National Republican., 1873-12-18

THE QUESTION OF the salary repeal, so pro-
life Of discussion and the cause of perpetual
contention, eliminated yesterday in the adop-
ton of the Hurlbut proposition, which axcs
the compensation Of Congrcssmcn at "a, 900 per
annum and actual travelling expenses, but does
not molest the increased allowance of other
officers included in the act Of March 5, 1873.
When the House convened yesterday noon
the Kasson amendment, involving a general
reduction, had been adopted, but the bill proper
was still open to amendment, and conflict com
menced which only terminated with the annlhi-
lation OF all the original landmarks Of the de-
bate. First came the proposilionto to exempt the
Presidential Office from the sweeping repeal,
which was closely followed by the amendment Of
Mr.. Trcmaine TO exclude Cabinet ministers from
the scope Of the measure, but these proposi-
tons were rejected by immense majorities. At
this time Il was evident that general confs-
cation OF expcctsnt revenues would be involved
In return to the original Congressional salary.
While contcsting these points many amusing
incidents occurred which provoked laughter
from the members then intensely interested.
But the temper indicated q total repeal, and
an instant return 10 the old standard. II was
at this point that those foremost In repeal, over
sanguine and bent upon the most extensive
concessions to what they deemed public opin-
ion, permitted their opponents to grasp the
reins governing the prancing steed, and by
skillful driving urge II forward until Frustrated
by lengthy race, It was at last thoroughly
overcome. There existed an intense desire to
do more that equity warranted, or the people
"a anI hp ala tbttS IN inui aasJ
wrought the destruction Of the pile they were
endeavoring to rear. Not Content with per-
sonal reparation, II was first attempted to cast
a stigma over the last Congress by the enact
mcnt Of compulsory measure, which directed
the retention of u sum from the salary of re-
elected members sufficient 10 balance the
amount drawn as "back pay" In the last Con-
gress. This commanded support remarkable
for It's unanlmity, when u Il demonstrated that
the sentence passed. upon absent men was
more potent for evil to their character than
good could he accomplished through the pecu-
mary punishment allotted to sitting members
Tho tenlcncy TO excessive Judgment here
proved the destruction OF the enthusiastic re-
pealcrs. Following the practice just inaugu.
rated Of rel ronciivr punishment, General Bu'-
Ter again introduced 10 np.itc his amendment
to conippl the return Of all moneys re-
criyel by sAiiug mnmbcrs as shack pay,"
without reference to the Congress IN which tho
Increase was made. COut!icd IN tho same
spirit as tho Polnnd measure, II was n logical
sequence that defeat could not be It's fate with.
out an implied negative to consistent action
So II, too, was adopted, and the bill, now
weighted with ridiculous provisions, at last
reached cumhersomcness which rendered {;
Of doubtful utility to the people, and probably
an engine Of destruction TO particular inli-
yiduals. As the members had been hurried
forward from excess to excess, the position
was reached when single Retrospective
glance appalled, the observer, and a path by
which the return to reason might he effected
was nnxiously sought. Common sense sug.
,.rslel the acccptation Of The committees re.
port, without Its provisions relating TO others
than Congressmen. but as advanced ground
had been occupied in compliance with popular
opinion, 50 when retreat was ordered, the
line was ovcrstepred, anl the domain o.
personal hcnciit again wantonly invaded
| This was the unfortunate movement, and tn,
| one likely tn kindlc renewed hostility IN the
populaf breast. Calm and iispassionate coun.
sci could not govern the now dcmoralizcd
| House, and the dclusion became apparent that
reduction Of tho increased pay would prov,
as satisfactory as return tO the original figure
The continued onslaughts of the moderate.
minded mcn we're having effect when confidence
was again stimulated by tho bold aggressive
speech of General Butler. A mixture of Sar.
casm and cfIroncry, itt peculiar adap.abili;y tC
the moment was proven by the subsequent
action Of nrn content 10 allow pccuniary inter
est TO slaughter Judgment AMI gOOa name. Bu
they were still far from large majority. Tho
votes now coming close together were very
evenly balanced, and the slightest dcicctior
would destroy the progress then apparent, an,
accordingly an Instant test yo:c followed
when the Hurlbut proposition was accepted
yeas iJi, nays l30. As there may be ia tho
future a cry raisc as to the responsibility ro
this action, It is well 10 ,slatc that at the
termination Of the roll call the above figures
were reversed, but Mr., George NJ. Adams, OF
Kentucky, a Democrat, changed his vote, and
was, therefore, the instrument through which
| an increase Of i've huulrcd dollars was effected
This result was only accomplished after nint
hours contention. Trrrinly dcmorallzcd, thcr,
was an apparent determination to end Tho
matter, but unfortunately those most inter
cstcd failed 10 rrr on the sile Of the light.
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| TUE CONSERVATIVES of Virginia hav,