New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-08
BUTLER DEFENDS BACK-PAY.

THE BILL ONE WHICH EQUAIIzED SUBMISSIVE
NEW SALARY NOT TOO LARGE - NEWSPAPER
ClAMoR THE CAUSE OF THE POPULAR FEELING
FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BILL ACCEPTED
THE VERDICT OF HIS CoUNTRYMEN CALMLY
AWAITED.
The following is the substance of letter
written by Gen. Butler to a constituent who inquired
his reasons for supporting the backpay measure. The
letter of inquiry is also gwen:
Cen. B. F. Bur1ER.-Ms dear Sir: Since the adjourn
ment Of Congress have notoed in some of me LAZY
bill passed by that body swinde and steal lor
which you are held 10 great extent responsible.
Some Of your constituents would he pleased to learn
OF the reasons which governed your action upon TINS
question, among them yours truly, -, u n.,oos
GIN. BUFFERS LETTER
Boston July %. 1872.
DEAR SIR The apology due for not sooner replying to
your KIND note asking the reasons which governed my
action upon the question Of the increase OF saarles 49,
that have not wished appear anxious TO attempt to
foresta opinion on that subject to rush to the de-
Tense of measure ought not have been attacked
II has never been discussed by its opponents, only
abused. and Congress denounced Ihave had however,
no fear but the just judgment OF the people, when II
could be reached would sustain It. and absove those
who voted for all wrong in action or intention SO
far as it relates 10 Congressman this bill has been en-
tirely msrepresented, II not misunderstood 1t does
not so increase the salaries Of members as 1t
equalizes them. Ever since the Constitution
adOptel the pensaton OF member OF Congress has
been in part in the form of mileage. In the time of
Washington it was fixed at thirty cents mile subse
Quently reduced. but always causing very great In
equality in compensation As the population of the
country extended ITSELF the mileage added largely TO
the emolunens the distant Senators and Representa-
ves while the facilities OF transportation by steamboat
ond railroad, especially il the member was comph'
mented with free pass. did not change the inequality
thu lagf ~ rrQaQ UkO
we're receiving nearly quite $500 as compensation
while Others were receiving only few dollars over ve
thousand.
The present bin abolishes all mileage and thus reduces
the pay OF some members quite so per cent while 1t
raises that like amount. Again. heretofore,
divers allowances were made TO members Of Congress
the shape newspapers stationery frankng prvil-
ege and other matters, which in the past have been
overdrawn and abused by the selfish and graspng;
all Of which we're cut of by this bill. and nothing
allowed except the actual certified expenses paid by the
members in getting TO and from the Capital TO show
tho OF this inequality In mileage IN the past take
1856 for example, when the delegate from oregon
received $1,000 and upward year for his
services while the member from Philadelphia received
little over $1,000 Thus you will see. my dear SIR that
there has been such addition TO the pay as has been
pretended public journals it being usually stated
therein that Congressman voted himself 5000
additional pay whereas the deduction Of mileage and
these allowances being made there has not been really
average, more than s1,OoO a year added, II so
much; but how much cannot exactly be known except
experience of the results to members in the eN-
TIE business OF their constituents tue member now pay
ing ms postage when addressing the Presl-
dent of the United States in the public service
THE NEW SALARY NOT TOO LARGE
am inclined TO think that this Of fact
must DO substantially new 70 you, and yet your letter
that you have read the newspaper denuncatons
Of the bill and their misrepresentation of its effect
You will naturally inquire why have not these self
appointed guardians OF the public morals given TO the
people fair and just exposition Of the facts instead Of
gross msrepresc ntatiOns OF themf You may well do
get through Will not pursue this branch of the sub
iect further because do believe the salary, in the
IusS led man, Specially When he Considers
that the services OF an efficient agent OF manu-
featuring establishment OF considerable amount Of
capital cannot be procured FOR less than $500 year,
and that 100 M psrmanen5 SITUATION %hie our fall-
presidents and churches an equal amount 10 their cer
OF their Interests worth as much as the least OF these
amounts IL salary Is 10 be reckoned compensation for
valuable services. viewed In the more proper light,
as simply adequate support of the member and MS
family, while doing his public duties Indeed, the
uncOntroyerted fact that no member OF the incoming
Congress Is reported to have refused TO take his
gresS TO dOwOud seem To imply that by them at least
III deemed proper and adequate amount only.
LITTLE FLING AT MINISTER wAsHBURNE.
letter appears in the newspapers purpOrting to
come from Mr.. Washburne Minister Of France upon
the question the sucency the salary of members
OF Congress, in portion Of which agree with him
far understand the language he 1t says
The people DO MT send their representatives TO Wash
Dgton To 1--we Ike princes PUCK the teer and Keep half
dozen mistresses' Therefore voted salary sui.
hcicnt to support the members family AT Washington,
guard him from temptation TO such multiplicity Of
inisreses. n Mr. Washburne's elegant innuendo is sup
ported by the fact the member should have his family
with him what exactly the Minister to France
may mean by the underlined phrase, "buck the
Tiger" lam quite uncertain. certainly never have
anything Washington that went by that name
during my years service in Congress. III the
minister familiar with it, it may account for the ab
Jty which he claims live a small salary STILL I
have not observed any objection part TO the APP
preparation of $4,000 additional, passed in 1871 the
d Of ne
France 1870, although that appropriation was
retroactive without this increase or bueking the |
tiger would little easier to live like a
prince and support family In Paris az $l7,5OO gold
than do the ia Washington $500, currency.
MEMBERS FRIGHTENED RETURNING THEIR BACK.PAY. |
In view OF these facts you say, Why, then do 80
many members OF Congress return their pay to the
Treasury now 7" have heard, more or less
apocryphaly that thirty odd out OF two hundred
and forty odd members Of the House. and thirteen or
fourteen Of the seventyfour members Of the Senate,
have done. The country may well thank God that
more of its public be frightened out of their
proprety by yituperatiOn and senseless eamor. For
repeat again. in my Judgment no man believes that one
of those who have returned their pay did IL for any
other motive than because he feared 1t would not be
popular and might endan ger his future take it, Nor
does this argue that they may not be good men, or
courageous action Peter, whose steadfastness as
on rock Christ founded his Church, who, oveEpowered
by numbers alone OF all the disciples drew his sword
in defense Of his master, and smote the ser
self among the servants OF PLATE, the unpopular
side, denied the same master for whom he mad
fought and who had wrought miracle 10 repair the
wrong he had done, until the cock crew shame ON him
thrice; then he went out and wept bitterly as those
nse they ibonSbt il unpopular will hereafter lament
what they have done. 1 am further lIDpelled TO say
this because have not heard Of one OF these gentlemen
who has refused 70 have his increased pay FOR the III
lure. | wish L could believe those who have returned
c,enee FOR they would have my highest respect
ever much might crlticiSe their acts by 50 dolhg
they have criticised my motives and Judgment IN
action and they must pardon me remark upon thers
NEWSPAPER cLAMoR THE CAUSE OF THE RETURN