The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-12-16
Pay of Public Services.
CREDIT MoBILIER-TuE NORTHERN PACIFIC
RAILROAD.

ray oil Public services.
CREDIT MoDILIER-TuE NORTHERN PACIFIC
RAILROAD.
Much has been said and written in
relation to the increase of the salary Of
Congressman last winter. But little,
that is said, has reason in its support.
The only fault in the Law was its relating
back to the commencement of the session.
If the increased salary had commenced
at the passing of the act the measure
would have found abundan. justification.
Unless men are sent to congress, who
need the situation as a mere hospital in
their shiftlessuess--a reasonable COM
pensation for their services, will be, what
they could earn in their ordinary busi-
ness. And there is no reason why, in
country like this, that public services
should be left to support themselves, as
works of patriotism or charity. Conf
dence is a great conservative power in
the State; why then should public men
be left to the suspicion of providing for
themselves by indirect means. where the
law fails of giving them an adequate sup
port? Outside of the back pay the act
increasing tho salaries Of members Of
Congress and Cabinet officers aud Justic-
es Of the Supreme Court was the most
manly act, that has emenated from Con.
gress for years. Any one acquainted
with the tipancial burdens imposed on
these public officers, from which they
cannot escape, will admit the necessity of
the act as to the future,
Some Of your readers may remember
how Matthew Lyon was driven out of
Vermont to Missouri, for having voted
to increase Congressmen's wages from
sir to eight dollars day. But the iusti-
6cation of the act was shown by its con-
tinuance for near halfa century. 1t was
found indeed that eight dollars day,
left most of the members of Congress who
had not private fortunes to retire in
poverty. think Horatio Seymour Of
your village. was in Congress from twelve
to eighteen years; but on his retirement
the burdens Of poverty rested on this
model political patriarch TO the close of
his days. Hon. William Slade did not
save dollar, by serving in Congress for
twelve years. The writer of this, had
brief opportunity to know. how every
little puppy in the village, used to har-
rass him with demands for pay of little
bills for groceries, shoes, and the like !;
just on the day he was to start for Wash
ington. Slade with all his popularity
with pro-savery politicians, was one Of
the most brilliant men of his days. Ahead
of his time, he doubtless was but as a
pioneer in the great events that have
transpired he has left name to be hon
ored in history. The day has almost
come when it would be safe to write the
biography Of his public life. But the
pains of poverty under which he dis.
charged his great public duties, except for
illustration as in this article, might as
well be forgotten. Though the fact, that
he finished his labors on earth, as agent
, of an important charitable enterprise
leaves the inquiry if this were personal
necessity with him, or grateful service
to his country in furtherauce Of his view
, TO nave UoUu
Solomon Foot though he received the
tribute of $4,000 monument from hi
!, grateful admirers, am not advised if h'
left money enough to buy pair of gray'
stones after near thirty years OF publl
= service. Horace Everett who served II
t, Congress, is said to have died in poverty
!, Elias Keyes, vulgar rustic of rock,
Stockbridge, was the only Vermont ma
II Of his time that could really live on HI
!, pay as Congressman. a hundred 9th
4, ers, sons of the Green mountains, hav
laid down their lives in the fullness q
3, years, crowned with the honors OF tn
Of public service, while they scarcely lei
t, red, to cover their eyes, or as "token
to mourners.
IS, With all the righteous icrvor of new
s, Aedged Congressman succeeding the "sal'
ry grabbers," it is safe to predict thi
II, the law will not be repealed, and thi
h, these righteous iudignants will seek
nd public charity, on which to bestow al
part of their legal salaries.
II. These matters of "salary grab al
10, "Credit Mobilier," have fulfilled the
e, Office in the cent of political parties, al
it is almost time when both will be taxi
[c. and fairly considered in view of the ex
ts, gencies that created them. Ames WI
or, the aid of Credit Mobilier, died with {
nd satisfaction that the great work Of
life and his age was accomplished. VIII
of Jay Cooke has fallen victim to
ID. humanity. in the rule of judgment ado
tn ted in Congress. The truth is, t
northern Pacific road obtained from Go
BIB, gress grant of public land, equal
ey, extent to all New England and N
md York, large enough for fair sized Eu
pean kingdom; which grant if the ro
on. is ever finished, and its managers are
FL. on their feet, will be greater curse
ill, the section than the payment for
yer. whole road by public tax. But W
of the land alone, the road cannot be bu
cd. though its early completion is of the Fl
ssa. importance to the country. Congr
,hi. will be beseeched for money or a be
ite- subsidy. This they should grant, only
condition that the company should S
Jes- render the lands granted to them, b'
to the government or so much In va
Wis., as will cover the subsidy at prices ii
BY the government for its alternate
tent tions. Thus great curse to the fut
ison may be removed and the road becom
blessing to communities to settle al
art its borders.
um. j. NJ. SrEARN: