Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-16


tee of conference. Some years ago, during
the Thirty Ninth Congress, being upon the
committee of conference TO which this sub.
ject was referred, was induced to take
somewhat active part In increasing the
compensation of members from $4,000 to
$1,000 year, making reduction at the
same time of one half of the mil cage previ-
ously allowed. 1 supported that increase
because l thought that circumstances de-
manded readjustmelst Of the mileage fea.-
ture of the compensation of members, and
because l felt that the average and aggre-
gate pay of Congressman b. I'd ceased to De
sufficient as Compensation for their SER
vices and expenses. vsa
We did it during thu first sea' sion OF the
Congress, however, and in adyA nce OF an
election which was then approaching. we
went before the people upon that question
In a bold and manly way, and the people
of the country, as l confidently beL'eVeo
they would, Endorsed our action so far as
that question became in any way test ole
in the election. But On this occasion / feel
that the subject is surrounded by different
circumstances altogether. have from the
first been opposed to raising this question of
the increase of our compensation during
the present session in any form whatever.
Mr.. Dickey.-How are you on next ses.
sion?
Mr.. Niblack, of Indiana. That is not the
question before US. But / will say TO the
gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.. Dickey]
that am opposed to any substantial in
crease of the compensation of members in
the present emergency, either, for the pre-
sent or next Congress, for the reason that
among other thiEgs for a majority of those
who come here the compensation is but a
secondary consideration. A large majority
of those coming here can live decently upon
| the amount of compensation they now re-
ceive. This is especially true of gentlemen
| from tie interior and rural districts. The
| number, therefore, which are really in need
of more pay and are fairly entitled to it is
comparatively small If we make the in
crease proposed, gentlemen in the first place
will only spend more money to get here,
| and in the second place, when they get here
| they VIII spend more money in living while
here. We can get along deeently without any
increase of compensation. Therefore think
| it is better for the country, better for QUIZ
selves, better for the politics Of the country
| especially, better from every standpoint
!. from which can view The question, that
vo, -hould allow the matter of compensa-
to-, n main as it is for The present. 1t
d. eoaT, :. me most extraordinary indeed
TO vo Ss@ onrssivos back pay for the past two
wears when we have already received the
Commentator allowed u BY law; Others
may do this, but cannot an, ! WIN noe.
But aside from these views, a, seems 10
me that this is most uuseemly aAa I'M
propitious time to thrust this question ~ on
the House and upon the country. The
events of the last few months have not
been favorable to Congress as body in the
public estimation. l regret that it is so,
but the fact Is undeniable. Then, too,
we are just out of q canvass in which
retrenchment and economy have been
the watchwords. The business OF the
country, too, in many portions Of it is very
much and pecuniarily depressed. / do feel
compelled, as | have from the first, TO op-
pose this increase of our compensa-
ton or to make anything like a gene
raj increase Of the salaries of the
officers of the Government in any of
the Departments. | feel 1t but fair to say
if we do make any increase anywhere
there are great many subordinate officers
ofthe Government, especially clerks in the
Departments, both male and female, who
certainly need an increase in their compen-
satio much more than we do. Aud if /
should vote for any increase would insist
that they sheuld be included. In this cate
CORY 1 would also include many of the
the heads of bureaus and divisions. Sir, if
made any discrimination it would be in
favor of these loW-salaried and subordinate
officers and employees.
regret to be in conflict with gentlemen
who feel the other way on this question,
and especially with leading members on
both sides of the House. But, impelled by
sense Iof duty, 1 feel that must oppose
this bill so long as it has In it this increase
of salaries, and win, for one, continue this
opposition to the last, even if it shall result
in an ultimate defeat of the bill and the
calling of an extra session. am prepared
to make my opposition effective in what
ever way honorably can. l arr not de-
tered by any threats or fears of an extra
session. / regret to oppose any general
appropriation bill, but cannot consent to
have forced upon US in this way that which
/ believe is contrary TO public policy aud the
worse for us in the end.