The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-09-26


credit is Of vital Importance. Let the caldron
of ''the street. seethe and bubble as it will,
so long as the government securities remain
firm and the commercial interests are un-
harmed. There will be little sympathy for those
who fall into the boiling liquid and disap-
pear from view; the country will be the
safer and the more respectable for their de-
struction. Their growth has been sudden,
their presumption offensive, their example
communicating their influence evil. Their
final exit is public blessing. With them
will depart all danger to the solid interests of
the country, still unframed, and strong in the
reassuring words of President Grant-''The
credit OF the nation must and shall be pre-
served"
The New York Republicans ON the
Back Pay ana Transportation
Questions.
The resolution of our late Republican State
Convention on what is Familiarity known as
the "back-pay grab" betrays labored at
tempt to satisfy the public opinion on the
subject, without treading upon the corns of
any of the members of either house concerned
in the scheme. The New York republicans
"do not charge this wrong upon either party,
although it was supported by larger relative
proportion Of the opponents than of the friends
of the administration, and although among
those who promoted it and those who were
conveniently absent when the votes were re-
corded were several members of the small
factions, who had recently deserted their
party under the pretence of unfounded
charges Of republican extravagance - but
still, while they do not accuse any party, the
New York republicans are in favor of a law
refunding to the Treasury all the ''back pay"
not claimed including that left untouched,
and our Senators in Congress are requested to
introduce and urge bill to this effect.
This is something but it has been extorted
by public opinion. 1t is reluctant con-
cession, and it does not cover the ground.
Precious little Of this Congressional back pay
not covered into, but not as yet drawn from,
the Treasury will be found there with the pas
sage of this bill. Nor is the simple recovery
of these small sums matter of any moment.
The offence to the country lies in the corrupt
ing and fraudulent example Of the members of
the two houses in voting themselves an extra
allowance from the Treasury after being paid
under contract for the Congress at the close
of which this scheme was pushed through.
This is not the first, although it is the worst,
of these back-pay bills, and the remedy against
any further stealings in this shape can be
reached only through an amendment Of the
constitution. All such halfway temporizing
expedients as that proposed by the New
York republicans ore mere electioneering de-
vices and practically can serve only as tub
to the whale.
On the transportation question the republic
can party of New York speaks more to the
purpose than on the back-pay fraud in its
Utica platform. 1t says that sit is essential
to the prosperity of the State of New York,
and especially of her commercial metropolis,
that all lines of communication with the pro-
ducing States of the West and the South
should be available for uninterrupted and adj
equate transportation at minimum rates." and
SO say we all; but then, we are told, as FORE
shadowing of the policy of the republicans,
that the coming Legislature in this view, as a
paramount duty, should act for the public
relief, and that Congress should put forth all
the power it may wisely exert in this direction,
not forgetting the claims of such lines as our
Erie Canal
We attach very little importance to this
cautious appeal to Congress. 1t is but gilt
tering generality for electioneering purposes !;
but this paramount duty of our Legislature,
as we understand it, is pledge from the
republicans that if they secure the Legislature
in our November election they will no longer
be the instruments Of powerful railway cor
porations, but the faithful servants of the
people on this vital matter of transportation.
Experience has taught US the folly of relying
upon party pledges but, as the time is al
hand when there can be no further treachery
to or triAing with the people on this question
of cheap transportation, we dare say that every
candidate for this coming Legislature will be
compelled on this test to show his hand in
advance of the election. We commend this
course to the electors of every Assembly dis
trict in the State.
The KING OF ITALY IN BERLIN. 1t is, We
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