The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-03-27
[ From tie Congressional GioJe.l

Mr. Curpeater. The Senators from
Vermont may truthfully represent the
views Of their constituents. The Sen
atur from Pennsylvania Mr.. Scott may
truthtuIiy represent his constituents.
| have no right TO say they do not. But
| speak for i peopia living on the beach
OF the great lakes, on the wide pralries
OF tie West: people whose cheeks are
tanned by breeZcs which have come a
thousand miles; 4 people living on the
banks OF river which traverses "a CONT
nent; people whose views are enlarged
t. corrrsp spoud With the face Of nature,
with which they are familiar. They are
able, and expect to pay Tor whatever they
have. They expect to be served faith
fully, and are willing to pay compensa-
ton for the service rendered. They ex
pect, desire to be represented. They in
tend thai their Senators shall have as
much Influence III the national council IS
the Senators ofiauy State have;t and they
are willing to pay the necessary expense
TO secure this end.
v hat would be the practical effect OF
such social distinctions upon, the Senate
al must result from paying low salaries? :?
/ he old writers upon government say
that there Is but one way 10 have a re-
publican government, and that is to fix
the salaries Of public servants SO that
they VIII amount to compensation Tor
the services rendered Nobody claims
that the present salary ainouuts TO com
pen>atlon. The honorable Senator from
Peun>y ylvanIa says that no man comes TO
this Senate with the expectatlunstHat he
is TO be compensated. Why not? Why
should we not be cdiupensated !? Are we
the only portion OF these forty millions
of people who are to be slaves; who are
expected to toll for an inadequate COM
peusatlon?
Iur. Scott. Will the Seuator permit
me a question:? sg4sssss- -
M Carpenter Certainly. 2Z
M. Scott | need not ask the Sena
tor from Wisconsin whether he was not
aware of the law of 1866 when he agreed
to come here?
1H Carpenter Certainly; and l
was aware OF the power to increase the
pay. laughter and expected the s, n
ate had sense enough to do it. | knew
both things.
III, Scott. 1 wish to put practical
question: If the Senator did come here
with the view of increasing his pay ?
Nr. Carpenter. Yes. Laughter
| came here determined to DO what |
thought was right upon all subjects,
salaries included l have adv ocated an
increase of pay in every branch OF the
public service fer ten years. L have not
had the honor of being i'll Congress 50
long, but | have been Oh the stump in
this country ior ten years and | may
say, speaking of the people of the West,
that | know the public. pulse as we'll as
any man in the West. | have always
advoca ted grade of salaries amounting
10 compensation and my constituents,
when they elected me, knew that If
had been honest on the stump, | would
vote TO increase the salary of every pub
lie officer from the President down to a
constable. | tell you, Mr.. President,
that Is the true reformation tor our SER
vice hat this would reform il and cure
the abuses Lead US not into tenn pta-
ton is our prayer. Lead US not into
! t tmpfatiou should be tie end which
our laws should have.
The Senator from Pennsylvania ad-
mits that we are not compensated now
| He admits that We cannot bring our
families here and live as gentlemen. do
live in Washington. Then he admits
I that We poor fellows, we white trash.
must live on a scale entirely below the
nahobs of the Senate Well, Mr. Presi-
dent, it does not require any genius to
! see aud know that If you make these dis
/ crimInations in social lie. of necessity
/ you force just such Determinations upon
( the Influence OF men in this body. There
I is great snblimity undoubtedly in the
| idea of raising above al the accidents of
! human nature. looking at rhipgs in the
abstract, and regarding a ss.aa dressed In
2 as skins ,ercisey "a one dressed Ikea
gentlemen bat unfortunateHa the santia