Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-11-18
Spirit Of gefffrsoll.
oharle..orn. Jeaerson counts. Ee.. q.
TUESDAY MORNING, NoyEMB.ElRs is, 1873.
LEGISLATIVE DEBATE.


In the House Of Delegates, on the 29th
ultimo, the following debate occurred
Mr. Snyder, Of Monongalia, offered House
Joint Resolution No. 80, "Disapproving and
condemning the passage Of the law by Con,
gress, increasing the salaries Of the members
thereof and demanding that the members Of
Congress who received the back pay either re-
fund the same or resign their seats"
Mr. Butcher-I do not intend TO object 10
that resolution. i am rather astonished that
it should come from the source that it does.
would rather amend the bill to the effect
that the President is more guilty than any
man that voted for or received the .ssalary
grab" submit that. the President of the
United States is the biggest salary grabber of
all the rest. Don't take your poor members
of Congress, but go to the fountain head aud
am with you. Belonging as I do to the
loco>foco party, unless you include the Presi-
dent, caunot vote for tho resolution. Do
not bear down too hard on the small fry, but
give the main grabber your attention.
Senate Joint Resolution SO was reported
by Ntr. Summers.
Mr. Snyder, of Monougalia-I thank God
that am not SO low down that [ will not re,
buke dishonesty in high as we'll as low plsces -
and would like to know if the President ia
the Congress of the United States?
Mr.. Bradford-The President signed it and
without his signature it would never have be-
come law. i am glad to know that nv dis.
tinguished friend from Jefferson is willing 20
favor this resolution. / make this motion.
not in any spirit of party feeling, but as one
that affects the general and material interests
of the country.
Mr.. Reynolds-I am somewhat astonished
at the want Of liberality of my friend from
Jefferson. While might, after hearing this
subject discussed, coincide With the views of
my friends, 1 am opposed to hasty action in
this matter. do not undertake to defend
General Grant. That is net my purpose at
this time. We might, with the same cousis>
teucy hold Governor Jecob responsible for the
present legislation. We have run General
Grant often enough and don't pretend to say
that he is infallihle.
Mr. Brown-I regret that any such resolu>
tlon should take any political shape whats
ever Sir, L have heard this same one man
power charged against the presen, Executive
of this State. I am certain that whether
General Grant would have signed or vetoed
the bill that he would not have been free
from the opposition of the gentleman from
Jefferson. Had he retured this bill TO Com
eress he would have been charged with i1n>
proper motives and Judged accordingly I
am willing in the abstract to condemn tho
whole thing. But would request 10y friend
from Mononesli. (NIr. Snyder) to let this
matter go over until Tomorrow
Mr.. Butoher-T object 10 this resolution
going over until to morrow | cannot con.
sent TO that cs the resolution has !sou de-
bated. My friend from Mason (Nlr. Rev,
nolds) said something about the one man
power. did not expect anything of that
kind from him. It will be remembered that
the Hon. Mr.. Brooks, of New York, was
haunted to his grave by the phantoms of the
Credit Mobiiier, while the smiling Schuyler
was revclling now in opulence and wealth.-
Include the big salary grabber with the little
salary grabbcr and am with you. Why say
that these poor little men merit such oondien
punishment while you allow the main thief 10
escape. 1t is not right The man that steals
q penny violates one of the lava of the laud,
while the millionaire goes free. The biggest
salary grabber Of them all is President Graut.
If he is master, let us say nothing; but if he
is our servant let US condemn him
MIR. Reypolds- am sorry that I cannot do
this subject justice. We seem to have de-
parted from the good old rule that supposed a
man innocent until found guilty. / am OPP
posed to this reckless way of proceeding. I
am opposed to this indecent haste. Let us
in this matter manifest some little moderation.
Mr., Browu-I should not have said any,
thing further, but for the fact that my friend
from Mason, (Mr. Reynolds,) defends the ac-
tion of Congress in taking the increase of
pay. In old times, the wages of Congress-
man was So per day, and I might name long
list of illustrious statesmen, who served their
country for something like $4,000 per year.
They had no Credi. Mobilier They were,
matter I have no apologies to offer.
Mr.. Butcher-Include General Grant.
Mr.. Brown am willing to take them all
in. think that we ought to have more time.
do not apologize for any one that had any>
thing to do with the passage of that bill
MIR. Campbell-Whent the Legislature does
anything it should be done intelligently
The reason that suggest the amendment is
because of the fact that it is not sufficiently
explicit
Mr.. Thompson-Mr Speaker, I understand
that our representatives in Congress are re-
quested to either nay back the money or resign.
Mr.. Snider-I would like to state to this
House the reason that prompted me to offer
that resolution. 1 have thought for long
time that it was great thing to rub elbows
with some great hody, and we have followed
the lead of the Republican party until they
nave Ieo us nearly to the devil You are
aware thst am as good Republican as there
is in this House. offered this resolution in
good faith and am sorry that my esteemed
friend from Jefferson should say that it was
offered for anything like bnncombe. I must
say that condemned the President for sign
ing the bill, but to say that the bill could not
become law without the signature of the
President cannot assert.
Mr. Butcher asked him how it would do to
ask the President with all to resign?
There are now upwards of 20, 600 miles
of railway in operation in the United States.
and nearly 10000 miles projected and in>
complete. Were these projected roads fin