Wilmington daily gazette., 1873-06-28
The Back Pay "SaIaFy urab" De-
tended. g. III

The back pay salary grab has at last defender
Senator Carpenter, Of Wisconsin,, has undertaken
the Job which all other Congressmen have, up "a
this time, refused to attempt. Even Beast Butler
after promising to do so, had not the brass to at
tempt it.
Carpenter, however, comes to the work bravely.
No doubt he expects 10 be lauded by his fellow
members who indulged in the grab,
Mr.. Carpenter relies for his nam defence on
the fact that when the salaries OF Congressman
were raised on tEO previous occasions, the date at
which the increased pay Was commenced was
carried back. Here is what he says in defence Of
himself and others:
THB THEORY OF THE BACK PAYMENTS.
BY The act Of August l6, 1856, the eOmpensa-
ton Of Congressman was increased from s. per
day to 5000 per year, and was applied 20 that
Congress, thai is, dating bark 60 March 4. 1855,
nearly eighteen months. TIE pay was again in
act OF July 2S 1906 ana applied to that Congress-
that is, dating back TO March T. 1865, nearly six.
teen months In both these cases the increase OF
pay was somewhat criticised By the press, but in
neither case, 50 far as am aware, any objec-
ton made because the pay vas applied TO the Con-
grtas which voted IT, 1t is too clear TO require
elaboration that there is no difference in principle
in voting back pay for sixteen or eighteen, or
tWenty-iour months. If the doctrine, now con-
tended for, that member OF Congress is under
contract not to ineres his pay beyond the amount
Bxed BY Law at tie time be elected, be sound;
and II At be true as now contendsd, that any men,
Der who takes back paw is thief, then every man
WHO voted for er against back pay in any former
Congress, and Afterwards received such back pay,
is also q thief.
The people of the United States are not likely
to be humbugged by Sash an argument As Mr..
C'arpaneaR g. a
with the fact that the pay Of Congressmen was
ample, and were astOnished that men whe had
sought the position by day and By night: had de-
sired their friends not only to nominate them, bat
to Fight for delegates that would do 50; and even
invaded the Legislative body and bought yOtes, in
many cases with money, and the promise of the
bestoWment Of Office; that after this uen should
turn round and complain that they were not paid
adequately, is mOrtuying to the pride of most
honorable eitpsns. They do not resign, and say
they cannot afford TO hold the ufiee. On tn. con-
traiI they seek second nominations, and would
iain 60 third, fourth or 6fth time, to Congress.
Where is the Congressman that got poor on
5000 year-or more properly, $1,000 for nine
months service, third Of which time is spent in
his own indulgence
ASn =" no are NOT aOie 10 i've ana save money on
the pay as ii stood before the last increase in nine
cases out Of ten are not desirable for the position
They have not the talents, or lack the moral cour
age and temperate habits Of the best and brightest
men that ever serTed in Congress those who
gave faithful attendance TO the duties at IS day.
Nothing would please the people better than
that all the men who entertain the opinions of
II Jn. % Matt Carpenter would resign Let the
gentlemen who declare they cannot live on 5000
year, give way to those who can. We have il
from one who has experience in Washington life
that the talk aboal the cost OF living there Is all
fudge The expense is due TO the conduct Of
tue members themselves.
Calhoun, Clay, Webster Benton, Clayton and
a host Of Others, were con tent TO work for eight
dollars day during the sessions, and they were
never known TO appropriate hundreds Of dollars
worth OF small articles 10 their use In addition,
as is the custom Of the men who now require
from $40 to ssS per day.