Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-12-09
rIIE pREsrDENr AND HIS sALARy

THE PRESIDENT AND HIS SALARY.
The whole question Of the salary
grab, Presidential as well as Congress
sional, was before the people for their
consideration. and vas passed upon in
those States IN which elections were
held during the fall. Every Democrat
ie Convention that was held, from
Maine and Massachusetts to Minnesota,
spoke out in words of unmistakable
condemnation. The resolution Of the
Ohio convention, held on Aug. 6, em-
braced all additions of salaries in the
following words:
Resolved, that we condemn, without
reserve, the act of Congress granting
additional salaries as unitst and UNI
justifable, and demand lis Immediate
and unconditional repeal, and we de-
nounce every member of Congress,
whether Republican or Democrat, who
supported the law, or received and re-
tanned the money procured thereby;
and we especially denounce theconduet
of President Grant in using the inhu-
ence Of his high position for its passge,
and whose official signature made it
law"
On this distinctive issue, an issue so
plain that none could mistake it, the
Democratic triumph in Ohio was
achieved. The Pennsylvania conven-
ton, held on Aug. q, first rebuked the
impudence of a salary grabber who
sought to preside over it's deliberations.
and then adopted the above resolution
verbatim. AS a consequence we re-
corded falling off in the ensuing cleo
ton of about 100000 from the Repub-
lican majority Of last year. The New
York convention, on Oct. 2 went furth-
er, displacing a back-payster from the
State Committee, and adopting the fol-
lowing resolution:
1--WE condemn and denounce the sal
airy grab, and all Congressman, Demo
cratic or Republican, who voted for it,
or who have. not renowned all share in
| plumber seized for service. already done
and paid for. We condemn and de-
nounce the Presidents signature to the
bill, which clinched this iniquity and
which gave $4,000 to each Congressman
while procuring 100000 for himself
after Congress had Just refused to IN
crease his salary; and we demand its
repeal
The verdict of the people in those
States where elections were held was
overwhelmingly against the salary
grabbers, and it il folly to pretend that
the President was excepted. The in
struction to Congress from these States
was, Enthusiastically, Repeal yourwhole
salary law" Now how is this demand
met by the Republican majority? The
outgivings of spasmodic virtue are thus
far limited to Congressional salaries,
with hints that the back-pay is the only
'unpardonable SIM and that the ad-
dition to their salaries at an epoch
when the prices of everything are fall
ing and the whole business Of the coun-
try seeking is a specie basis,will be left
intact. Some are seheming for a COM
promise with outraged taxpayers on a
basis of $4,000 a year, with restora-
ton of the franking privilege, mileage,
postage and all the old perquisites'
But never word have we
heard yet from these Radical leaders
in Congress about the chief grabbeI
of them all, the man whom the late
James Fisk, Jr., denominated "the ma
tional hog" Grants increase of sal.
airy was not only the largest in amount
SIS, 900 against S2,500-but it was a
net increase, which the others were not
While Congressman lost various per.
quisites, the President lost none. The
following list of the President's per
quisites, which continue with his pres
ent salary, was given on the floor Of the
last Congress by Mr.. Hubbard, of New
Hampshire, and passed on the record
| cbaIIanorad.