The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-13
The Storm Raised by the Salary
Grab of 1873.
Butler, Brownlow, Carpenter & Co.
Speaking for Their Cause.
Congressman Lawrence Explains Himself
Before an Ohio Convention.
WILL TEE Law BE REPEALED 2
Expenses Of Housekeeping at the
National Capital.

General Benjamin F. Butler, an adroit and able
nan, has presented what appears to be formal |
defence OF the dsgr aceiul salary grab business Re-
,ognzing fully his skill and resources, 1t is not too
much to state that he has made poor hand OF the
business, but in truth it would be impossible for
any person. even one o hundred fold superior to
the Essex politician to satisfactorily justify the
retroactive clauses Of the bill IN question: General
Butler only touched upon what occurred in the
convention that framed the constitution Of the
United States; but had he quoted from the Fathers
of the Republic, whose words, undoubtedly, met
his eyes, 1t would be seen that they anticipated
and dreaded hundreds of the INSCRIPTIONS
and demoralized individuals who now find
sitting room In the capital at washington.
Senator Carpenter has preceded General
Butler in defending the salary grab, but
1t is painful declare that any cause receiving the
support of senator Carpenter must be furnished
and doubtful In what follows will be found his
tory OF the Congressional compensation question.
The increase of General Grants salary was called
for and to its augmentation there can be no objec-
ton. TO maintain the dignity OF the Presidential
Office, perhaps $50, 900 annually is even too small
THE QUESTION STATED
Being now on the eve of entering fully into the
political campaign of 1873 the time has about ar
rived when the people, from one end OF the United
States to the other Will have discussed before them
the merits OF political parties and the management
OF public affairs There is ore question, more than
any other to which their attention will be called,
and that Is the ne.arous salary grab
Of the Forty.second Congress, which Ben
Butler defends. They will have an oppor-
tunity OF pronouncing in an emphatic form
ON the scandalous job by which several millions OF
dollars were snatched from the federal Treasury
and divided among members OF the Senate and
also
have their attention called to other features OF the
scheme which introduced an entirely new mode
Of paying salaries, by which congressman draw
compensation before they render any services
whatever once before in the history OF the Re-
public has a similar question been brought before
the PEOPLE, to which reference will be made pres
emily, and the verdict was unqualified condemna-
ton and the political ruin OF nearly every man
who voted for what was universally branded as
Ubiquitous. II there were any doubts Immediately
after the passage of the Salary Bill OF 1878, so per-
slstently advocated and skilfully engineered by
General Butler, as TO what the judgment
Of the country would be on the matter,
such doubts have been long since cleared
away. The action OF Legislatures, the resolutions
Of party conventions and public bodies, the almost
unanimous denunciations of the press and the OH.
qualified reprobaton by the people On every Occa
sion that offered has placed the question ut rest
No member Of Congress who voted for the Back
Pay bill can expect ever 10 be elected again to a
position of public trust. General Butler may be
an exception. Who knows9
MORALITY OF tHE CASE
The action OF the Fortysecend Congress In vol-
ing So 900 into the pockets OF each OF its members
Just at the close OF It's existence, can only be &C
counted for by an inordnate greed for money and
an entire disregard OF public opinion. 1t has dis
graced for ever all those who taking advantage OF
the positions they occupied, participated In the
gross abuse Of an honorable trust. The mem.
bers exercised a power that could not fail
to rouse general indignation-a power which
no body OF men having the slightest regard for the
good opinion Of their fellow citizens should have
used. They had been paid for all they had agreed
to work for; their labors, such as they were, had
been ended but. having the authority, they de-
termined to enrich themselves regardless OF the
painest principles OF honesty. There Is no doubt
that the Forty second Congress possessed the
power to vote, at Its last gasp, increased
pay, but 1t was bound by the highest
obligations not to do so In favor OF back
pay for its own members 1t may be said
that it Is the poorest economy to under pay public
servants, and that II we pay liberal salaries that
Will command talent and integrity In high places
we shall make money by the operation, for the ser.
vices will be better and the percentage OF steanng
will be reduced; but even II this were true IL fur.
nishes no justification for appropriating to each
member, by virtue OF his own vote, $1,000 which
he has not earned and after being paid In full ior
all his services
PARALLEL CASE
There Is one view OF the back pay question that
nas no doubt been constantly before the minds OF
the people, What would be thought OF man
M MIR vaH aafa .f a mn fffn
Of trust, where he possessed unrestrained control
pf large sums OF money, who should, alter o two
lsssg nsasoCent. take away with him 5000 more