National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1873-08-14
THE BACk.PAY STEAL.

A "Grapkic'' Criticism or Gen. Butier's
Letter-His INTERCHANGEABLE Bold
ness-Ths Criticism Of n Political Opps-
scnt.
We extract tho following from the columns
OF the New York Daily Graphic. Many Of
the illusions to Gen. Butler will find hearty
response In the opinions Of the people at
large, and, coming as It does from an ac-
knowledged opponent Of the Republican party
and the Administration, 1t will be read with
more than ordinary interest, e..
Whatever may be said against Gen. But
ler-and good deal may he said with show
Of truth-he cannot be accused Of want OF
courage. There Is no cowardice In his con-
stitution. Perhaps this Is one secret OF his
popularity. Say what we please, people do
respect the manly virtues. A brave, out
spoken advocacy Of even an unpopular meas
ure wins admiration even from Its opponents,
and compcls respect when timldiiy would
provoke aversion. In this respect Gen. But
Ter resembles Stephen A. Douglas. The ILL
n 2, senator was not dainty gentleman.
Helackcd many of the qualifications of states
manship, and no church ever proposed to
canonize him as saint. But he had q cour-
age that approached audacity; and the bold,
incorporating energy with which he adyo-
Gated his pet measures In the face Of o pow
erful opposition made him the hero oil the
hour, and but for peculiar combination Of
circumstances would have made him Presi-
dent.
Perhaps no more unpopular measure has
passed Congress for the last dozen years than
that known as the back-pay act. General
Butler moved the bill In the House, and prob
ably secured Its passage. All the attacks
upon 1t have singled him out for special con-
domination, lie Is not terrified In the least
40 fhn all Ia IL
recent letter on the subject 10 characteristic
of the man. II boldly meets tho charge, and
certainly breaks the force Of the arguments
urged against the act. In fact, there 10 very
little argument In or behind the newspaper
clainor. No one has shown that the act was
unconstitutional or morally wrong. It has
the sanction OF two precedents-one In 1886,
the other In 1896 Gene al Butler urges, with
something more than FEASIBILITY, that the
Congressmen Of those periods ara considered
pure and upright. We're we TO believe the
current newspaper comments, we should
think that all was virtue then aud all Is cor
ruption now. But the men who voted for an
Increase of salary then, and took the money,
were not assaulted as Salary Grabbers, and
back-pay steal II their act was patriotic,
we fail TO see wherein the conduct Of the
congressman In question Is censurable. II
they were honorable statesmen, how comes
II that the men who voted for an increase Of
salary last spring arc thieycsi
''The truth Il, this whole dcnunciatIon Ia
pure d1magoglsm. II Is kept up to create a
prejudice against certain men who are more
or less obnoxious, and the President, who
sanctioned the act. High salaries In repub
lie are always unpopular. The Incomes of
the majority are small. They cannot see why
men In office should fare much better than
themselves. An increase Of salary on the
part Of officers always 0xcites prejudice.
And portion OF the press, instead Of trying
to educate the public sentiment up to the
point Of paying the full value OF ohlcial ser
vices, has appealed to and inhamed this yul-
gar prejudice, and Is carrying on crusade
against score or two Of Congressman In be-
half OF popular meanness, and In spirit ten
times more ,lemagogical than anything they
condemn. The services Of any man who Is
ut for seat In Congress arc worth ten thou
sand dollars a year Mt least. To pay him much
less Is to oblige him TO make sacrifice the
country has no right to require, and perhaps
to run In debt The stronghold Of the lobby
Is the pecuniary needs OF Legislators and Con-
gressmcn.
"ft Ia because these men want money to
meet current expenses that they are tempted
TO listen to the beguillng proposals Of rival
interests and claims. Pay them what they
are justly entitled 10, and we should hear
next To nothing Of influencing legislation
with gifts and lubricating Congressional ma |
chincry with greenbacks. So long US human |
nature remains what 1t Is, II Is vain to expect |
the highest order Of talent In Congress or the |
highest order OF service fronPour Legislators |
until they arc adequately paid for the labor |
that Is required OF them; and according to |
established precedents each Congress must |
decide for Itself what compensation Its mem |
hers shall receive. There arc only two |
courses for U.S. either to adopt the English |
system and pay nothing, or adhere to the |
truly Republican system and pay our Con- |
gressmen what their services ought to be |
worth. We hold that the latter Is the better |
way, and are glad that the last Congress had |
the courage to do what Its predecessor ought |
TO have done, but did not dare do"