight squeeze
The reader may make his own ap-
plication. If these men can get clear
of the odium attached to the manner
in which the money was receiv ed, by
giving that money to the poor, it will
be emit a tight squeeze"