Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-05-14
The "Salary Grabn Considered.
WA.nlNaroN. D. O. NIny 10. ]

Of such papers as have an honest regard for
truth, justice, and impsrtiality, to give the
question a sober, second thought, and with dis
passionate reason to review it in the light Of
precedent and admitted facts
No subject was ever placed before the people
by the press 50 unfairly, and with so much dis
torton, as the action of the late Congress in
Increasing their own salaries.
The WArciMAN, contrary to It's usual
Thoughtful and consistent habit, joined the al
most universal deuunciaton, and thus far par
ticipatod in misleading the public. Knowing
its character for fairness and impartiality, |
am encouraged to present few views upon
the question, opposed to those heretofore ex-
pressed by it, but which know are entertain
cd BY very many Of the most thoughtful and
unimpeachahlc Senators and members Of Con-
gress--even among those who voted against
the increase, and have since refused to sppro- |
PIRATE it to their own use.
The senseIess hue and cry raised against the
measure, was started from here by less than
dozen fellows, styling themselves journalists,
who represented the large metropolitan jour
mails, from which the smaller papers throughout
the country take the news, and very often their
opinions
These newspaper correspondents not only
assume to form and direct public opinion, but
to dictate the policy Of parties, to control legis
lation, and with a sweep Of their pencils to
make or unmake public men. 1t was thi.
newspaper syndicate that defeated Colfax at
t.I
nation to Wilson. 1t j. this newspaper army
that constitutes the most powerful aud dica
torial Congressional lobby. Senators, members
Of Congress and other officials of all grades
stand more in fear OF this score of pressa agents
than Of the whole forty millions Of the Aluer-
can people besides.
There were two reasons why they sprang to
the telegraphic keys and their pens to assail
Congress for increasing its own compensation
First, the late Congress was undoubtedly less
under the control Of the lobby than any Of its
late predecessors. The number, magnitude and
recklessness OF the lobby schemes pressed upon
the late session, were such as to defeat them
selves, and few were successful. The disap-
pointed lobbyists were, therefore, in inst the
frame Of mind to pitch into Congress and Con
gressmen upon any pretext. NJ better one
could have been given.
Second, these lynxeyed correspondents never
omit an opportunity to make sensation.
Such an one is rare, and could not be neglect
ed By keeping steadily out Of sight all facts
Ijustifying the increase, and by persistent mis-
representation 70 its extent and character
they succeeded in drawing into the column OF
assault nearly the eutre newspaper press OF
the country, and Of conveying to the people the
impression that their representatives had done
very extrayagant and dishonest thing in in
creasng their official salaries.
They were denounced as thieves and robbers,
who had stolen from the treasury the money
thus appropriated, without any excuse or justi-
fcation for the act. The trainers Of the con
stituton provided that Congress should, from
time to time, fix the compensation of its own
members right which it has often exercised
as we shall see by glancing at the history of
legislation upon this subject.
Congress, IN the last ucek Of its first session
passed an act, approved Sept 90, l7s9 fixing
the salaries Of Representatives and Senators
at Sc per day actual attendance, and SO for
each twenty miles Of necessary travel. Ibis
act also provided that from and after March l..
1885, the compensation should be s. per day,
and s. for each twenty miles of travel. An
act approved March 10, 1896, repealed the
81 clause, and reduced the rate to Sc, as be.
fore. This remained unchanged until March
10, 1916, when the rate of So per day was
changed to $500 per annum, the mileage re-
naming at SO for each twenty miles. On the
9th of February, 1917, an act was passed re-.
pealing oil acts upon the subject, TO take effect
at the close of that Congress; thus making it
necessary for the members of the next Con-
gress to serve for nothing or to fix the rate of
their own compensation
An act was accordingly passed by the next
Congress-approved january %, 1918, proyd-
; ing compensation at the rate Of IS per day and
S. for each twenty miles travel, and was made
retroactive, extending back to March 4, 1871
Here legislation upon the subject rested until
the 10th of August, 1855, when an act was
passed changing the mode Of payment from So
per day to $4,000 year. with mileage as Re-
fore. This act, like the recent one, toas made
20 ,oce ''ss '''D' iD's'D :"
A., 80 600 ~ voc psss'u 'ii'i' Asi"s
$500 " S''0VC pef year 90
:, Nv .'"",'.'"'''''" y 'e Oorg't'S
49, ~ ~ - 80 o'' ''a' "iu !. nun, 0nuer
ave- Wv "''0N"' pD'' ior ini'eugo over
a. Wv ' ~'Ss' .Apense,i 9ons'''u'eu
'"V O'''N'1' 'ss'lp'9 VI ''' inenn-
s"Ie - sum- ''"''' " i''0'e 'i'"n
~. s~'
a. ~, 49, eOp'''"'' VI W
~ 50 200 pao''.s W p'"s%'i0" ~ 'ne
- r.. ~, 80" 1ND D',1- .sP'"'eS "
: ,,s'.," r's'c "m' ''Oo poi sn'
- .,1,,S ".' ~" =" a''v"anVe ior
$3.50 s'','S', 80 ~ "'',n0e.s Vi 'he
80, 80 w" vrae'eu ~ '0' a'o"ins even
=, ~, MI Ill.,. =.
~, e., ~. ., ~" .'a' Nons'ess uas not
.a,;~. '"'' ~, I'M 's''9''' ''s own com.
psaaS"',,a. as ,t W.. @e'su circumstances ana