Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1873-06-11
THE CHRONICLE.
For the Chronicle.
THE CONGRESSIONAL SALARY
INCREASE.

Congress on the increase-salary clause
in the legislative appropriation bill ap-
peared in the CHRONICLE, 1, for one, nat
urally presumed that it would create
some argument as to the souEdness OF
Mr., Garfeld's premises in the natter
The whole thing was of nature to be
criticised; it being published as an ex-
planation of the causes Of his action in
the progress and contamination Of that
memorable enactment.
That statement appeared in the CHRoN-
IcLE of April 23d, and it had, apparent
", the effect of bringing the minds Of
most of his constituents to the conclu-
sion that If the General had erred in his
action and final vote, he, knowing him
self to be totally unable to successfully
resist this movement, had at last un-
willingly consented to it in order
to avert what he considered then, and
what I firmly believe the future will
show, a far greater eYil, namely an ex-
ira session OF Congress. The political
journals of either party coincided with
this view Of the case, and ian unusual
thing failed to attach any strong CEN
sure Of his course.
Up to the 2lst Of May not a word in
the shape of a reply TO his statement, or
an attack on the positions he had as
sumed, had appeared in the county pa
pers. In the CHRONICLE of that date,
however, appeared letter signed "one
Of His Constituents" It bore the i'm
press of q fifth-rate lawyers hand-a
pitiful, pettifogging article swapping up
every trihing quirk in Mr.. Garfield's
letter that could be distorted into viz
tual salf-condemnation of his course
Had Constituents communication
bean a fair, honest article, one possess
ing sound logical argument, it would
undoubtedly have called forth reply
from the gentleman representing the
XIXth Congressional District Of the
State Of Ohio, as it might-and probably
would-have been considered chal-
lenge to meet the writer in the contro-
versisl field. But it is not a fair, honest
criticism. On the contrary it emanates
from Pecksniffian heart and mind the
whole tone and tenor and spirit Of Dick
ems immortal personiication Of sancti-
fed goodness and virtue without and
nelfshnsss and meanness within per-
ysdes the article from "stem to stern" T"
Every salient point in the shape Of "a de-
nial or attempted refutation is based up
on and covered with garbled excerpts
from Mr.. Garheld's remarks made dur
ling the course Of the debate. 1t is an
insidious attempt to make appear by
these excerpts that Mr.. Garfield was
really at heart in favor Of the increase
salary, that his explanation was an in
genious piece Of sophism calculated tc
blind his constituents, and that they
would so have been blinded and Mr.. G.
again taken in favor, If it were not fol
the wonderful sagacity and remarkable
shrewdness Of this particular "Constit-
uent" who arrogates to himself the pcs
session of all the brains with which tina
portion Of the Republican party lyint
1
! al District is-supposed to be endowed.
lido not purpose entering into any ar
gument in reply, as none is needed; bu
to sustain my assertion that the spirit o
Mr.. Garfsld's remarks was purposelI
omitted by " Constituent"-for certain
Iy such a comprehensive mind coul'
never have overlooked anything so ap
parent-I refer to the record; an exam
instion Of which, I think, would be sui
fcient to establish the fact that our Rep
resentative did all that laid in his powe
} to prevent the addition Of the Butle
amendment to the appropriation bill.
Constituent" says: "Mr. Garheli
tells Us how persistently he opposed tn
salary increase; OF the struggle an,
, lengthy debate, in which he had born
his full part"; and then quotes fror
Mr.. G.'s remarks made on the Sth, 10th
and IIth Of January, on the proposition
to increase the pay Of the journal an
tally clerks, and invites US to notice HOY
: that opposition ran.
HIf these salaries are to remain raised
there is a certain inequality in allowin
others to remain where they are. 1 d
] not know whsther this particular amend
e ment ought to pass or not"
"Ifthese salaries are to rsmain raised
5 then there are a large number Of person
: in the employment of this House, who's
salaries should also be raised"
I 81 insist that we should do one Of tH
] things: we must either level them a
up, or else leave them where they wer
We cannot justly raise the salaries iIhil
i. hare already been raised without rsisir
those now proposed, and many Others
} He then says, "How much credit
! due to Mr.. Garfield for opposing the il
crease Of compensation of these lahore
he admitting at the same time that
did not know whether it ought to be il
creased or not-I will not pretend to say
but 1 do much fear that the reasons gi
en- and arguments by him used we
well calculated to pave the way for a T
u vorable reception for that which was
come"
Yes, and in order to make it appear s
he takes a few disjointed sentences
above, and interpolating the adjecti'
"naay" in the last sentence quoted
him, attempts to make it foreshsdow {
. future salary increase Of the member
But this specious reflection will not d
Twill quote for his consideration the 1
mainder Of that speech. commencil
where he leaves of with the italicis
words, land [Hdny] othero":
j. "And L have been instructed by {
Committee on Appropriations, and
structed unanimously, to lay this befc
the Committee OF the Whole with the
quest that they vote down all these pl
posed increases Of pay for the officers
the House.
81 submit these views of the Comm
d tee on Appropriations to the Commit
of the Whole, and throw the respon
al bility upon them. The Committee
Approximations have felt consideral
embarrassment on this question. Tn
. desire TO deal literally with the ono
Z OF the House, but they are more des
Gus to desl justly. We ask the Co
Iy. mittee Of the Whole not to agree to Il
amendment, and in that case VI will {
deavor in the House to effect reductio
in all cases where the salaries have be
raised in committee"
Now can "Constituent'' see how mu
credit is due to the Committee on
Dronriafions of which Mr. Garfield y