Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-11-22
LEGISLATIVE DEBATE.

approving and condemning the passage
OF the law by Congress, increasing the
salaries of the members thereof and
demanding that the members of Con-
gress who received the back pay either
refund the same or resign their seats.
Mr. Butcher-I do not intend to OBJ
iect to that resolution. | am rather as
tonished that it should come from the
source that it does. | would rather a
mend the bill to the effect that the
President is more guilty than any man
that voted for or received the SALARY
grab" / admit that the President Of
the United States is the biggest salary
grabber of all the rest Don't take your
poor members of Congress, but go to
the fountain head and am with you.
Belonging as ! do to the loco-foco par
ty. unless you include the President, |
cannot vote for the resolution. DO not
bear down too hard on the small fry,
but give the main grabber your atten-
ton.
Senate Joint Resolution 80 was re-
ported by Mr.. Summers.
Mr.. Snyder, Of Monongalia-1 thank
God that | am not so low down that L
will not rebuke dishonesty i'll high as
we'll as low places, and | would like to
know if the President is the Congress
of the United States
Mr. Bradford-The President signed
it and without his signature it would
never have become a law. | am glad
to know that my distinguished friend
from Jefferson is willing to favor this
resolution. l make this motion, not in
any spirit of party feeling, but as one
that affects the general and material in
tcrests of the country.
Mr. Reynolds-I am somewhat as
tonished at the want of liberality Of
my friend from Jefferson. While l
might after hearing this subject discuss
ed, coinside with the views OF my
friends, l am opposed to hasty action i'll
this matter. | do not undertake to de-
fend General Grant. That is not my
purpose at this time. We might, with
the same consistency hold Governor ia
cob responsible for the present legisla-
ton. We have run General Grant Of
ten enough and don't pretend to say
that he is infallible.
Mr.. Brown-I regret that any such
resolution should take any political
shape whatever. Sir | have heard this
same one man power charged against
the present Executive of this State. L
am certain that whether General Grant
would have signed or vetoed the bill
that ne wouldnot have been free from the
opposition of the gentleman from Jefter-
son. Had he returned this bill TO Con
rress he would have been charged
with improper motives and judged ac-
cordingiy. | am willing in the abstract
to condemn the whole thing. But
would request my friend from Monon-
gala (Mr. Snyder) to let this matter 60
over until tomorrow.
Mr.. Butcher-I object to this resolu-
ton going over until tomorrow. L
cannot consent to that as the resolution
has been debated. My friend from Ma
son (NIr. Reynolds) said something a
bout the one man power. l did not eX-
poet anything of that kind from him.
1t will be remembered that the Hon.
Mr.. Brooks, ofNew York, was haunted
to his grave by the phantoms OF the
Credit Mobilier, while the smiling
Schuyler was revelling now in opulence
and weath.-Include the big salary
grabber with the little salary grabber
and am with you. Why say that
these poor little men merit such condlgn
punishment while you allow the main
thief to escape. 1t is not right. The
man that steals a penny violates one of
the laws of the land, while the million
air goes free. The biggest salary grab
Der of them all is President Grant. If
he is master, let us say nothing but If
he is our servant let us condemn him.
Mr.. Reynolds sorry that can
not do this subject justice. We seem
to have departed from the good oldrule
that supposed a man innocent until
found guilty. / am opposed to this
reckless way of proceeding. | am OPP
posed to this indecent haste. Let us IN
this matter manifest some little mod
Grafton.
Mr.. Brown should not have said
anything further, but for the fact that
my friend from Mason, (Mr. Reynolds,)
defends the action of Congress in taking
the increase of pay. In old times, the
wages of Congressman was IS per
day, and might name long list OF
illustrious statesmen, who served their
country for something like $4,000 per.
year. They had no Credit Mobllier.
They were honest. For General
Grants course in this matter have no
apologies to offer.
Mr.. Butcher-Include General Grant.
Mr.. Brown am willing to take
them all in. l think that We ought to
have more time. | do not apologize
for any one that had anything to do
with the passage of that bill.
Mr.. Campbell-When the Legisla-
ture does anything it should be done
intelligently.-The reason that | sng-
pest the amendment is because of the
fact that it is not sufficiently explicit.
Mr.. Thompson-Mr. Speaker, I'M
derstand that our representatives in
Congress are requested to either pay
back the money or resign.
Mr.. Snyder-I would like to state to
this House the reason that prompted
me to offer that resolution. | have
u.L. Gov q lopO time that ii was q